The team — Founder-led, two pillars

People who know their area inside out.

Bonsai is led by Vanessa Challess and Rebekah Brake Manning, supported by specialists across SME services and residential property. You deal with people who understand the commercial context — and can actually explain what matters.

Founders & Directors02

Vanessa Challess

Director · Head of SME Services

Commercial ContractsM&A & ExitsDispute ResolutionSuccession PlanningCorporate Law

Founder and Director, Vanessa Challess advises owner-managers on commercial and corporate law. Qualifying in 2003 and starting in corporate and commercial litigation, she has since broadened her focus, supporting clients with M&A, exits, succession planning, and complex commercial agreements, and now heads up the commercial dispute resolution team. Her entrepreneurial experience gives her genuine insight into business clients' needs. Known for clear, cost-effective advice, she leads her team to provide proactive, accessible service. A mother of three, Vanessa speaks Greek and basic Albanian and is recognised for her honest, down-to-earth approach.

Rebekah Brake Manning

Co-founder · Head of Residential Property

Residential ConveyancingNew BuildsAuction & DevelopmentShared OwnershipComplex Transactions

Co-founder, director and dedicated to leading her residential property team. Rebekah is a highly experienced conveyancer with a background in banking and pensions. She specialises in complex residential property transactions, including auction work, new builds, site developments and shared ownership, as well as standard conveyancing. Renowned for taking on cases that challenge other conveyancers, she has built a loyal network of clients, estate agents and brokers. As the conveyancer “who can”, Rebekah has earned many 5-star reviews. She is learning Makaton while advancing her professional studies, with her sights set on the SQE.

SME Services04

Sharon Mutizira

Chartered Trade Mark Attorney (CITMA) · Accredited Mediator

Trade MarksIP AuditsBrand ProtectionIP DisputesMediation

Sharon Mutizira is a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney (CITMA) and accredited mediator. With experience at leading international law firms including Withers LLP and Bird & Bird, she advises businesses, founders, and charities on trade mark protection, disputes, and commercial IP agreements. Her combination of trade mark expertise and mediation skills allows her to approach disputes with both technical knowledge and commercial judgement. Sharon's attention to detail, proactive approach, and commitment to achieving the best outcomes make her a highly valued part of Bonsai Law.

Sangita Gohil

Solicitor · Finance, Lending & Real Estate

Commercial PropertySecured LendingBridging FinanceCompany AcquisitionsLandlord & Tenant

A multilingual lawyer who has represented clients, banks and businesses. Since qualifying as a Solicitor in 2000, Sangita has represented clients, banks and businesses in finance and asset transactions, spending years at a West End boutique firm focused on real estate. She has been a UK panel lawyer on secured lending, with strong experience in mortgages and bridging finance. Her expertise includes sales and acquisitions of UK and offshore companies, often with Vanessa on large deals. Sangita is fluent in Gujrati and understands Hindi.

Himanie Dubois

Trainee Solicitor · Commercial & IP

Commercial LawMultilingualTech & Contracts

A multilingual trainee solicitor with expertise in commercial and intellectual property. Fluent in English, Spanish and French, with strong Catalan, Himanie is known for her flexibility and dedication to the legal industry. She began as a paralegal at Kingsley Napley before joining Bradstone Allington CPD, then applied her legal training in the tech sector at Turnblock.io. Returning to law as a freelance Commercial Paralegal for Strand Sahara, she was offered a permanent trainee solicitor role. Her diverse career and commitment to continuous learning make her a notable legal professional.

Raafiq Shahid

Litigation Paralegal · Disputes Team

LitigationDispute ResolutionCommercial Law

Raafiq is a Litigation Paralegal in Bonsai Law's Disputes Team, supporting clients across a wide range of corporate, commercial and civil disputes — including contract and shareholder disputes, insolvency-related litigation, property disputes, debt recovery, professional negligence claims and urgent court applications. Having started his legal career at a young age, he has gained experience across both contentious and transactional matters, giving him a practical understanding of the commercial realities behind legal disputes. He is known for his thorough approach, attention to detail and commitment to keeping matters moving efficiently for clients. Alongside his work at Bonsai Law, Raafiq has completed his LLB at the University of Nottingham and is predicted to graduate with a First Class degree, with a particular interest in corporate and commercial dispute resolution.

Residential Property02

Emily Howard

Property Paralegal

Residential PropertyClient SupportConveyancing

Property Paralegal supporting our residential clients throughout their transactions as an integral member of the property team. Emily is recognised for her commitment to client service and a solid understanding of the legal landscape, ensuring clients receive personalised support that makes their experience seamless and reassuring. Her attention to detail and warm personality make her a valued team member, and she is pursuing professional development to follow in Rebekah's footsteps.

Jodie Daffin

Post-Completion Assistant

Post-CompletionStamp DutyLand RegistryResidential Property

Completing the residential property team as a dedicated post-completion assistant. With over 20 years experience working for various law firms both in London and Kent, Jodie has worked in many different areas of law, but feels at home with residential conveyancing. Her work is integral to the final stages of any residential property transaction, ensuring that stamp duty and Land Registry formalities are taken care of and our clients are kept updated.

Client Care & Operations02

Liezel Gonzales

Client Onboarding & Administration

Client OnboardingComplianceAdministration

Client Onboarding & Administration Assistant. Liezel is an integral member of the team and, as the first point of contact for most new clients, takes great pride in providing a warm welcome and a seamless onboarding experience. She ensures all identification and compliance processes run smoothly, coordinating every detail so clients feel confident and cared for from the very start. Liezel is fluent in Filipino (Tagalog) and English.

May Ann Due

Bookkeeper & Legal Cashiering

Legal CashieringBookkeepingXeroCredit Control

Inhouse Bookkeeper & Legal Cashiering. May Ann brings expert skills as a Xero Specialist, virtual assistant, and experienced bookkeeper. Highly tech savvy, she leverages the latest cloud accounting platforms to keep our financial systems running smoothly. She takes full responsibility for inhouse bookkeeping, liaising with our accountants, and overseeing credit control and legal cashiering. Her attention to detail, proactive attitude, and deep understanding of legal finance make her an indispensable part of Bonsai Law.

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