HART BROWN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate, Trusts & Estates
Belinda is an Associate at our Godalming office.
Belinda has over 10 years' experience in advising private clients, specialising in dealing with a wide variety of matters including wills and testamentary issues, estate planning and the administration of estates and all Court of Protection matters such as Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyships.
In dealing efficiently with the legal processes, Belinda aims to put clients at their ease and by being sensitive to their situations, to provide clear advice in a way that clients are easily able to understand.
Belinda previously had experience at the Care Quality Commission, she has advised at the Citizens Advice Bureau and she has also represented clients at Court.
Carol began her financial career in Banking gathering knowledge in all areas of the banking system. She then moved into the HR Department of the Local Head Office to work on projects within the local area. She left banking to have, and concentrate on her family.
Following her career break she briefly returned to banking, but in 1996 changed direction and joined Hart Brown where she has found that her experience in banking and relationships made within the industry have proved invaluable to her role. In 2002 she was made Finance Administration Manager with responsibility for managing the legal cashiers and in January 2022 Carol was appointed the firm's Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA).
Her role is to ensure that all aspects of the firm's finances runs smoothly, making sure that at all times the firm adheres to the Solicitors Accounts Rules ensuring the safety of client monies. She works closely with the board on all financial decisions, and enjoys working with, and building strong relationships with both the banking industry and accountants.
Job Titles:
- Consultant, Commercial Property
Celia has a wealth of experience in commercial property and in particular in acquisition of developments sites, acting for both landlord and tenants on commercial leases of industrial units and offices and acting for landowners on the granting of options. Two of her most memorable cases have been the negotiating of sale of land at Battersea Power Station and acting on the acquisition and disposal of a major development site which included negotiation with the office of the Mayor of London.
Celia joined Hart Brown in 2007 and she became a consultant in 2015.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Residential Property
Debbie, who is a Partner, specialises in residential property. After joining Hart Brown in 1984 she quickly progressed through the ranks qualifying as a Legal Executive in 1996. She was admitted to the Fellowship in 1997. Debbie is well known in the Godalming area and receives high praise both from clients and agents who come back to her time and time again.
Her most memorable case was the purchase of a property for clients who were looking for a quick turnaround. It was a mere 3 working days from instructions to exchange of contracts.
"This is the second time we've used Debbie at Hart Brown, and yet again she has given us fantastic service. Shall certainly be using you again."
"It's a quick, efficient and friendly service - just right for the somewhat fraught process of buying and selling property."
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Member of Resolution
- Senior Associate, Family Law
Dimple is a Senior Associate Solicitor in the family law department. She qualified as a solicitor in 2007 after reading law at City University and has worked as a family solicitor in both Surrey and London. She joined Hart Brown in 2022.
Her practice involves advising on all aspects of family law and in particular the financial aspects of divorce and dissolution of civil partnership. She has extensive experience in negotiating financial settlements and advises clients with substantial assets including family businesses, pensions, trusts, foreign assets and inherited wealth as well as clients with more modest income and assets. She also deals with the variation and enforcement of existing financial orders.
Dimple is a member of Resolution, a national organisation of family lawyers and other professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. She aims to provide practical, tailored advice to enable her clients to make informed choices with a focus on early settlement.
Job Titles:
- Marketing Manager
- Marketing Manager at Hart Brown Solicitors
Elizabeth is the holder of a honours degree in History from The University of London and after attending the University of Law Elizabeth gained an honours degree in Law, a Graduate Diploma in Law and completion of the Legal Practice Course.
Elizabeth is a business development and marketing professional with more than 14 years' experience spanning the legal services industry, luxury retail market and charity sector. Throughout her career, Elizabeth has specialised in legal business development, premium sales, business management, brand development and marketing within legal practice, large corporations, charities and SMEs.
As the Marketing Manager at Hart Brown Solicitors, Elizabeth is responsible for helping ensure the continued long-standing reputation of the firm as the law practice of choice among many individuals and businesses throughout Surrey and beyond.
Elizabeth is always keen to hear from external advertising and digital service providers that can strengthen our marketing and brand development efforts, or local organisations that we can work alongside and support.
Job Titles:
- Consultant, Trusts & Estates
Job Titles:
- Partner, Residential Property
Emma qualified as a solicitor in 1998 after studying for an LLB (Hons) Law Degree.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor, Commercial Property
Job Titles:
- Member of the Law Society 's Personal Injury Panel
- Partner, Head of Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
- S Blog Posts
Gerard qualified with a large regional firm in 1991. Since 1995 he has specialised exclusively on claimant personal injury work. More recently he has focused on complex higher value clinical negligence and personal injury claims, achieving seven figure settlements in personal injury cases involving amputation, multiple orthopaedic injuries and head injuries.
His greatest success has been winning the high profile case of Delaney-v-The Secretary of State for Transport where after almost 9 years of litigation involving two Court of Appeal hearings and an application to the Supreme Court he was finally able to establish that the Motor Insurers' Bureau Agreement was incompatible with EEC law. As a direct result of the decision in this case the agreement has had to be amended to the benefit of many future victims of uninsured drivers.
Gerard is a member of the Law Society's Personal Injury Panel and he appears in the latest Legal 500 rankings in the fields of personal injury and clinical negligence.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate, Residential Property
Irene joined us here at Hart Brown in 2021 as a Senior Associate in our Woking Office and specialises in residential property.
Irene has an LLB (Hons) in Law and qualified as a Solicitor in 1992. She started her career in family and childcare work and following almost 10 years living abroad in Tokyo, Singapore and the USA she returned to work as a Solicitor in Surrey as a Locum Solicitor with long lasting appointments. Irene then worked for the past 7 years in a Surrey and Hampshire based firm and was promoted to Head of the Residential Property department.
Over the years Irene has dealt with all types of clients and properties, from first-time buyers starting out on the property ladder to people downsizing from larger properties and moving to assisted living accommodation and everything in-between.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Head of Commercial & Corporate
James has specialised in corporate and company commercial law for twenty years advising on new business ventures, legal structures, sales & acquisitions, mergers, buy-outs, corporate investments and a wide range of commercial contracts.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Head of Dispute Resolution & Accredited Mediator
Prior to entering the legal profession, Jane was employed in the aviation industry. This experience is appreciated by many of Jane's clients who note that she is able to take a commercial and pragmatic approach to any legal issue that they face.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Residential Property
Jeremy has extensive knowledge in Residential Property. He qualified in 1992 as has worked for the last 25 years in various locations across Surrey, including Guildford, Godalming, Woking and now Cranleigh.
He is committed to providing a proactive, friendly and positive approach, with nearly 30 years' experience as a residential property specialist. Jeremy strives to communicate clearly and effectively with all those involved in transactions he deals with, in order to achieve the best outcome for his clients. He endeavours to find pragmatic solutions to problems wherever possible.
Jeremy believes in building up a strong relationship with his clients in order to understand their aims and needs, and work with them to achieve these so far as possible.
Memorable cases Jeremy has worked on include completing a purchase within a week from instruction where his client was given a great incentive on a new build property if he completed that quickly.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate, Commercial Property
John started his career at Hart Brown in 2016. He is a Commercial Property Senior Associate with 21 years post qualification experience in property.
He is a member of the Law Society and has written articles for the local press in Kent, Sussex and Surrey.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate, Trusts & Estates
Jordan is a Senior Associate with more than 5 years' post-qualified experience, specialising in Wills, lasting powers of attorney and the administration of trusts and estates. He is based in the Trusts & Estates department in Guildford.
Jordan studied law at the University of Southampton, graduating in 2013. Whilst completing his LPC on a part time basis, Jordan worked in the firm's quality and compliance department as the firm's Chief Internal Auditor, before commencing his training contract in April 2016.
Job Titles:
- Legal Executive, Trusts & Estates
Kelly joined Hart Brown's Trust & Estates Team in January 2024 as a Legal Executive working towards her CILEX Chartered Legal Executive and Probate Practitioner qualification that she is due to complete shortly (April/May 2024).
Kelly has worked in law for 25 years and has over 10 years' experience in Private Client. Kelly's expertise includes Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and all aspects of estate administration.
Kelly is personable and takes a pragmatic, friendly approach when assisting her clients. She is committed and likes to communicate regularly with her clients so as to keep them updated and build confidence in their relationship.
Outside of work Kelly enjoys time with her family and friends.
Kerry is a barrister in our Woking office.
Kerry was called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1999. She practised at 3 Stone Buildings (now Three Stone following a merger) until 2018 when she took a planned career break to spend time with her young family. During her time at the Bar, she specialised in private client work, both contentious and non-contentious. She has a wealth of experience advising on: trusts and estates; Wills, LPAs, probate and family provision (1975 Act claims); related inheritance taxation and professional negligence claims; Court of Protection and Elder Law; and co-ownership disputes.
An experienced litigator and advocate, Kerry also qualified as a mediator in 2008 and is keen to work with clients to find sensible, cost-effective solutions to problems as they arise. She is experienced at advising clients across the spectrum, including HNW and UHNW clients.
Kerry was a full member of STEP from 2005 to 2017 and will be reactivating her membership in due course. She was a committee member of the STEP Mental Capacity SIG from 2016-2017.
Kerry is keen to give back to the community and was on the panel for the Bar Pro Bono Unit (now Advocate) from 2006-2017, volunteered at Surrey Law Centre and at Refugee Action Kingston. She is happy to give talks to the wider community, including care settings and at local schools.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Head of Residential Property
Lawrence qualified as a solicitor in 2001 and has extensive experience in a broad range of residential property work, including very high value transactional work and acquisitions for international investor clients. He also has considerable experience in dealing with property work originating from, or ancillary to, private client matters and family/matrimonial matters.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor in the Commercial and Corporate Department Here
- Solicitor, Commercial & Corporate
Leah is a solicitor in the commercial and corporate department here at Hart Brown.
She graduated in 2018 with an LLB and Master's degree in law and qualified as a solicitor in 2023.
Leah joined Hart Brown in 2018 and is an integral part of the team assisting in a wide range of commercial and corporate matters.
Job Titles:
- Associate, Leasehold Enfranchisement
- S Blog Posts
Lewis started his legal career in practices on the outskirts of London and Surrey, gaining a good grounding across a wide geographical area in both contentious and non-contentious property matters.
Over the last 3 years he has specialised in leasehold and freehold enfranchisement dealings, applying his previous contentious and transactional experience to a niche area of property law that is replete with pitfalls.
Lewis is happy to act for Landlords or Tenants and he has experience in dealing with large collectives of lessees seeking to enfranchise. He is also happy to act for businesses with residential property investments and individuals seeking to protect the value of their home. He can also give good advice in seeking the right valuation advice from the right surveyor when preparing for, or responding to, enfranchisement claims.
Lewis started his studies with a degree in Classics from the University of Manchester before studying for his GDL and LPC. In his spare time, Lewis' interests include cricket, history and cosmology. He also loves the outdoors and is happy to go on a 10 mile hike through driving rain.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Commercial & Corporate 22nd February 2024
- Head of the Trusts & Estates Team
- Member of the Society of Trust
- Partner, Head of Trusts & Estates
Louise helps clients with all aspects of Private Client work and deals with the formation and administration of trusts, lifetime and post death planning and will drafting. She also works with other professional advisors to provide a complete package of advice.
Louise is also a member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
Job Titles:
- Associate in the Dispute Resolution Team Here
- Associate, Dispute Resolution
- Member of the Property Litigation Association
Lucy is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution team here at Hart Brown and specialises in property litigation and contentious trusts and probate.
Lucy completed her law degree at Kingston University before completing the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Guildford (now the University of Law). Lucy qualified in 2012 and brings with her general commercial litigation experience from Central London and Surrey law firms.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate, Trusts & Estates
Margaret is a Senior Associate and specialises in wills, the establishment and administration of trusts, probate, tax planning and powers of attorney.
Margaret joined Hart Brown in 2017, bringing with her a wealth of experience to the Trusts & Estates department in Cobham. She has worked as a Private Client lawyer in Surrey for over 30 years, and is also a member of STEP and the Law Society Private Client Section.
Job Titles:
- Associate, Trusts & Estates
After graduating with an LLB in Law and German language in 2004 from Surrey University, Marie-Claire subsequently worked for a firm in Bournemouth before moving to live in Guildford in 2013.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Fellow of the Institute
- Senior Associate, Clinical Negligence
Mark is a Senior Associate specialising in clinical negligence and serious injury claims.
Mark's role is to investigate allegations of negligence including at inquests to try and get his clients any additional help they may need and to recover for them the compensation they deserve. He guides his clients carefully through the litigation and alternative dispute resolution process always setting out clearly what the options are and which is the best one.
Mark is a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives and qualified at the Inns of Court Temple as a solicitor in 2004.
Job Titles:
- Consultant, Commercial & Corporate
Nick qualified as a solicitor in 1984 and lives with his family in Cornwall. Nick loves boats, watersports and motorcycles. He is hoping to find more time for reading and just enjoying views.
He is part of the Hart Brown commercial and corporate team acting for a variety of clients, some of whom he has been acting for over a period of many years. Nick is what is known as Group Counsel, but he uses his experience to quickly apply a process of narrowing down the requirements and opportunities that each client's unique circumstances will bring.
He has helped a variety of clients from small SMEs to larger multi-national companies, but his approach is always the same - sensible, down-to-earth and pragmatic. Nick applies himself with vigour, energy, enthusiasm and pragmatism, as well as sympathy for the individual client's circumstances and he never loses sight of the ultimate aim in each case. He has a deep sense of fairness and will apply that for his clients.
Nick's specialisms are buying and selling businesses, whether by way of shares or asset based deals, Shareholders' Agreements or Cross Option Agreements.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Commercial & Corporate, COLP
Relocating to England in 1999 Nigel joined Hart Brown in 2002 and became a partner in 2004.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate, Residential Property
Nitasha is an Associate and holder of an LLB (Hons.), with over 15 years' experience dealing with a broad range of legal matters. She has been a Solicitor for over 10 years, having qualified in 2011 and she specializes in Residential Conveyancing.
Nitasha has widespread knowledge of sales and purchases of freehold and leasehold properties, buy to let investment properties, transfers of equity, re-mortgages, lease extensions, right to buy schemes, new build purchases, auction purchases and equity release transactions.
Job Titles:
- IT Manager
- IT Manager at Hart Brown Solicitors
Peter Burtwell is the IT Manager at Hart Brown Solicitors, with responsibility for ensuring maximum uptime of the firms systems, security for client and business data and advising the board on future technology decisions.
With 20 years' experience inside Hart Brown, Peter has seen, and been involved in many changes at all levels of the business.
Peter also enjoys working with external providers, blending the insights they bring from outside the sector with the long-standing traditions of Hart Brown.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate, Residential Property
Peter's specialism is residential property.
He qualified as a Solicitor in 1991 and worked for a number of firms as a locum and then full time before joining Hart Brown in 2000. His experience as a locum he says gave him a good insight into the kind of firm that he wanted to settle down in. "It is amazing how different firms are in terms of the service they offer their clients" says Peter.
Peter receives excellent feedback from his clients:
Job Titles:
- Partner, Head of Commercial Property
Roderick has specialised in property law for 30 years. He trained with Hart Brown, qualifying in 1985 and became a Partner in 1990.
He specialises in all aspects of non-contentious commercial property work including freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals; residential development work; options; conditional contracts, development agreements and land promotion agreements. He acts for a broad range of clients including property companies, developers, owner/occupiers and SMEs.
Hart Brown is recognised in the Legal 500 2024 edition for real estate work in the South East and the entry states "Practice head Roderick Campbell is experienced in handling all aspects of non-contentious commercial property work for a broad range of clients, recently specialising in acting for large residents' associations that manage freehold estates."
In 2008 he published a book on "Methods of Securing Development Land Overage". He also holds an LLM Masters Degree in Advanced Commercial Property Law with distinction.
Job Titles:
- Associate, Residential Property
Rosie specialises in residential property, with experience acting for individuals in all aspects of conveyancing including freehold and leasehold sales, purchases, re-mortgages, transfers of equity, matrimonial transfers, equity release and shared ownership.
Rosie qualified as a solicitor in 2004, initially practising in family law for 3 years and has specialised in residential property since 2007.
Rosie has a 2:1 BMus (Hons) music degree from The University of Sheffield but went onto obtain commendations for both the PgDL and LPC from the College of Law, Guildford after deciding to peruse a career in law.
Outside of work, Rosie enjoys running and has completed numerous trail and road running events including 2 marathons.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Head of Family
- S Blog Posts
Sharon has over 20 years experience in all aspects of family law and in particular the financial aspects of high value divorces. Sharon is a trained collaborative lawyer and she is particularly experienced in resolving medium to high net worth finances as well as children disputes including alienation.
She is a Resolution member and qualified in mediation and collaborative family law.
"A break up of a relationship is very sad for everyone concerned" says Sharon. "I believe that our role is to try and help both parties reach a solution which they are both happy with. When feelings are running high this can sometimes be difficult but I believe we can make a difference".
Sharon is often thanked by her clients for her sympathetic and supportive approach through a traumatic time in their lives.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate, Trusts & Estates
Sue qualified as a solicitor in 1994 and has worked for Hart Brown since 1997 apart from a 4 year career break.
Job Titles:
- Associate, Trusts & Estates
Sunil joined the Trusts & Estates team in May 2022 as an Associate based in the Cranleigh office. Since he qualified as a solicitor he has worked in firms with offices in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Surrey.
After graduating from Sussex University with a degree in Law with French, he decided to travel abroad for a year or so. Nineteen years later, after having set up an English language school/consultancy a stone's throw from the Amalfi Coast, he returned to the UK to fulfil his childhood ambition of qualifying as a solicitor.
Sunil has worked in the Private Client field for over 11 years, specialising in Wills, Estate Administration, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyship applications to the Court of Protection, all the while taking courses and qualifications to improve his skills and knowledge.
He is a full member of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and also achieved a distinction in the STEP Advanced Certificate in Will Preparation.
Susan is a qualified CIPD HR professional and is responsible for the firm's HR and Facilities functions. She has a wealth of generalist HR and pensions experience gained in the Legal sector, charities and publishing.
Susan joined Hart Brown in 2014 and works closely with the senior management team, giving advice at both operational and strategic level.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate, Trusts & Estates
Job Titles:
- Commercial Property News 20th February 2024 / Interest Rates: Stick, Track or Twist
- Partner, Commercial Property
Prior to joining Hart Brown, Tamzin had worked for a local authority and for both regional and national firms.
Tamzin is a Partner with over 23 years' experience and she is based at our Woking office. Tamzin specialises in all aspects of commercial property including the sale and purchase of shops, offices and restaurants, landlord and tenant matters (from granting the new lease, through to the various licences for works, transfers and so on) and dealing with the eventual termination of a lease. She is also experienced at dealing with development work including option agreements and acquisitions.
Hart Brown is recognised in the Legal 500 2024 edition for real estate work in the South East and the entry states "With substantial experience in sales and purchases of properties, landlord and tenant matters and development agreements, Tamzin Mandelli 'provides a high level of service' and ‘is able to deliver what is needed'."
Job Titles:
- Solicitor, Trusts & Estates
Yiskah joined Hart Brown in January 2023 as a Trusts & Estates Solicitor based in our Cobham office. Yiskah assists clients in the preparation of their Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney and in the administration of a loved one's estate.
After studying Criminology and Sociology at Roehampton University, Yiskah completed the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in Bloomsbury, gaining a distinction in Private Client.