Staff Profiles

Justin Crowson

Justin is the firm's senior partner and has a strong background in property-related work of all kinds, heading our conveyancing department and being the firm's senior responsible person for the Conveyancing Quality Scheme to which it is ascribed. In addition to this, he is very experienced in commercial property work and Landlord and Tenant matters, advising on matters ranging from simple shop leases to complex multi-let developments, acting for landlords, tenants and investment buyers and sellers. He acts for clients ranging from small business owners to those operating large property enterprises.

He also has significant experience in civil litigation - especially that relating to property, but also extending to general litigation and debt recovery.

Justin believes that by combining knowledge not only of the transactional elements of property dealings, but what happens when things go wrong, he can offer valuable insight into more long-term planning in relation to property portfolios. This allows him to give more detailed advice to clients as to what really matters and what does not at the transactional stage, and also allowing a more streamlined and joined-up approach for clients who might normally have to deal with several lawyers to satisfy their business needs. For example, he can advise clients on a property purchase, and subsequently deal with leases of that property, before (although he hope not to) managing debt recovery or possession claims arising out of that lease.

Email Justin at: jcrowson@frisbysmall.co.uk

Fiona Fraser

Having initially obtained a degree in French and Spanish and spending some years administering English Language schools in London, Fiona returned to university to study Law at Nottingham Trent, and qualified at a Cambridge firm in 1999.

Moving with her family to Leicestershire in 2006, Fiona then joined Frisby & Small’s Wills and Probate Team on a part-time basis and is now a partner.

“As a working mother with elderly parents, I can often empathise with the circumstances of many of my clients and use my personal experience to provide not just legal but practical advice for the situations they are facing”.

Having initially trained in a predominantly matrimonial firm, Fiona is experienced in dealing with Wills for clients who are separated, divorced or who have remarried, particularly where there are children from more than one relationship. She is also experienced in administering complex Estates for example, those which are insolvent or where beneficiaries are missing, and she can also provide advice and assistance to older clients without any immediate family to manage their affairs as their ability declines.

Email Fiona at: ffraser@frisbysmall.co.uk

Darshna Dodia

After reading Law & Criminal Justice at De Montfort University in her home city, Darshna worked in a number of firms in Leicestershire and Nottingham as an assistant, legal secretary and a paralegal, before obtaining a formal training contract and thereby qualifying as a solicitor in 2016. Following a short period of maternity leave, she joined Frisby & Small LLP’s conveyancing department where she specialises in residential sales and purchases of both freehold and leasehold properties, transfers of equity between co-owners, purchases of new build properties and shared ownerships.

As the full-time working mother of a young child she does not really have much spare time to spend on hobbies, but when she gets the chance she enjoys days out with her family and wider family gatherings.

Email Darshna at: ddodia@frisbysmall.co.uk

David Hawley

Consultant in Family Law and Civil Litigation

David joined Frisby & Small in early 2021 from a Legal 500 firm in Coventry to lead our Family and Matrimonial Law Department.

He has over 40 years experience in dealing with all aspects of divorce and separation, including family financial disputes and matters concerning children. He can also assist with cohabitation agreements and breakdowns, judicial separations and pre-nuptial arrangements.

David also has experience in general civil litigation matters. When not working David enjoys travelling, charity work and spending time with his large and ever-expanding family.

Ian Daniels

Ian has over forty years experience in Family Law since qualifying as a Solicitor in 1978. He has always lived and worked locally, spending over thirty years as a Partner at another firm, working mainly in Nuneaton and Hinckley. He was even working in Bedworth at the same time our own Mr Frisby ran a legal advice clinic in the town, making him the only current member of staff who knew our founder.

Ian is a well-known and respected figure within the local community. He is a past president of the Warwickshire Law Society, the Vice President of the National Association of Child Contact Centres and a member of the Nuneaton Contact Centre Committee, as well as the Chair of the Hinckley Town Centre Partnership and B.I.D.

Ian can deal with all matters relating to divorce and relationship breakdown, including high value financial settlements and resolving contact issues with children. Ian also has experience of prenuptial arrangements and cohabitation agreements. He is able to see clients at both our Leicester and Broughton Astley offices.