Name: Jennifer Pearson
Job title: Legal director/specialist property litigation solicitor, Hägen Wolf
What I do: I am a legal director at Hägen Wolf, a boutique property litigation firm with offices in Leeds, Newcastle and London. Since qualifying as a solicitor in 2009, I have specialised entirely in property litigation. I advise on the full spectrum of real estate disputes, with a strong focus on commercial real estate disputes.
I have also developed a niche specialism in the complex property aspects of telecommunications sites, acting exclusively for landowners (rather than operators). I also provide strategic advice related to property development. Having spent my career at regional commercial firms in the North East, I joined Hägen Wolf at the beginning of April, splitting my time between our Leeds and Newcastle offices. It is fantastic to be part of a passionate team of specialists who truly know their field.
Ultimately, my role is to act as a professional property problem solver. Litigation can sound adversarial, but going to court is rarely anyone’s goal. Wherever possible, I help clients find commercial and pragmatic solutions to resolve disputes before they escalate.
Why I got into the property industry: I have always been a self-confessed property geek. From endlessly scrolling Rightmove and planning portals to working as a lettings agent during my summers, I have always loved the industry. Outside of law, you will usually find me tackling interior design, home renovations, or furniture upcycling projects. When I decided to pursue law, it was no surprise that property law became my favourite module. Qualifying in this area felt like the perfect fit.
Frustratingly, when the 2008 financial crisis hit, the UK market went into freefall and property jobs vanished. Out of that challenge came a brilliant twist. My final training contract rotation was in property litigation. I had always avoided the idea of court work, but I instantly fell in love with the complexities of real estate disputes. What started as an unexpected detour became the foundation of my career as a specialist.
How I did it: After graduating with a history degree from the University of Sheffield, I wasn’t entirely sure about my next step. I briefly joined a graduate management scheme at Inland Revenue (now HMRC) but quickly realised I wanted to pursue a career in law. I enrolled in a law conversion course and successfully secured a training contract.
With my studies sponsored, I handed in my notice and immediately jetted off to travel the world with friends. I began my formal legal training at the College of Law in Birmingham (now the University of Law) the following September. I joined a firm as a trainee two years later.
My inspiration(s): My family, without question. They are what keeps me going when times get tough and keep me grounded and focused on the things that matter.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: Throughout my career, navigating the tension between client expectations and rigorous legal reality is my most consistent challenge. I choose to provide honest, strategic assessments rather than telling clients what they want to hear. This ensures my clients make decisions based on facts, protecting them from costly missteps.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: My greatest achievement isn’t one defining moment; it’s a collection of small impacts. Whether professionally or personally, my proudest moments happen when I can support someone who is struggling and help them find a way forward. A professional example would be my work on behalf of a travel company in the immediate aftermath of its acquisition of over 500 retail stores from the liquidators of one of its competitors.
It remains one of the achievements I am most proud of, not because of the sheer volume of work involved, the close collaboration with the liquidators’ lawyers, or the ‘firefighting’ required to deal with more than 200 disgruntled landlords in a very short space of time (although I am proud of those aspects too). Rather, it is because the transaction enabled almost all of the stores to remain open and continue trading, meaning hundreds of employees kept their jobs – a rare outcome in a liquidation. My client was rightly hailed as the ‘saviours of the high street’ at the time, and I was privileged to play a small part in achieving an outcome that genuinely made a difference for everyone involved.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: Not really the property industry as a whole, but certainly the biggest misconception about property law? That we do nothing but paperwork. In reality, my role is about untangling complex legalities, mitigating risks and driving negotiations forward – though I do still draft a pretty great letter when the time comes.
What I do in my downtime: Balancing work and family keeps life beautifully busy. My favourite escape is the Lake District for quiet moments, great views and good company (no intense hiking required!) I’m also a big fan of the theatre – strictly as an audience member.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: To be honest, I’m still narrowing that down. While I sometimes feel like I stumbled into this path, I’ve realised I truly love the nitty-gritty of property law and hunting for creative, practical solutions. Since people always tell me I’m at my best during a crisis, my alternative career would definitely involve high-stakes problem-solving, perhaps something in crisis management.
My motto/mantra: Pause and take a deep breath, preferably with a cup of tea in hand.
