Denise Naomi Hoilette
Director & Solicitor
Contact Information
- Director & Solicitor
- Child Care
- Brighton
- 02031141193
- 07920077046
- @Send Email
Profile / Experience
I am a Director in the Child Care Department and qualified in 1993. I am a specialist in representing children, parents and other family members in care proceedings when social services have become involved in their lives and everything is as stressful as life can possibly be. I am accredited as a Member of the Law Society Children Panel.
I have over 30 years of post qualification experience and expertise, and am always committed to continuing my learning so that I can continue to represent my clients to the highest of professional standards. I take the responsibility very seriously. I like to get to know my clients very well, and I actively listen to them. This skill assists me in giving tailored and very detailed client advice, creating and developing strategies for each client’s case from beginning to end, and my clients have told me that it makes them feel more confident in proceedings that are fraught with worry and fear. I am known for representing my clients strongly in court and for thorough case preparation.
I take cases from a diverse range of sources and locations relating to care proceedings, most especially the complex end of this field, and I am very careful and have a forensic and reflective approach to my cases and how they are prepared on behalf of my clients. This means that I am always thinking about what else can be done / has been missed. I have found this approach to be highly successful in a complex field of law, and it means that my clients do feel supported and strongly represented throughout proceedings due to my very regular client contact.
I continue to represent clients in complex care proceedings including issues such as non-accidental injury, complex health cases, cases with an international dimension, adoption, special guardianship cases, discharge of care orders and placement orders, shaken baby, FII, DOLS and recovery order cases, SGO cases, diabetes, abuse of all kinds, fractures, chemical deficiencies and cases involving other genetic disorders or conditions. I have also represented a client where public interest immunity (PII) issues arose and had to be argued in Court within care proceedings.
I have neurodiverse children and parents as clients, and I am very careful in arguing on their behalf for their needs now and for the future to be met, not only within proceedings but also after they have ended, so that they have as comprehensive a package of support as possible.
I work with a team of excellent barristers in cases in all jurisdictions up to the Court of Appeal. I work with top tier Chambers at QC and Senior level. I also conduct my own court advocacy and am regularly in court.
Having worked briefly within a local authority setting, I am delighted to be able to use that expertise in my private practice when representing children and parents, as it has aided my knowledge of local authority practices and methods and augmented my skills further.
I have worked in and led family law teams throughout my career, in Legal 500 and Chambers rated firms of different sizes as a Partner and Head of Department. I am well known for the extremely high quality of my work, and the thoroughness with which I approach my clients' cases, and I work very hard for each and every client.
I have been described by the Legal 500 (2015) as "highly intelligent" and "does a lot of her own advocacy", and in 2021 as "XX and Denise Hoilette are standout individuals. They are thorough, approachable and professional. Very impressive." I have also been described as "an exceptionally dedicated and talented solicitor" and "a safe pair of hands."
I have over 30 years of post qualification experience and expertise, and am always committed to continuing my learning so that I can continue to represent my clients to the highest of professional standards. I take the responsibility very seriously. I like to get to know my clients very well, and I actively listen to them. This skill assists me in giving tailored and very detailed client advice, creating and developing strategies for each client’s case from beginning to end, and my clients have told me that it makes them feel more confident in proceedings that are fraught with worry and fear. I am known for representing my clients strongly in court and for thorough case preparation.
I take cases from a diverse range of sources and locations relating to care proceedings, most especially the complex end of this field, and I am very careful and have a forensic and reflective approach to my cases and how they are prepared on behalf of my clients. This means that I am always thinking about what else can be done / has been missed. I have found this approach to be highly successful in a complex field of law, and it means that my clients do feel supported and strongly represented throughout proceedings due to my very regular client contact.
I continue to represent clients in complex care proceedings including issues such as non-accidental injury, complex health cases, cases with an international dimension, adoption, special guardianship cases, discharge of care orders and placement orders, shaken baby, FII, DOLS and recovery order cases, SGO cases, diabetes, abuse of all kinds, fractures, chemical deficiencies and cases involving other genetic disorders or conditions. I have also represented a client where public interest immunity (PII) issues arose and had to be argued in Court within care proceedings.
I have neurodiverse children and parents as clients, and I am very careful in arguing on their behalf for their needs now and for the future to be met, not only within proceedings but also after they have ended, so that they have as comprehensive a package of support as possible.
I work with a team of excellent barristers in cases in all jurisdictions up to the Court of Appeal. I work with top tier Chambers at QC and Senior level. I also conduct my own court advocacy and am regularly in court.
Having worked briefly within a local authority setting, I am delighted to be able to use that expertise in my private practice when representing children and parents, as it has aided my knowledge of local authority practices and methods and augmented my skills further.
I have worked in and led family law teams throughout my career, in Legal 500 and Chambers rated firms of different sizes as a Partner and Head of Department. I am well known for the extremely high quality of my work, and the thoroughness with which I approach my clients' cases, and I work very hard for each and every client.
I have been described by the Legal 500 (2015) as "highly intelligent" and "does a lot of her own advocacy", and in 2021 as "XX and Denise Hoilette are standout individuals. They are thorough, approachable and professional. Very impressive." I have also been described as "an exceptionally dedicated and talented solicitor" and "a safe pair of hands."
Education
- MBA in Law Firm Practice Management
- LLB Law Degree
Career
- Director at Duncan Lewis Solicitors (September 2025 - Present)
- Wannops LLP (2023 - 2025)
- Goodlaw Solicitors (2020 - 2023)
- Philcox Gray (2017 - 2020)
- Partner at Venters Solicitors (2011 - 2016)
- Freelance Solicitor (2022 - 2010)
- Partner at McMillan Williams (1995 - 1998)
- Assistant Solicitor at Darryl Ingram & Co (1993 - 1995)
- Admitted as a Solicitor May (1993)
Testimonials
- I have been described as "highly intelligent" and "does a lot of her own advocacy" and in 2021 as "XX and Denise Hoilette are standout individuals. They are thorough, approachable and professional. Very impressive." - Legal 500 (2015)
Awards
- Legal 500 2015 and 2021
Membership & Accreditations
- Member of the Law Society Children Panel Accreditation Scheme
- Enhanced DBS Check Practising Certificate
Interests
- Walking
- Sewing
- Singing in London Symphony Chorus
- Trustee of London Symphony Chorus
- Volunteer with food waste charity