I have been a solicitor since 1979 and have run my own legal practice since 1992. I trained in London and have specialised in property and commercial law for 20 years.

I live and work in rural Kent for clients throughout the world.

I have always invested in the latest technology because I believe that this is essential to providing a fast and efficient service.

I am founder member of Clarity – the organisation dedicated to the use of plain language by lawyers.

I believe in writing clear, custom-made contracts and other legal documents instead of relying on overweight, jargon-filled standard forms. I do not believe in making mountains out of molehills or creating work for the sake of it.

I am a member (and, currently, secretary) of Wealden Business Group, a local business breakfast networking group. If you would like to join us to see what the group is like, let me know by telephone or email or by completing this form

I am also a community governor of Tenterden Infant School and have recently become a Tenterden Town Councillor

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I qualified as a solicitor in 2009. I graduated after studying Law LLB (Hons) at the University of Greenwich in 2001 and achieved a Commendation at the London College of Law in 2003. I then travelled and later worked as a paralegal in Family Law and Conveyancing before commencing my training contract with a Sussex firm, where I trained in Residential and Commercial Property, Family and Private Client.

I joined Nelsons in 2010 and very much share Justin’s views on providing a clear and jargon-free approach to law. I pride myself on being approachable and going the extra mile for my clients.

Outside of work I enjoy horse riding and spending time with my young family.

Housewife

Mother

Office Manager

Superstar!

With a background in banking , I have the financial and procedural training to manage accounts and payments, and with experience also in estate agency, I understand how the conveyancing process works and the pressures and stresses it can produce.

Coupled with my seven years’ experience actually handling the accounts responsibilities for the firm and getting to grips with the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules, I am well able to manage Nelsons’ accounts department yet remain an integral part of the friendly working atmosphere.

I take my turn also in “meeting and greeting” clients and other visitors to the office, ensuring that all the support staff work as a cooperative team with the aim of providing an unparalleled service for clients

I first came across Nelsons when I was working as a negotiator for a local estate agent. I soon realised that they were different from the other firms of solicitors that we dealt with, and welcomed the involvement of good estate agents, recognising that they can do a lot to smooth the process and ensure clear lines of communication.

This prompted me to instruct Nelsons to act for me when I moved house, handling the sale and the purchase, and I was not disappointed with the friendly and efficient service I received. Consequently, when I saw that Justin and Anne were advertising for staff due to expansion, I jumped at the chance to work for them and the rest (as they say) is history.

Although I am not a solicitor, I am able to deal with all the non-legal aspects of the conveyancing procedure. More importantly though, because of my background in estate agency, I have seen first hand how stressful the moving process can be for some people. This is where we at Nelsons pride ourselves on being different from other solicitors by providing a friendlier and less formal environment, without compromising on quality or efficiency.

Clients are able to drop in and see either myself or Anne without an appointment in order to discuss any worries or concerns they may have. This allows the solicitors to carry on with the legal aspects of the conveyancing process and maintains efficiency.

From a client’s point of view, this is what makes Nelsons unique in my experience. From an employee’s point of view, I feel very lucky to work in such a friendly and positive environment.

In 2007, I moved from Norfolk to Kent, and was keen to find job that was both rewarding and satisfying to fill my time.

I had estate agency experience and had previously worked for a solicitor in Norfolk. Having seen Nelsons advertising for new staff I applied and was very fortunate to be offered a job with them. Having met both Justin and Anne I had no hesitation in accepting and started work with them in January 2008, especially as they were happy for me to work part time, sharing the job with another employee.

Being the receptionist, I am the first point of contact for clients and other visitors when calling into the office or on the telephone. I am also Justin’s secretary and generally help out where needed. I feel very privileged to be part of Nelson’s growing team.

After gaining my secretarial skills at Hastings College, I joined a firm of solicitors, Berry & Berry, in Tunbridge Wells as a legal secretary. From there I went to the Royal British Legion Headquarters in Pall Mall in London where I worked as secretary to the Assistant Director, organising such events as the Festival of Remembrance and the Royal Tournament.

Having enjoyed legal work so much, I was keen to return and joined Cripps Harries Hall in Tunbridge Wells as secretary to a litigation partner. When my children started to arrive I needed a more local job and so went to work at Benenden Hospital as PA to the Deputy Hospital Director.

For the past few years, as well as helping my husband to run his own business, I have also been busy working for a production company transcribing TV scripts – and qualifying as a Reflexologist in my spare time!

I was very pleased to return to legal work and be offered a job working for Nelsons, which I thoroughly enjoy. The friendly yet professional atmosphere makes it a pleasure to go to work and the speedy, efficient and no-nonsense service provided is reflected in the testimonies of the many satisfied clients. It’s nice to work for such a hard working team who really genuinely care for their clients.

Mousse is a chocolate roan Cocker Spaniel belonging to Justin Nelson and Anne Browne. He is successor to Dammit, a blue roan Cocker Spaniel, who used to greet visitors to the office and became a great hit with most – one or two did look a little askance at having a dog in a professional environment, but most welcomed the friendliness and informality it engendered.

When Dammit died, we tried to live without a dog, but Anne only managed to go 10 days before succumbing to another, and Mousse is proving to be as popular as Dammit was, though of a different temperament – then again, he is still a puppy!