Welcome to the thirty sixth blog post for TheLawyerFiles.
Thank you, as always, for subscribing and continuing to follow the journeys of legal professionals who are shaping the profession through resilience, self-awareness, and non-linear paths into law.
✨ In this edition, we feature Vanessa Wilson, a real estate disputes lawyer whose career journey reflects adaptability, purpose, and a deep understanding of the property sector.
Vanessa’s path into law is far from conventional. Before qualifying as a solicitor, she built extensive experience in property management and ran her own property services business. That practical foundation gave her first-hand insight into the realities faced by landlords, tenants, and managing agents—experience that now directly informs her legal practice in real estate disputes.
Alongside her legal career, Vanessa is also an accredited empowerment coach and NLP practitioner. This unique combination allows her to approach dispute resolution with empathy, clarity, and strong communication skills, particularly in emotionally charged landlord and tenant matters where legal issues intersect with human impact.
In this conversation, Vanessa reflects on her academic journey into law, transitioning careers, and the mindset shifts required to navigate qualification and early practice. She shares how her lived experience outside traditional legal pathways has strengthened her confidence as a newly qualified solicitor and shaped the way she supports clients.
If you’re interested in real estate disputes, alternative routes into law, or understanding how mindset and personal development can enhance legal practice, Vanessa’s story offers thoughtful insight and practical encouragement.
Let’s dive in 💡
- What inspired you to pursue a legal career, and how did your academic journey influence your decision to specialise in real estate disputes?
My own personal experience with the law is what inspired me to pursue a legal career. The law has had a positive impact on my life, particularly immigration law.
My mum and I are first-generation immigrants, and she always kept me informed throughout the immigration process as we obtained our residency and citizenship. That experience left a lasting impression on me and motivated me to become an immigration solicitor to help others facing similar experiences.
Though my early experiences motivated me to pursue a legal career, my later experiences and academic path further shaped my focus towards Real Estate Disputes. My academic journey influenced my decision to specialise in real estate disputes in two ways. Firstly, I was one of the few students who genuinely enjoyed Land Law; I earned an A+ in that module during my undergraduate degree and received my highest marks in Property and Dispute Resolution in the SQE2 exams. Secondly, I completed professional qualifications while working as a property manager, which deepened my interest in property law. My experience in residential property management was ultimately the catalyst for my decision to specialise in Real Estate Disputes.
Although my passion for property guided my chosen practice as a solicitor, I still hope to contribute to immigration related pro bono work, particularly initiatives connected to the Windrush generation.
- You’ve built a fascinating career transitioning from property management into law. How has that practical experience shaped your perspective as a solicitor?
My passion for property grew during the eight years I spent working in the private real estate industry. That experience provided me with many transferable skills that not only shaped my perspective as a solicitor but also complement my legal practice.
Firstly, my calm and proactive approach to managing multiple files efficiently by prioritising and organising my workload was heavily influenced by my time as a property manager. I was responsible for portfolios of over 100 properties, often juggling urgent matters and competing deadlines. I now apply the same approach to managing my legal cases.
Secondly, property management taught me the importance of adaptability and flexibility. No two days were ever the same, sometimes appointments or stakeholder tasks didn’t go as planned, so I learned to think on my feet and adjust quickly. As a litigator, that same ability to adapt under pressure is invaluable when last minute developments arise.
Finally, property management shaped how I communicate with clients. Delivering information clearly and concisely to busy clients who need to make quick, informed decisions was an important skills as a property manager and an imperative skills to have as a solicitor. Over time, I’ve honed the skill of presenting information in a way that allows clients to give timely and confident instructions.
- Your profile highlights a commitment to resolving disputes with “care, skills, and understanding.” What does that approach look like in practice when working with clients?
Throughout my journey to qualification, I’ve been fortunate to receive advice from inspiring lawyers, one of whom encouraged me to think about my personal brand, what difference I want to make to the legal profession and what I’d like my clients to say about me.
That reflection led me to develop my personal brand statement: “I resolve real estate disputes with care, skills, and understanding.” Breaking that down:
Care, means not only caring about achieving my clients’ objectives but also upholding my professional and regulatory duties as a solicitor. It’s about acting with integrity, complying with court directions, and showing respect for all involved in the process.
Skills, refers to applying my multifaceted skill set combining technical legal knowledge with commercial pragmatism to tailor strategies that align precisely with my clients’ goals. It also includes using soft skills, such as active listening and collaboration, which enable continuous learning and professional growth.
Understanding, reflects the well-rounded perspective I’ve developed through experience across residential property management, local authority legal practice, and private practice. These experiences allow me to view disputes from multiple angles, the client’s, the regulator’s, and the lawyer’s, giving me a broad and balanced understanding of real estate issues.
- You’re also an accredited empowerment coach and NLP practitioner. How do those skills complement your work in law and help you manage challenges in a demanding profession?
As an accredited coach and NLP practitioner, I’ve developed many skills including key skills such as effective questioning, rapport building, active listening, confidentiality, curiosity, and maintaining a non-judgmental mindset.
These skills complement my work in law in many ways. Building rapport with clients and colleagues is particularly important to me, it ensures clients feel supported and helps foster strong professional relationships and collaboration.
Curiosity and a non-judgmental approach also help me to manage challenges more effectively. They allow me to stay objective and avoid dwelling on difficulties. One NLP presupposition that has helped me immensely is: “Every behaviour has a positive intention.” It reminds me that even when someone’s actions appear negative, they often stem from a desire to achieve a positive outcome. That mindset helps me to deal with challenging opposing parties.
Finally, active listening and effective questioning are essential for truly understanding clients’ needs and acting in their best interests. And, of course, confidentiality is fundamental to both my coaching practice and my legal work.
- From running your own business to qualifying as a solicitor, your path reflects resilience and adaptability. What advice would you give to aspiring lawyers navigating their own journeys?
Resilience is one of the most important qualities a lawyer can develop. It’s a skill that strengthens at every stage of the journey toward qualification.
Adaptability is equally vital whether it’s adapting to new environments, clients, or ways of working. The best way to build this skill is by exposing yourself to a range of experiences and remaining open to learning from each one.
Most importantly, remember that difficult times are temporary. There are now so many routes into the profession, from the SQE and qualifying work experience to solicitor apprenticeships. Be confident in your abilities, stay open-minded, and trust the process. Believe in yourself, your journey is uniquely yours. I wish you every success along the way!
Vanessa Wilson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-wilson-516930113/
Real Estate Disputes Associate | Resolving Real Estate Disputes with Care, Skills & Understanding | Co-Education Secretary for Junior Lawyers Division – Berks, Bucks & Oxon 2025/26 | Empowerment Coach | NLP Practitioner
I hope Vanessa’s journey has inspired you, especially if you are interested in real estate disputes, landlord and tenant matters, or exploring a non-traditional route into law.
Her story is a powerful reminder that legal careers are rarely linear, and that the experience you gain outside of law can become your biggest advantage once you qualify. From building a strong foundation in property management and running her own property services business, to qualifying and moving into real estate disputes, Vanessa shows how practical industry insight can shape a confident and client-focused legal career.
Through her reflections on entering the profession, developing her voice as a newly qualified solicitor, and drawing on real-world property experience, Vanessa highlights the importance of understanding clients beyond the black letter law. Her journey reinforces that effective legal advice is not only about technical accuracy, but also about communication, empathy, and appreciating the realities people face when disputes arise.
Vanessa also brings a unique perspective through her work as an accredited empowerment coach and NLP practitioner, demonstrating how mindset, self-awareness, and resilience can strengthen the way lawyers navigate pressure, conflict, and professional growth.
For anyone questioning whether they “fit” the traditional mould, or wondering if it is too late to pursue a legal career, Vanessa’s story offers reassurance. With persistence, clarity, and a willingness to keep learning, it is possible to build a legal career that feels authentic, impactful, and aligned with who you are.
🎧 Our podcast episode with Vanessa will be available shortly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Audible. In the episode, we explore her route into law, how her property background shaped her legal practice, and what aspiring lawyers can learn from a non-linear journey.
We also discuss mindset, confidence, and how personal development tools can support a sustainable and successful legal career.
Make sure you are subscribed so you do not miss future episodes.
Until next time, stay curious, stay open minded, and keep pursuing the work that inspires you 💡🎙️
Denice Obeng 😊
