Michael completed an undergraduate degree in Philosophy from the University of Sheffield. Since then, he has gone on to complete his Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP University, and he is now undertaking his final SQE exams.
Michael joined MWB in November 2022 as a paralegal in the Private Client Department.
Outside of work, Michael is a football fanatic and enjoys adventures with his dog Alan.
I graduated from the University of Sussex with a First-Class Law degree in 2024 and joined Mayo Wynne Baxter shortly after as a Paralegal in the Private Client team.
Before starting my legal career, I worked in various customer service roles, gaining several years of experience in client-facing roles. This background really sparked my passion for working closely with people and helping them through potentially difficult or emotional times, which naturally led me towards Private Client work.
What do you most enjoy about your role?
I really enjoy working with such a supportive team and getting to know new clients. I’m often involved from the very start of a matter, and it’s incredibly rewarding to help clients navigate what can often feel like a complex or overwhelming process. It’s a great feeling to know you’ve made a real difference in someone’s life by helping them plan for the future or manage the estate of a loved one.
What do you like to do outside of work?
In my spare time, I enjoy taking long walks with my dachshund and getting lost in a good book.
I began my legal journey as a legal assistant at a local firm in Cardiff, and from then on I knew I wanted to work directly with private clients. My time in the firm’s Deputyship team sparked my interest for working closely with individuals and families, helping make complex situations feel more manageable.
In 2024, I moved back to Sussex and joined Mayo Wynne Baxter’s Private Client team, continuing to focus on being able to provide clear, compassionate client care, honing my legal and people skills.
I graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2024 with a degree in Archaeology, and now I’m preparing to begin the Graduate Diploma in Law course to help me further progress my legal career.
I enjoy being the first point of contact for clients and helping them feel at ease from the very start. It’s rewarding to support them through their journey and see their matter through to the end. I also really value the collaborative nature in our team – it makes every day enjoyable.
Outside of work, I partake in indoor bouldering and love volunteering at museums, usually helping behind the scenes with exhibitions. I’m an avid follower of women’s sports team, especially women’s football.
Sarah is a Legal 500 recommended Partner who advises clients on all aspects of their wills, estates, trusts, tax and powers of attorney.
Sarah has over 11 years’ experience helping clients in all aspects of private client work from inheritance tax planning and asset protection, through to dealing with complex estates.
She advises a wide range of clients, with a particular specialism in helping the elderly and vulnerable who value her straightforward and down to earth approach. Sarah works closely with her clients to put in place the right legal structure to ensure their assets are protected and their best interests are met.
Sarah also regularly sets up personal injury trusts and advises clients who have been awarded compensation following negligence as to the protection of that award and the options open to them.
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.
Leanne achieved a First Class Degree in Law from the University of Lincoln, she then went on to complete the Legal Practice Course with Masters at BPP University.
Leanne joined MWB in July 2024 as a paralegal in the Private Client Department.
Outside of work Leanne enjoys baking, spending time with her and family and friends and running.
Lucie is a dedicated Paralegal with a passion for Private Client work. After completing a Law LLB at the University of Exeter in July 2023, Lucie joined MWB in November 2023.
Prior to joining MWB, she honed their teaching skills as a Mathematics tutor. This experience has fostered a strong ability to explain complex concepts clearly and effectively.
Since joining MWB, Lucie has been actively involved in the firm’s charity and social committees. She is also currently pursuing an LLM in Legal Practice with combined SQE 1 as well as working part-time with the Private Client team.
Outside of work, Lucie enjoys a variety of hobbies, including watching movies, reading, painting, and outdoor activities like kayaking, sailing, and road trips. She also have two beloved cocker spaniels.
I graduated from the University of Winchester with a degree in Law in October 2022.
Following my graduation, I began my Solicitor Qualifying Exams (SQE) this includes the required Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). As part of my QWE, my first job within the legal sector was in conveyancing.
After completing the necessary time in conveyancing, I moved on to the private client sector and really found the area of law I knew I could thrive in. It is truly an honour to work in private client. People trust us with handling their legacies, a legacy they have spend their entire lives crafting. The importance of ensuring that what they leave behind is distributed and cared for exactly as they wish is never lost on me.
I have now worked in private client for almost two years, and I look forward to spending many more years in this area of law. I aim to qualify as a solicitor in 2026 and remain in private client with my own cases and clients to care for.
When I am not working, I enjoy participating in many different water sports. I hold qualifications in rowing, sailing, and kayaking and I thoroughly enjoy spending my time at the beach or on the water.
Further to this, I am an avid reader and have since begun writing my own book. Becoming a published author has been an aspiration of mine since I was just a little girl, so I thought it about time I start to make progress on that.
I initially wanted to study computer science and psychology, but in my year out I worked for the Crown Prosecution Service and became fascinated with law. I sat and passed the Executive Office Board and exam when I was 19 and worked as a law clerk instructing counsel in the crown court.
I read law at the University of Sussex, followed by the LPC at Guildford College of Law where I discovered the law of trusts and equity and private client work.
I qualified as a criminal solicitor with the CPS, defended and worked for the magistrates’ court after which I was able to make the leap into Private Client work.
I worked for MWB over 20 years ago before taking a career break to raise my three children. I returned to work as a private client solicitor for a local firm in Arundel whilst my children were small.
When MWB opened their Chichester Office, I was thrilled to be invited to re-join them. Whilst the firm has changed and grown over the years, there are still some familiar faces. What has remained constant is their vision, passion and warmth for their clients and colleagues.
I have over 15 years’ experience in private client work and before I had children sat and passed all the STEP exams and was a member of STEP.
I enjoy helping my clients reach informed decisions in relation to their Wills. There is no such thing as an ordinary family or estate. The drafting of documents is easier than the decision making. I also understand that the administration of estates can be very traumatic and is part of the grieving process so try to shoulder the burden for my clients when I can.
At weekends I can either be found freezing whilst my daughter is ice skating, or in the summer scoring the odd cricket match for my sons.
Occasionally, when we can escape, my husband and I can be found at the theatre or walking in Arundel Park.
I qualified as a solicitor in March 2024 and I have over 5 year’s experience in Court of Protection work.
My role gives me the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable individuals who lack capacity to make their own decisions by ensuring their best interests are represented in decisions related to their property and financial affairs. I find the work deeply fulfilling.
I have specialised legal knowledge in mental capacity law and related legislation, including the complex legal principles related to decision-making on behalf of individuals who cannot do so themselves.
My ability to problem solve enables me to assist Deputies with difficult decisions regarding a person’s property and finances by proposing practical solutions and navigating intricate family dynamics to find outcomes in the best interest of the individual.
One of the most rewarding achievements of my career was when I lead a project to adapt a vulnerable client’s property to enable her to move out of a care home and back into her own home. The client was deeply unhappy in the care home, and the building work was all done during the pandemic, which added an extra level of complexity. It was lovely to see her back in familiar surroundings.
Outside of work, I enjoy unwinding by watching films, going on walks on the South Downs and running on the seafront in Brighton.