Meet The Team

What’s your area of specialism?

I support businesses with all aspects of their lifecycle. I work with start-up businesses, advising on their incorporations and governing documents. I help established businesses restructure or scale up with acquisition strategies, funding documents and employee share schemes. And I also act on retirement sales and management buy-outs – facilitating the right exit strategy for any business owner.

What is the most interesting part of your work?

The sheer variety of work – no two instructions are the same, not just because of the breadth of law that I cover but because of the diverse range of sectors I support, each with their own needs. I’ve acted for nurseries and care-homes that have more regulatory and compliance concerns, through to manufacturers and tech companies where there is a focus on intellectual property. I like to take the time to get to know each client and business so that I can advise them in context.

What is it that you enjoy about corporate & commercial law?

It surprises most people when I tell them this – but it’s very creative. You can get some unusual structures and agreements which require layers of bespoke drafting, and often there are several ways to structure a particular instruction or transaction. So I get to combine creative thinking with pragmatic problem solving, working with a team of advisors to effect the best solution for the client.

What would your clients say about you?

I deliver a platinum service but in an approachable manner. For me, it’s all about service and looking after people whilst providing them with technical expertise.
What Holly’s clients have said: “Holly is a focused professional with a balanced approach between opportunity and risk. Genuine care for the client’s welfare and a great communicator with both client and counterpart professionals. Highly recommended. ”

How do you keep a work-life balance?

I like to say that I’m a lawyer by day, but a baker by night. I frequently make and decorate novelty cakes, bakes and cupcakes – my chocolate brownies are particularly good. Of course, I have to balance the calories from the baking with exercise so I can also be regularly found on a badminton court.

Favourite thing about working at Wilson Browne.

I’m still relatively new to the team, but I’ve been made to feel welcome and a part of the family very quickly. There is a really strong support network, not just in technical expertise but genuine support for everyone’s wellbeing and welfare, which is important at every level.

Favourite cake

A baked cheesecake – but it has to be a proper NY-style baked cheesecake, not a frozen one.

What’s your area of specialism?

I work a lot on corporate transactions, dealing with the sale and purchase of businesses. Before I came to the law, I was an engineer designing for the aerospace industry and semi-conductors. Therefore, I have a unique insight into these worlds and can relate to my clients businesses easily and more commercial aspects of business. I guess it’s one of the reasons that I receive so many instructions both in relation to the sale and purchases of businesses, but also regarding commercial contracts and similar works.

What’s the most interesting part of your work?

I like working out and finding different solutions a problem. There can be many different ways to effect a particular transaction, but it’s about finding the most effective one for your client.

What is it that you enjoy about corporate & commercial law?

I really enjoy the technical aspects of the work. I get absorbed in complex drafting and can get very particular about it as it does have to be right. I also really enjoy working with my clients; the work we do and nature of transactions that I get involved in can be complicated. It’s rewarding helping guide people through that legal minefield and translating the legal jargon into a real-world understanding.

What would your clients say about you?

That I’m down to earth; I provide practical solutions rather than blinding people with technical language and science.

How do you keep a work-life balance?

I enjoy being outdoors; whether it’s playing golf or just going for a walk. It’s good to separate your focus between work and home and do something to ‘switch off’.

Favourite thing about working at Wilson Browne

It’s the diversity of the people that we have working here. We have a great atmosphere which makes it an enjoyable place to be.

Favourite cake

It’s got to be ginger cake. I just really like ginger!

What’s your area of specialism?

Although I undertake both corporate and commercial work, I do enjoy transactional work in particular. Not everyone is familiar with the distinction between the two, commercial work is the legal aspects of how your business operates…your terms and conditions of trade, website policies, franchise and supply agreements. Corporate work deals with governance matters for companies and business structures. The transactional side combines both of these, acting on the sale or purchase of businesses which will involve not only the corporate element dealing with the change in ownership but understanding the commercial side of how businesses operates and impact of the transaction.

What’s the most interesting part of your work?

Learning about different businesses that we work with and the range of sectors that we get involved with. From engineering, technology and software development through to professional services (and many others) each area has its own idiosyncrasies.

What is it that you enjoy about corporate & commercial law?

That every day is different! I never know what is going to come across my desk and what curveballs we will have that day. It keeps it exciting!

What would your clients say about you?

I would like to think that they say I’m pro-active. I work incredibly hard to meet deadlines and regularly go above and beyond to achieve their expectations. The corporate world can be a challenging one; with many demands asked of our clients and I do all that I can to support them in reaching their own goals.

How do you keep a work-life balance?

I do hot pod yoga – this is yoga but in a heated tent! This helps me relax and wind-down from the day. I also prioritise spending time with my family and friends, as well as taking my dog Murphy for long walks (he’s a border collie, slightly nuts and in need of lots of exercise)

Favourite thing about working at Wilson Browne

Everyone here is really friendly. It has a family feel to the firm, it’s easy to talk to people and I know that I am supported in my role and growth.

Favourite cake

This is a difficult one! It would be between a lemon drizzle…and a carrot cake.

What’s your area of specialism?

I am early in my career still, so I am still learning and getting to know the wide world of corporate and commercial law. That said, I have focused so far on mergers and acquisitions as well as charity work. I am however keen to learn and want to know more – I’m good at research and want to learn as much as I can!

What’s the most interesting part of your work?

I would say getting to the bottom of a problem. To know that there is an answer out there, to find it and apply the right mechanism is really satisfying. I enjoy analysing contracts and problems and looking to find the right solution.

What is it that you enjoy about corporate & commercial law?

It’s very systematic. There is a process in transactional work which needs to be followed and it’s a great feeling to get to completion knowing that we’ve completed the puzzle. Corporate is also a very unique area of law as the emotions may run high, but it’s positive emotions and looking to get a deal completed.

I also love that every matter is different and there is a real variety in my day to day work.

What would your clients say about you?

I would like to think they would say I am reliable and that I deal with their work in a timely manner. I don’t like to sit on a problem, I will always look to address it head on and get to the solution.

How do you keep a work-life balance?

I make sure that I keep my clients informed, so my time and their expectations is well managed. Wilson Browne are very supportive and encourage a genuine balance which helps.

When I’m not in the office, I do like to travel and explore new cities. When at home, I have taken up Volleyball and Badminton.

Favourite thing about working at Wilson Browne

Genuinely, although I know that everyone will have said this, it’s the team. Everyone is very supportive and works well together. There are real opportunities to learn here, as everyone is willing to help and share their knowledge. It’s a really positive environment.

Favourite cake

Birthday cake! Keep it simple with a vanilla cake, buttercream and sprinkles!

What’s your area of specialism?

I do have a lot of experience in both corporate transactions and commercial law. That said, I am partial to commercial contracts, intellectual property and supporting businesses with the legal aspects of their operations.

What’s the most interesting part of your work?

The range of businesses that I work with as well as the people that I get to know and support. I really enjoy building relationships with people and getting to know their industry, sector and seeing businesses grow.

What is it that you enjoy about corporate & commercial law?

The technical element. There is a really broad range of aspects of a business that you can get involved in at all stages of a business lifecycle, but everything we do is always very technical and needs to be carefully drafted and considered in the context of the business and their needs.

What would your clients say about you?

This is a difficult one! In all my endeavours with clients, I aim to deliver a professional service but remain approachable and transparent in my communications with them.

How do you keep a work-life balance?

It helps that I do really enjoy my job – but  I do spend time at the gym & going for walks – fitness is a priority for me.

Favourite thing about working at Wilson Browne

The team. We have a close-knit team with a wealth of experience which I can learn from. I’ve been here since my placement year in 2019 and the firm has really invested in my professional development. I’ve recently qualified and have been the first trainee to do the SQE route.

Favourite cake

It’s an easy answer – lemon.