Meet the friendly face of local law...
A conversation with Fraser Dawbarns’ newlyappointed Senior Partner Deborah Allen What’s your background with Fraser Dawbarns? DEBORAH ALLEN: Having decided to study Law at University because I didn’t have the Latin to study history (which was my first choice!) I had to find a firm willing to offer me a training contract, which was then known as Articles. Dawbarn, Barr and Knowles (as the firm was then known) offered me a place in their Wisbech office and so my career in Law began. Within six months of qualifying I was sent to what was then a very small fledgling office in King’s Lynn. I started practising in all areas of the Law until I began specialising in Family Law about 25 years ago, becoming Head of a growing department and eventually, in KLmagazine August 2016
May of this year, Senior Partner of the firm. What is the role of the Senior Partner? DEBORAH ALLEN: Fraser Dawbarns has offices in King’s Lynn, Wisbech, March and Downham Market and we have over 100 staff. My role as Senior Partner is to ensure that each of our offices is seen as the leading firm, locally, and indeed throughout Fenland, east Cambridgeshire and northwest Norfolk. I also need to make myself available to offer support and guidance to all of our staff. How has Fraser Dawbarns changed since you joined the firm? DEBORAH ALLEN: Fraser Dawbarns has a history of over 170 years, but my experience obviously doesn’t cover
those early years! The firm I joined was called Dawbarn, Barr and Knowles and that became Dawbarns, before merging with Pearsons in King’s Lynn, taking over Walton Jeffrey & Armitage in Downham Market and becoming known as Dawbarns Pearson. In 2008, we merged with Frasers of Wisbech, which was another wellestablished Wisbech firm formerly Fraser Woodgate & Beale, to become the Fraser Dawbarns we are today. I’ve therefore seen the firm grow substantially from a well-respected local firm to a highly-specialised and leading firm of Solicitors in East Anglia. For you personally, what have been the most important changes in law since you began your career? DEBORAH ALLEN: As a Family Lawyer, the single thing that’s caused me the most concern has been the loss of Legal Aid. It’s resulted in many people being unable to access help and advice at times when they desperately need it, most particularly in relation to issues involving children. It may not seem an ‘important’ change in law, but its effects have been (and still are) both fundamental and far-reaching. What do you hope to achieve during your time as Senior Partner? DEBORAH ALLEN: I’m hoping to see the firm grow in its expertise, particularly in the areas of Agricultural Law and Court of Protection work. I’m also looking forward to promoting the careers of our many newly-qualified Lawyers and training more people to follow in my footsteps. If possible, how would you describe Fraser Dawbarns in less than 15 words? DEBORAH ALLEN: An expanding firm giving professional and specialised advice with friendly local offices and staff.
FRASER DAWBARNS LLP 21 Tuesday Market Place King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1JW Tel: 01553 666600 Fax: 01553 767221 DX: 57800 KINGS LYNN Web: www.fraserdawbarns.com E-mail: info@fraserdawbarns.com
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