England - South East • Private client
Collins Solicitors
Collins Solicitors’ ‘extremely knowledgeable’ team assists both high and middle-net-worth individuals with pre-nuptial agreements and private child arrangements. ‘Complete star’ Danielle Messenger leads the practice and ‘leaves no stone unturned’ when advising clients on contentious financial issues as a result of divorces and relationship breakdowns, in addition to cohabitation disputes. ‘First-class solicitor’ Donna Downes predominantly represents children in cases concerning non-accidental injury, honour-based violence, and parental death, while also advising clients on adoption orders.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Danielle Messenger is a breath of fresh air. Her sensible and conciliatory approach to matters has benefitted our respective clients and I look forward to working with her on future matters.’
‘Danielle Messenger has attention to detail and is a complete star. Danielle genuinely cares about her clients and always goes the extra mile. She is extremely experienced and has a no-nonsense, efficient approach with flair.’
‘Donna Downes is the star of the public law children team. She has a wealth of experience which she shares with her colleagues. The team provide constructive, non-confrontational advice to clients in a stressful area of law.’
‘Donna Downes operates at the highest level in children's cases. She grapples with complex medical issues in non-accidental cases and her superb organisational skills are legendary. Donna brings calm and considered thought to fraught and difficult cases representing children who have been abused. She is the go to solicitor for CAFCASS Guardians in the area because her representation of children is exemplary.’
‘Donna Downes is an experienced, knowledgeable, competent and approachable solicitor. I have no hesitation in recommending her to people seeking representation in care proceedings. She is a joy, and a first-class solicitor.'
‘The family law team are extremely knowledgeable and always put the interests of their client first. Most notably, Danielle is extremely professional and compassionate when dealing with matrimonial matters.’
‘The team is professional and makes light work of very complex situations with regular updates. They will go the extra mile to help you.’
‘Danielle Messenger really makes things easy and leaves no stone unturned. She makes everything less stressful and is so thorough. Without her help I’d be lost.'
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Danielle Messenger