Fraser Dawbarns has a six-lawyer family law group that has a loyal following around West Norfolk and East Cambridgeshire. Senior partner Deborah Allen retired from the firm, so senior associates Rebecca Woodley in Downham Market and Emma Stearman in King's Lynn now lead the practice. They, along with Jackie Jessiman in Ely, are 'extremely knowledgeable, professional and courteous'. The firm frequently handles high-net-worth divorce and pre-nuptial agreements involving business or agricultural assets, children matters, TOLATA applications, and cohabitation agreements.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Jackie Jessiman has been my legal advisor in an on going marriage/separation case. This process is all new to me and unexpected. So Jackie has explained every thing I need to know for me to understand in laymans terms. She has been very patient with me.’

  • ‘Jackie Jessiman was lawyer I have dealt with. I rate her highly. Clear, no-nonsense approach. Good communicator and good listener. Very knowledgeable.’

  • ‘Fraser Dawbarns is an exceptional Law firm. All colleagues are extremely knowledgeable, professional and courteous. Prior to working with Fraser Dawbarns, I had sought services from other law firms, and I can say with the utmost confidence that the service provided by Fraser Dawbarns was by far the best. I felt comfortable and able to talk openly about the support that I would need going forwards.’

  • ‘Rebecca Woodley is kind, emphathetic and an extremely knowledgeable and professional solicitor. Rebecca has supported me through what has undeniably been the most challenging time of my life, and the work that has done has enabled me to see my children again. I cannot begin to thank her enough.'

  • 'Rebecca Woodley's  expertise in this field is clear, and the challenges this case has brought to her have been handled sensitively and with impact. As part of the childcare proceedings that I have been going through, I have received some upsetting and unprofessional correspondence from another law firm, and Rebecca has stood by me and provided practical advice that has always been reassuring and calming to me.’
  • ‘Rebecca Woodley dealt with my divorce. She was absolutely brilliant throughout. I was always kept me informed, and was always prompted in communication. Very professional and knowledgeable. I will definitely be using Fraser Dawbarns for any future matters.’

  • ‘Jackie Jessiman has been very understanding. She has informed me of all my options and explained in detail, any answers to questions I have. I find it very difficult to understand all the legal speak but Jackie explained it to me in a way I understood.’

  • ‘Emma Stearman and Dan Sims work really well together. Both give insightful and pertinent advice, with a real focus on the client and achieving the best outcome.’

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Emma Stearman, Rebecca Woodley

Other key lawyers

Daniel Sims, Jackie Jessiman