Sally has been a legal secretary / assistant for 10 years in both Residential Conveyancing as well as Wills, Probate and Lasting Power of Attorney departments.
Sally was originally working at PR Vince Solicitors in Forest Row when they merged in 2013 with Mayo Wynne Baxter. She has completed Level 3 of CILEX and is now Law Associate.
Outside of work, Sally enjoys baking, arts and crafts and walking.
Michelle deals with residential conveyancing matters and specialises in relocation conveyancing. This involves acting for employees of large companies who are being relocated in and around the UK and sometimes further afield to places such as the USA.
She deals with the conveyancing aspect for those employees in their sales and/or purchases within England and Wales. Michelle has built up a good relationship with one of the leading relocation companies and their solicitors to ensure that these transactions go as smoothly as possible for her clients and prides herself in having made this relationship both a professional and friendly one.
Michelle is always happy to know that the relocation employees have been satisfied with the service provided especially when they then re-instruct her on future Conveyancing matters.
Michelle has worked in law for over 20 years and is usually based at the East Grinstead office, following her own relocation to the Sussex area from her home town in South Wales.
In her spare time Michelle is kept busy by her active son and enjoys family time with him and her husband. Michelle also enjoys attending various musical concerts with her husband and whilst not a sports fan does enjoy a good game of rugby especially when Wales are on form.
What attracted, and keeps you in this area of law?
After completing my law degree at Staffordshire University, I qualified as a solicitor in 1997. During my career I have worked in many areas of the law, criminal, family, litigation, and a short time in conveyancing. I never thought that I would end up in Private Client but now I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I really enjoy meeting clients, getting to know them, and helping them.
I specialise in personal legal issues including the preparation of Wills and the administration of estates after someone has passed away. I love figuring out that facts and figures, making it simple for our clients to understand the processes.
I am also a member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners. My Probate work ranges from giving relatives one-off advice to managing the whole matter through to the final distribution of very complex estates.
What do you most enjoy about your role?
What I like most about working in our Private Client department is that no two days are the same. Each client is different and each one’s circumstances are distinct. I love meeting new clients, helping them, and then getting to know them more over the years as they come back to change their Will, prepare Powers of Attorneys. And then meeting their children, who come in to do their own Wills.
It is such a diverse role.
What are your strengths and skills?
I am a good listener, compassionate, patient, and great at talking in plain English, helping clients to understand each step of their matter. I create comprehensive Wills for all sorts of situations including those that cover guardianship arrangements for children and Wills that cover complicated family structures.
Whilst mostly working from our East Grinstead office I regularly make home visits to clients who find it difficult to travel.
What would your colleagues say about you?
I think they would say that I’m approachable, helpful, always calm and gets on with the job. I think we all work well together as a team.
Outside of work
Outside work, I love to make the most of the beautiful Sussex countryside and enjoy long walks, and horse-riding. I also play netball in the East Grinstead netball league.
I qualified as a solicitor in 2001 and worked for Allen Ticehurst for 10 years before the merger with Mayo Wynne Baxter in 2012. My main areas of expertise are property litigation and employment law.
In terms of property litigation, I regularly deal with disputes regarding rights of way, boundary/neighbour disputes and claims for adverse possession, plus residential and commercial landlord and tenant disputes ranging from possession proceedings, service charge disputes and dilapidation claims. My expertise in these areas has been recognised by the independent legal guide known as the Legal 500 in which I am described as “highly experienced in contentious rural property work and commercial landlord and tenant matters”
On the employment side, I advise on everything from contracts and settlement agreements to unfair dismissals, redundancies and discrimination cases and am a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.
I also deal with contentious probate, company and partnership disputes and breach of contract claims.
Disputes can be distressing for those involved and the issues at stake are often of considerable importance. I find it very satisfying to be able to assist clients in achieving the best possible outcome for their particular case and to be able to support them through what is often a challenging process.
Outside of work I enjoy long country walks with my family, gardening and visiting National Trust sites.
Carol comes from South Africa and after finishing school in 1989 she started working for solicitors and has been working in property mostly since 1994 as a conveyancing secretary.
She moved to the UK in 2006 and worked in the commercial property department at Field Fisher Waterhouse in London, also as a legal secretary until she had her daughter in 2009. After staying at home for a year, they then returned to South Africa for 4 years and once again returned to work as a conveyancing secretary.
Carol returned to the UK in 2016, worked in Litigation and Private Client for a year, then re-joined the Property Department as a Paralegal. Carol is completing an apprenticeship as a Licensed Conveyancer and will hopefully qualify in the not too distant future.
When Carol is not at work, she enjoys time with her daughter and friends, and enjoys music, movies, exercising and travelling.
I am a family law solicitor specialising in divorce, finances and cases involving children. I also represent clients dealing with both pre and post nuptial agreements. In my practice, I also represent separating cohabitees in disputes relating to property and grandparents dealing with issues of contact with their grandchildren. I also represent clients seeking Special Guardianship Orders.
I studied Law at the University of Sussex and then went on to complete my Legal Practice Course at the College of law, Guildford. In 2004, I completed my training contract with Allen Ticehurst Solicitors and was taken on by the firm. I remained with the firm when it merged with Mayo Wynne Baxter in 2012. I was made Associate Solicitor in 2013 and then Partner in 2016.
With the sensitivity needed to handle difficult situations, I resolve disputes in a pragmatic and sensible way whether it be a difficult matter involving children or a complex high net worth divorce case. I ensure I deal with matters in a way that results in the best for my client and each case is dealt with on its own facts. I’m a member of resolution and therefore put emphasis on resolving disputes in a fair and efficient way, again handling such matters in a sensitive manner. A testimonial provided by a client stated: ‘Pragmatic advice delivered in an empathetic manner. Spot on!’
Unlike most family lawyers, I do much of my own advocacy in court, so clients are represented by an expert who fully understands their situation instead of relying on a separate barrister. I’m also acutely aware of the costs involved in the legal process and therefore offer clients fixed fees in respect of much of my work.
I am Head of our East Grinstead office. Deputy Head of the Family Department as well as being the firm’s Work Experience Partner and the Training Principal.
Outside of work, I spend my spare time with family, and I enjoy spending time horse-riding and being outdoors.
I am a Solicitor ordinarily based in the East Grinstead office.
In 2013, I joined Mayo Wynne Baxter and qualified into the Family department in April 2018. I obtained a degree from Sussex University, before attending the University of Law in Guildford for my Legal Practice Course, attaining a Distinction.
I advise on all aspects surrounding relationships including; divorce and separation, dissolution of civil partnerships, private children matters (including Special Guardianship Orders), cohabitation and pre and post-nuptial agreements.
I also advises clients in respect of Injunctive proceedings; Non Molestation Order and Occupation Orders.
Undertaking my cases in an assertive, sensitive and constructive manner, I assist my clients to consider the benefits and costs (emotional and financial) of any next steps. I’m mindful that each client’s circumstances differ and ‘one size does not fit all’.
As a member of Resolution, I am is committed to resolving disputes in a non-confrontational and constructive way, whilst also striving for the best possible outcome for my clients. I appreciate the emotional strain placed upon clients and pride myself on being approachable and understanding as I help my clients through the legal process.