I am a qualified solicitor with over 15 years of experience in Private Client work. I hold an LLB (Hons) in French and Law (1999) and a STEP Diploma (2003).
My expertise lies in Trusts and Estate Tax, encompassing a wide range of services including: Wills, Powers of Attorney & Deeds of Variation, Trust and Estate Administration, Accounts and Taxation and Personal Taxation.
I am dedicated to providing high-quality legal advice and support to individuals and families, ensuring your legal needs are met with care and attention.
After a career break to raise my family, I am delighted to be back in the legal profession.
When not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family and indulging in a good book or film.
I am currently based at the firm’s Seaford and Lewes offices heading up our specialist Attorney Affairs Team within the Private Client Department and managing a portfolio of Attorney Affairs; Estate Administration; Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney matters.
My experienced team undertakes general management of our vulnerable clients’ financial affairs where we have been appointed as Attorneys and also assists lay Attorneys in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities.
I have been with Mayo Wynne Baxter for over twenty-six years and contributed several years as a legal secretary before training and qualifying whilst working as a legal advisor. I am a proud CILEX Lawyer, having achieved a Professional Diploma in Law and a Professional Higher Diploma in Probate Law and Practice, Equity and Trust Law and Family Law and becoming a CILEX Fellow in 2012. I was promoted to Associate in April 2017 and Partner in 2022.
I am dedicated to building strong and trusting relationships with all my clients, particularly when working with the elderly and vulnerable community. I am passionate about helping people through difficult times and my starting place with clients is always to consider what I would want for my own relatives. I enjoy getting to know my clients so that all decisions can be based around their individual personalities and needs. I am a member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers and a registered ‘Dementia Friend’ via The Alzheimer’s Society.
Alongside client work, I am also a Wellbeing Champion for my colleagues and oversee learning and development for the Private Client Department. I am heavily involved with the firm’s trainee Lawyers and love watching new talent succeed and go on to do wonderful things in their careers. Outside of work, I’m mostly outdoors in the fresh air, balancing a busy family of boys with their various sporting commitments and a very energetic Spaniel, so it’s a good job I’m an organised person!
Rebecca is a Paralegal in the Family Department after transferring from the Property Department.
Rebecca studied Law at Brighton University and graduated in 2022.
Whilst studying she volunteered at Citizens Advice and she continues her charity work as a member of our charity team.
Outside of work, Rebecca likes running, baking and generally socialising with friends.
Melissa was promoted to the position of Partner in April 2020 and is Head of the Commercial Department.
Melissa acts on a wide range of commercial matters including;
- Sales and purchases of commercial property, both freehold and leasehold;
- Commercial landlord and tenant work (acting for both landlord and tenant);
- Secured lending (acting for both borrower and lender); and
- Asset sales and purchases.
Melissa is known for her proactive and professional approach to transactions. She grew up in and around Brighton and has an exceptional understanding of the local property market as a result. Her clients include a number of property investors with sizeable property portfolios, a large South East-based charity, and a Sussex-based social care provider.
Melissa joined the firm upon qualification as a Solicitor in 2015 having completed her training with a regional firm in Tunbridge Wells. She studied law at the University of Derby where she obtained her First Class (Hons) degree before studying the Legal Practice Course at The University of Law in Guildford where she achieved a Distinction.
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
I have joined MWB as a Paralegal in the Residential Property team in Storrington.
I have studied with CILEX part-time whilst working and graduated in 2020. I hope to develop my skills and knowledge with the view to becoming a Charted Legal Executive in the future.
Prior to joining MWB and transitioning ino Residential Conveyancing, I worked in Commercial Property starting in an administrative role before becoming a Paralegal. I worked predominantly with developer clients and gained valuable knowledge and experience during this time. I have always had an interest in Residential Property and recently decided to make the change and intend to build my career in this area in the long term.
For me, building and maintaining relationships with clients is important and something I put real emphasis on in my day to day.
Outside of work, I enjoy baking, the outdoors and spending time with family. I also fundraise for and support Asthma and Lung UK and in 2021 participated in an overnight hike of Snowdon in support of the charity.