I was introduced to the world of law when I joined a local firm as a receptionist in 2015. I have worked in the Private Client Department since 2016, 4 years of which were spent specialising in Estate Administration matters. In January 2022 I obtained a specialist Paralegal qualification in Wills, Probate and Administration with the University of Law, and I am currently studying towards my CILEX Professional Qualification.

What attracted, and keeps you in this area of law?

By nature, the work we do in the Private Client Department is highly personal and can arise from very difficult circumstances for our clients. I love being able to help see clients through these matters and to make the processes easier for them. The confidence our clients put in us is a great privilege and makes the work we do all that more rewarding. I have personal experience with Dementia and am a registered ‘Dementia Friend’ via The Alzheimer’s Society.

What are your strengths and skills?

I understand how important it is for our clients to have trust in us, and I always aim to build those trusting relationships based on empathy, transparency, and dedication. I pride myself on being organised, and I love a good spreadsheet!

What do you like to do outside of work?

In my spare time, I enjoy going to the gym, cooking, playing video games and keeping up with the football.

Jessica qualified in 2007 and specialises in private client law, more specifically trust creation and structuring, succession planning and capital taxation.

She is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners which is the most comprehensive qualification in the trusts and estates field and enhances her ability to give holistic advice to clients as a trusted advisor.

Before joining the firm Jessica was head of the private client department of a West Sussex law firm, having worked previously in the City and training with a regional firm known for dealing with landed estates and Sunday Times Rich List clients.

She regularly advises a variety of high net worth clients on trusts and complex tax planning solutions, whilst putting clients at ease by making the meetings congenial and friendly.

Outside of work Jessica loves spending time with her family and, when she has the opportunity, having a good gallop over the downs on her horse.

Jo has been at Mayo Wynne Baxter since 2012 and qualified as a solicitor in 2015. Jo is now a Partner as of April 2019.

She is based in the Lewes office and is the lead solicitor in the firm’s Leasehold Enfranchisement Team.  She specialises in residential landlord and tenant matters and has particular expertise in dealing with:

  • Lease extensions proceeding by agreement and under the LRHUDA 1993
  • Sales and Purchases of Freehold title by agreement, collective enfranchisement and via s.5 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987
  • Acquisition Orders, Vesting Orders and assisting with missing Landlord issues including applying to the Tribunal or Court where necessary
  • Purchases of freehold titles where you own a long lease of your property under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967
  • Lease Variations via s.35 and s.37 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987
  • Right to Manage matters
  • Deeds of Variation, Deeds of Covenants and Licence to Alter matters
  • Doubling Ground Rent Advice
  • Advising Landlords, Tenants, Residents Associations, Head Tenants and Management Companies generally on issues arising out of leases

Jo has excellent professional relationships with a number of valuers in and around Sussex, London and various other areas of the country.  She is listed in the LEASE (the Leasehold Advisory Service) practitioners directory and was instrumental in the firm becoming a member of ALEP (the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners).

Jo also works closely with the firm’s professional negligence specialists in assisting clients with potential claims against former solicitors who have failed to advise or given incorrect advise in relation to a lease, ground rent or other enfranchisement issues. She is also part of the wider Property Litigation team that focusses on resolving issues between Landlords and Tenants, Management Companies and other third parties in the most effective way possible.

Outside of work, Jo is a keen runner, enjoys gardening and going abroad whenever she gets the chance.

I joined Mayo Wynne Baxter in October 2021 as a Enquiries Executive.

My previous experience is in the financial and banking sectors, both allowed me to assist individuals and businesses in financial difficulty.

Empathy and a high level of customer service is essential during situations like these, and I thrived on the ability to give the best experience possible.

I’m very excited to be here at Mayo Wynne Baxter, where I can support people in a new way.

Outside of work my three cats demand a lot of my attention. But I also enjoy knitting, especially in the wintertime where I donate the scarves I make to local charities.

I have been writing varies novels for many years now and one day hope to be brave enough to try and publish one.

Qualifying in 1995, I am a Chartered Legal Executive with a varied background, spending the last five years specialising in private client practice.

I pride myself on my personable and friendly approach – understanding the importance of putting people at ease and appreciating that some people may feel anxious or stressed at the prospect of consulting a lawyer – often at a difficult time in their lives. I consider it a privilege to deal with someone’s personal affairs.

I have a particular interest and have experience of – professional and personal – helping people and families living with dementia.

Married with two grown-up children and a dog, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and regularly go to the theatre to see a play or a musical.

I have worked for Mayo Wynne Baxter since 2009, initially joining as a Legal Secretary before progressing to a Commercial Property Paralegal.

I hold a Commercial Property Paralegal Diploma and I specialise in simple land sale and purchases, first registrations, simple rural tenancy agreements and a wide range of Land Registry issues.

I work alongside Simon Baillie-Hamilton and Louise Trist and also assist them on their day to day matters.  I am predominantly based in the Lewes office.

In my spare time I enjoy socialising with friends, cooking and Mediterranean holidays!

I am a paralegal in the Private Client team, and have previously worked in the firm in a support role.

I have completed my Postgraduate Diploma of Law with the University of Law, and am currently studying towards my Solicitors Qualifying Exams.

My main role is to provide support for our lawyers and assist in a range of Private Client matter, including Lasting Powers of Attorney, Wills and Probate and Estate Administration.

What do you most enjoy about your role?

I enjoy meeting clients and learning about their lives and needs, and finding ways that we can help them to achieve what they want in the best way possible.

I also enjoy getting stuck into a set of estate accounts and creating a clear picture of the financial history of an estate administration.

What are your strengths and skills?

I always try to be as helpful as possible, assisting clients and colleagues with their queries, and working out the best way forward. 

What do you like to do outside of work?

I am tower captain of my local bellringing group, and also a qualified Duke of Edinburgh leader and assessor, so love spending my weekends outdoors up on the South Downs.

What attracted, and keeps you in this area of law?

I always wanted to be a solicitor so after studying in London and Paris, I qualified in a small high street firm in Shoreham by Sea in 1999.  There I had a taste of a number of different areas of law and financial advice.  After qualifying, I worked in financial services in London for a while but found I missed the personal connection with my clients, so returned to law at Mayo Wynne Baxter in 2003.  Writing a Will involves fully understanding what a client needs and preparing the right Will to suit them.  Helping a grieving relative navigate the probate process, and share their burden is an immense privilege.

What do you most enjoy about your role?

It’s a cliché, but other than my colleagues, the best thing about my job is my clients.  Every day is different.  Dealing with the loss of a loved one or contemplating one’s own mortality is hard.  To have a client say “that wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be” is a lovely feeling. I am currently head of the department and am enjoying being able to help shape the future of the team and watching the more junior members progress.   I work with a network of excellent financial and tax advisers and accountants to ensure that my clients get great all-round advice.

What are your particular strengths and skills?

Possibly strangely for a solicitor, I am good at maths and really enjoy preparing accounts, showing what funds have been received and paid out during the administration of an estate.  I take time to talk with my clients to work out what they actually want, to create the right Will, Power of Attorney or even to decide to do nothing. I like solving problems and getting things done. And I especially enjoy saving my clients from paying unnecessary tax.  When I decided to specialise in this area, I became a member of STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners which is a worldwide organisation of experts in this area.  I now sit on the Sussex STEP committee.  I am very positive, and passionate about the importance to everyone to have a Will.  I have done presentations in retirement and care homes, to charity supporters, to bank customers, and even to the WI to spread the word.

Tell me about a memorable time when you’ve helped a client

I hope I help all my clients, but some unusual situations do spring to mind.

  • I remember one client who was in danger of losing her house when her partner died unexpectedly without a Will.  We helped keep the family in their home.
  • On a number of occasions, I have visited clients in hospital to prepare Wills, giving them peace to know their loved ones will be supported.
  • One of my clients had over 100 individual shareholdings and certificates that we had to sort and sell.
  • One of the most complex I have been involved with as a gentleman whose uncle died without a Will.  His estate went to his sister, who sadly died shortly afterwards.  The uncle had 2 businesses, several shareholdings, and 3 properties.  At the same time, we are dealing with a claim that a fraudulent Will exists.
  • Recently we helped a local client claim heritage asset relief against Inheritance Tax, saving an important painting for a local museum.

What would your colleagues say about you?

That I am straight talking.  But I talk a lot.  And I will always try and help the rest of the team.

Outside of work

I like to spend time with my family and I even try to cram in a good book when I have the time!