I completed my training from a firm based in London. After qualifying in 2022, I went on to specialise in Private Client and I am an Affiliate member of STEP. I am currently based out of our Lewes office.
I advise clients on all matters relating to estate administration and planning, trusts, taxation, Wills and Powers of Attorney.
I am pro-active and approachable with a keen focus on client’s needs. I enjoy working in Private Client and providing personal and pragmatic advice.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, travelling, reading and listening to podcasts.
Simon Baillie-Hamilton is a Partner and Head of the Rural Business and Property team for Mayo Wynne Baxter and has been with the firm since 2000.
Simon is a specialist agricultural solicitor who advises landed families and rural businesses.
With dual professional qualifications, Simon began his career as a rural chartered surveyor before becoming a solicitor. He previously worked for Strutt and Parker and regional law firm Thomas Eggar.
Simon qualified in 1996 and is recognised as one of the country’s top agricultural lawyers by the leading independent guide to the profession Chambers UK. He is a Chartered Surveyor as well as a solicitor and a member of the Agricultural Law Association.
At work Simon is particularly interested in agricultural property, development options and promotions, landlord and tenant matters as well as management and planning for landed estates.
Outside work he enjoys all sports and is a keen supporter of Lewes Hockey Club.
Melissa joined the Mayo Wynne Baxter team in November 2023 as a Paralegal in the Commercial Department.
She graduated with a Law with Criminology degree from the University of Sussex in July 2023. During her time at university, Melissa was part of the Sussex Law Society in the Pro Bono team. Melissa also partook in the Junior Research Associates Program in which she researched the impact of gender stereotypes portrayed within children’s books on adults’ later lives.
In the near future, she plans on sitting her Solicitors Qualifying Exam.
Prior to working for MWB, Melissa worked for various local law firms and gained a wide breadth of experience in commercial law.
Outside of work, Melissa enjoys traveling, running, and spending time with her family and friends.
Molly obtained her undergraduate degree in History from Canterbury Christ Church University in 2018. In October 2020, she achieved her LLM Law Conversion Postgraduate degree from the University of Brighton and has a keen interest in residential property.
She started at MWB as a Legal Support Assistant and then as a Paralegal in the Property department. She is now working in the Enfranchisement team.
Before working at Mayo Wynne Baxter Molly worked as a receptionist at a veterinary practise where her role was client facing and to provide excellent customer service.
In her spare time she enjoys baking, long walks and socialising with friends.
Nick is the Head of the Property Department; he specialises in all matters relating to residential property and has been in practice since he qualified as a solicitor in 1987.
Nick has practiced in his hometown of Lewes for the entirety of his career and joined Mayo Wynne Baxter in 2013. He has excellent local knowledge.
Nick is an expert in all aspects of residential property law and has considerable experience of guiding clients through the conveyancing process. In addition to his many private clients, Nick has acted for a wide range of larger clients such as property developers, local councils, and housing associations. Nick is a good communicator who strives to provide a quality service to his clients.
Outside of the office, Nick is a lifelong supporter and season ticket holder of Brighton and Hove Albion, a keen runner and a qualified scuba diver.
Paul is a Partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution department and is based in our Lewes office.
Paul specialises in contentious property issues including landlord and tenant disputes, rights of way, business tenancy renewals, dilapidation cases and boundary disputes.
In addition, Paul is able to assist with possession actions, whether the occupier is a tenant, licensee or a trespasser. He also advises on general and commercial litigation including contract disputes and professional negligence and heads up our fixed fee debt recovery team, advising clients on the recovery of debts.
His experience in advising a broad range of clients allows him to provide pragmatic advice that is always comprehensive and clear especially when advising clients on the likely costs involved in litigation.
Paul is a member of The Property Litigation Association and is noted as a key lawyer in the Legal 500 2024 – Real Estate, Property Litigation
What attracted, and keeps you in this area of law?
I began my legal career at a conveyancing company, which unfortunately just wasn’t for me. I came across an advert for a position in the probate department at MWB and, despite having no direct experience with the department, I got the job! I soon realised that helping people when they are most in need brings me a sense of fulfilment that helping people move to a new house just didn’t do. I have been extraordinarily lucky to work in such a fantastic department and I cannot see myself doing anything else.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every workday begins with a cup of tea and, usually, a catch up with my colleagues. I will then spend some time in client meetings, as face to face contact is important in building a connection with my clients. Afterwards, I will review my files and reply to emails, whilst usually speaking to a few clients over the telephone to keep them up to date with progress. As the administration of an estate can take anywhere between 9 – 18 months, I do get to know my clients and it is always a pleasure to hear from them.
What are your strengths and skills?
I have been told that I am able to take a complex concept and break it down into easy-to-understand chunks. The law of Wills and Probate is somewhat complex and often rooted in terminology from the 19th century. I enjoy being able to translate this into plain English.
I am also MWB’s representative sitting on the Lewes and District Dementia Action Alliance committee. I am working to build up the profile of dementia friendly business in Lewes and looking to develop my links with the local community to provide a safe and supportive environment for clients living with dementia and their carers.
Tell me about a memorable time when you have helped a client.
I received a call from a client recently. After asking a quick question about her matter, we talked for 20 minutes. At the end of the call the client told me that she was feeling very lonely following the loss of her husband and that talking to me had really brightened her day. I was touched that she had thought of me and that I had made a difference. This is an example of what makes my job worthwhile.
Outside of work
I enjoy running with Lewes Athletics Club and bouldering indoors in Brighton. I also have two Yorkshire Terriers that keep me busy when I am at home!
Lorna joined as Marketing Executive in February 2018 – as a veteran in marketing and the consumer services industries, she understands the importance of building relationships and great communication is for the constant improvement of a Company’s services.
Lorna’s role is to assist with the marketing to ensure that we communicate clearly with existing and potential clients, support the communications & business development strategies, raise the profile of the firm and attract new clients. The team also handles all corporate sponsorships, hospitality and media relations.
After completing a degree in Media Studies & English at Chichester University, she has been working within Marketing in various industries for over 15 years.
Coming from hospitality, events and recently an international recruitment company within the digital industries, she’s enjoyed keeping up with digital trends and the challenging ways that the industry has changed over the years.
She’s passionate about all things digital; “Digital marketing, marketing communications, SEO and especially social media; the way it constantly evolves excites me!” She is genuinely excited by creative concepts and enjoys working with the full spectrum of clients – big brands, small businesses and individuals.
In her spare time, Lorna enjoys spending time with her husband and children, running (mainly after her children) and she completed her first marathon in 2019. She also loves reading – almost anything!
She also volunteers / fundraises for her children’s school.
Louise specialises in commercial property at the Lewes office working alongside Simon Baillie-Hamilton on agricultural and rural property matters.
Louise can assist on a wide range of commercial matters including;
- Sale and purchases of land, farms, woodland, and commercial property;
- Transfers of part of a title;
- Easements and Wayleaves for rights of way, rights of access, and utilities;
- Auction sales and purchases including the review of the auction packs prior to the auction taking place;
- Commercial Lease matters for both Landlords and Tenants including Assignments (the sale of an existing Lease), the grant of new Leases, Lease renewals and the Surrender of a Lease;
- Drafting and amending Partnership Agreements and Deeds of Admission to a Partnership with a specialism in Farming Partnership Agreements;
- Acting on development site sales and purchases, with or without an Option or Conditional Contact;
- Acting for landowners on Overage Agreements; and
- Commercial lending (acting for both borrower and lender).
Louise works with a wide range of clients from small farming families and individuals to established companies and has a strong focus on building client relationships.
Outside of work, Louise enjoys spending time with her family and growing brood of cats. Louise also holds a British Sign Language level 2 qualification.