Cara joined MWB in Autumn 2024, bringing a wealth of in-house experience from her years at a multinational IT research company. There, she advised UK and EMEA-based HR Partners on complex employee relations matters. Cara later transitioned to an employment advisor role, where she expanded her expertise by working with small and medium-sized businesses, advising across the full spectrum of employment law issues.

Since 2018, Cara has focused exclusively on employment law, and she qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in September 2023. Known for her balanced approach, Cara delivers thorough, commercially minded employment advice, always keeping her clients’ needs and priorities at the forefront.

Cara is passionate about mentoring and is committed to supporting junior colleagues and aspiring lawyers. As a proud advocate of the CILEX route, she believes that a legal career should be accessible to everyone.

In her spare time, Cara enjoys relaxing with her dog, Monty, caring for her unique assortment of pets, and keeping up with the latest Netflix series. She also actively supports a local dog shelter, volunteering and participating in fundraising efforts throughout the year.

Having qualified in 1988, I then worked in London as a Solicitor specialising in Property matters for many years, I relocated to Sussex and worked for a large regional firm before joining the Property Team in our Eastbourne Office.

I am experienced in all aspects of residential property work including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, auction sales and purchases, re financing the granting of new leases and sales of part.

I have a loyal client following, and am friendly and approachable and I take a practical and common-sense approach to matters working with others to help transactions proceed as quickly as possible with communication being the key.

Outside work, I have a keen interest in aviation, travel and spending time with family and friends.

I am a family law specialist having qualified as a solicitor in 2007.

I have worked in the Sussex area since 2013.

Prior to joining Mayo Wynne Baxter, I was head of the family law department at a firm in Horsham.  I have also previously worked at a regional top 100 firm.

I support clients on all aspects of family law, including divorce, financial and children matters.

I adopt a friendly, calming approach and understanding what a stressful time this is for individuals, I work hard to provide an excellent client service during this difficult time.

I am a member of Resolution, a national organisation of family lawyers committed to a constructive and non-confrontational approach to family law matters.

However, where a more robust approach is required, I am a firm litigator with extensive experience of the court process.

My work attracts positive feedback from clients and peers alike. I have previously been recommended in the Legal 500 and Chambers UK directories.

The 2021 edition of the Legal 500 comments that “Marwa Hadi-Barnes is an excellent solicitor.  She is thorough and always give very practical advice.”

Chambers UK has said “Marwa is well regarded for her work on divorce and financial remedy.  A source describes her as informative, pleasant and kind.  She was on my side while maintaining a professional distance – a perfect balance” and “she is very efficient and good at giving realistic advice” say interviewees.

In my spare time, when I am not keeping my young son occupied, I try to fit in city breaks, Les Mills classes and the odd gig.

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.

Lee Hills is a Partner in both our Dispute Resolution and Travel teams having joined the firm in 2008. Lee qualified in 1992 and prior to his time with Mayo Wynne Baxter, Lee was a partner at another large regional law firm and was a part of its Litigation team, he also headed up its Liability Insurance Department and Travel and Aviation Team.

As well as having extensive litigation, commercial and regulatory experience of the travel and tour operating sector, where he is recognised as a ‘Leader in the Field’ by Chambers UK whilst maintaining a host of key clients including tour operators, travel agents, DMC’s, suppliers and travel industry trade associations, Lee is also recognised for his wider litigation experience including the defendant insurance markets where he is accredited in the UK directory, Legal 500. Maintaining a balanced and extensive portfolio of commercial and private clients, Lee regularly advises on regulatory issues, commercial and contractual disputes, particularly those with an international flavour and involving overseas jurisdictions liaising with his network of overseas lawyers when necessary. Lee is an accredited Mediator in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and a member of numerous trade and industry associations including being a Fellow of The Institute of Travel and Tourism and a committee member of The Travel and Tourism Lawyers Association. Lee is a regular speaker at trade and industry conferences and events and provides bespoke training for clients.

Chambers 2024 – Ranked Lawyer:

Travel: Regulatory & Commercial – UK-wide
Band 3

Lee Hills of Mayo Wynne Baxter defends travel agencies and tour operators against various personal injury claims, with a focus on road traffic accidents, gastric illness cases and injuries sustained on hotel premises. He is also adept at advising on a variety of regulatory and commercial issues.

Travel: International Personal Injury (Defendant) – UK-wide
Band 3

Lee Hills of Mayo Wynne Baxter defends travel agencies and tour operators against various personal injury claims, with a focus on road traffic accidents, gastric illness cases and injuries sustained on hotel premises. He is also adept at advising on a variety of regulatory and commercial issues.

What attracted you and keeps you in this area of law?
I have worked for MWB since 2008 having qualified as a solicitor in 1994 and I spent the years in between working in the personal tax department of various accountancy firms.

I moved into private client work to have more regular client contact and to be able to engage with a wider area of practice which includes drafting Wills and creating Lasting Powers of Attorney, to the administration of estates including the final tax and estate accounts.

As well as being a solicitor I am a Fellow of the Association of Taxation Technicians and I am a Full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I like helping others whether clients or colleagues and I take satisfaction from a job well done whether small or large. I also enjoy talking to people about why they might need a Will or LPA and I have done some local talks on these important matters.

What are your particular strengths and skills?

I am naturally organised, and I also enjoy puzzle solving and untying problems. I am good at maths and organising figures and one of my roles is to assist colleagues with the trickier estate accounts. My background in personal tax compliance also gives me a good basis to assist my clients and colleagues with aspects of income tax up to the date of death and during the administration of an estate.

Tell me about a memorable time when you have helped a client?

It is a privilege to talk in depth with our clients about their affairs or those of someone they have lost. When at the end of a client meeting a client says that it was OK and nowhere near as stressful or difficult as they though it would be, I feel a good sense of having helped someone.

What would your colleagues say about you?

That I am kind and gentle and a nice person to have around the office. That I am a good listener both to them and to my clients. And that I am good at accounts and tax and enjoy helping them out with these.

Outside work….

I love being with family and friends, my garden and running by the sea. I am also a self-supporting Church of England priest licenced to the Lewes and Seaford Deanery which means I could pop up in a church near you on a Sunday morning.

I am the Chichester Diocese Bishops Advisor on Self Supporting Ministry and I am also a member of the PCC of St Leonards and St Lukes Seaford, the Deanery Synod of Lewes and Seaford and Chichester Diocesan Synod.

I have worked in the private client department for over 20 years.

I started as an office junior, went on to be a secretary, an assistant and then decided to qualify as a Legal Executive.  When I started studying to become a Legal Executive I never thought that I would fall pregnant 6 months in, so I studied whilst raising my son, which was a challenge in itself!

I have recently (June 2023) qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive.  I feel as though through working my way up I have learnt many different areas and aspects of the job.

I like that I am able to help and support people when they are going through an extremely difficult time and help to alleviate some of the pressures that this brings.

Outside of work, I like to go on walks and spend time with my family and friends.

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.