Meet The Team
Reasons to choose Wilson Browne
They say that ‘people buy people’ – a saying that holds true even in today’s competitive, fast-paced world.
We do things differently at Wilson Browne Solicitors: we’re not afraid to show our personalities. For us, legal expertise is a given – what you really need is someone who you can relate to, and who’ll be at you side as you navigate the sometimes turbulent water of owning or running a business, so if you’re wondering what our Corporate & Commerical team is really like, read on…
Q&A with Holly Threlfall
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 am incredibly proud and honoured to work with the team at Wilson Browne. What is a business without its people? Across the firm each team is dedicated to their clients, and I am often humbled by the level of commitment, drive and passion that I see to excellent service delivery and supporting people with their legal needs.
Favourite cake
A baked cheesecake – but it has to be a proper NY-style baked cheesecake, not a frozen one.
Q&A with Duncan Crowther
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!
Q&A with Catherine Healy
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.
Q&A with Tom Charteress
What’s your area of specialism?
As a junior solicitor I am still developing my skills and knowledge in both Corporate and Commercial matters, which I would say is my broad area of specialism. I have a particular passion for the corporate side of work and enjoy looking after clients with their company structures and transactional matters.
What the most interesting part of your work?
A lot of what we do is finding creative solutions to challenges that clients face with their business and their operations. Whether this is a governance issue and how they set up and structure their business; grow and transition their business into a new model; or consider the impact of operations on their business and legal documents, the range of solutions is intriguing. There is a wide variety of issues businesses in the SME market can face and it’s really interesting and challenging to work with other professionals to find solutions.
What is it that you enjoy about corporate & commercial law?
It may sound really boring, but I like drafting. The construction of sentences, use and definition of words and collating them to form legal documents is a really key part of being a Corporate and Commercial Lawyer as a small change can actually have a big impact. I enjoy applying a commercial context and what my client’s intentions and needs are to the legal documents at hand.
What would your clients say about you?
I would like to think that they consider me efficient and resourceful. I pride myself on my commitment to client care and addressing their concerns as a priority.
How do you keep a work-life balance?
I am quite disciplined with my time – I like to swim and keep fit and maintaining this balance with work requires focus. A healthy body is a healthy mind!
Favourite thing about working at Wilson Browne
The driver for me is the openness of the team. It may sound silly, but I have always been able to ask a question however small it may seem. The Partners and wider team at Wilson Browne are all accessible and here to help train and support me as a solicitor.
Favourite cake
Battenburg – I love marzipan. One day, I would love to go to Mexico where they make Calavera as they can be pure marzipan. It’s why I have such a sweet tooth now, my favourite used to be lemon drizzle but anything with marzipan these days is top of the list!
Q&A with Emily Coles
What’s your area of specialism?
I work with clients on both corporate and commercial matters, across a range of sectors. I do enjoy corporate work in particular and the creativity that comes from different business structures and transactions. There is a lot of flexibility in the way we can do transactions and it’s about finding what is the right route for the client!
What the most interesting part of your work?
It’s definitely meeting different people. I like getting to know different clients, their business journey and supporting that. But it’s not just about the clients – working with other professional advisors and getting to align the legal work with the accounting, tax and financial planning that is essential to a business and its shareholders.
What is it that you enjoy about corporate & commercial law?
You may think this is weird, but I like drafting. It’s good to get stuck into something, playing around with wording and analysing the content to ensure it meets the end-goal and client aims. Particularly on transactional work and corporate structures where there is a volume of documents to prepare and ensure consistency throughout.
What would your clients say about you?
I would hope they think I’m approachable – I am here to support and help clients and prioritise service delivery. I want any client to feel like they can talk to me without feeling judged, I’m always open to an initial chat to see how I can help. I also pride myself on my efficiency and ability to turn work to tight deadlines.
How do you keep a work-life balance?
It’s important to switch off outside of work and also stay healthy. I go to the gym and walks in the fresh air…although I also like to go out and eat at nice places which is a little counter-productive…it’s all about balance!
Favourite thing about working at Wilson Browne
It’s a very approachable team. Everyone is really welcoming and there is a range of support for both me as a team member and clients with a diverse range of law covered.
Favourite cake
White chocolate and raspberry cheesecake. My sister bakes all the time and she makes a fantastic one! I wish I could bake it…
