Johanna Smallman

Partner

Legal specialist for resolving commercial disputes

Are you looking for a seasoned dispute resolution solicitor to handle your commercial dispute? There is no substitute for solid legal advice when handling complex cases which could potentially have a major impact. With over 20 years’ experience, Johanna applies her wealth of knowledge and pragmatic approach when representing companies in contractual and tortious disputes. Who does Johanna advise? She represents businesses of all sizes and in particular, she works extensively with construction and engineering companies.

Specialist commercial litigation

Johanna’s expertise extends to commercial property damage litigation, having successfully handled cases involving interference with easements, trespass, and nuisance. She delivers practical solutions to challenging disputes requiring specialist legal knowledge, including representing landowners in complex claims related to:

  • flooding
  • fire spread
  • landslips
  • subsidence.

Also, she helps clients navigate sensitive and high-stakes situations with care and precision, having experience of partnership and shareholder disputes.

Insurance and professional negligence lawyer

Johanna has worked with nearly every major insurer, advising on policy disputes and interpretation. She now uses this insider knowledge to assist commercial policyholders in challenging declined claims, ensuring they receive the coverage they’re entitled to.

In addition, Johanna has extensive experience in professional negligence cases, representing clients who have suffered due to negligent tax advice, surveyor errors, or poor legal counsel. Her meticulous approach ensures her clients achieve the best possible outcomes.

From 2018 to 2025, Johanna was a lecturer at the University of Law, where she taught Civil Litigation, Advocacy, Drafting, and Opinion Writing on the Bar Practice Course. Her passion for education and mentoring has shaped her ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and accessible way – which applies to all areas of legal advice.

Johanna is also a champion of innovation in the legal industry. She is passionate about fostering connections between the legal profession and tech entrepreneurs, particularly start-ups, to drive forward-thinking solutions and collaboration.

Contact Johanna to discuss how to resolve your commercial dispute.

Let Johanna handle your query.

Meet members of Johanna's team

Liam Holyhead

Paralegal
Litigation

Melissa Worth

Partner
Head of Commercial Litigation

Michael Chambers

Partner
Head of Resolution and Recovery

Mike Richards

Senior Associate
Head of Commercial Recoveries

Richard Owen

Senior Associate
Commercial Dispute Resolution expert

Sarah Doran

Trainee Solicitor
Commercial Litigation

Sean Tremarco

Paralegal
Resolution & Recovery

Sophie Bebbington

Associate
Contentious probate and litigation specialist

Abigail Blakemore

Trainee Solicitor
Wills & Probate

Abigale Carter

Communications and Client Experience Assistant
Marketing & BD

Anne Scheland

Partner
Head of Corporate & Commercial

Beth Sales

Associate
Commercial Property

Bethan Thomas

Associate
Court of Protection

Ceri Burns

Solicitor
Wills & Probate

Chris Hayes

Employment Partner
Head of Innovation

Christine Sutton

Consultant Solicitor
Commercial Property

Clare Lawrence

Talent and Engagement Manager
Recruitment

Clare Mathieson

Associate
Commercial Property

Corinne Vaughan

Associate
Operations Manager, Residential Property

Daniel Nevin

Associate
Residential Property

Daniela Keogh

Paralegal
Corporate law

Deana Phillips

Associate
Employment law specialist

Emma Evans

Associate Solicitor
Family & Relationships

Frances Williams

Associate
Wills & Probate

Georgina Anwyl

Associate
Corporate

Holly Thomas

Solicitor
Family & Relationships

Ian Millington

Partner & Legal Services Director
Commercial Property

India Hill

Legal Assistant
Wills & Probate

James Cullen

Associate
Commercial Property

Joel Harries

Business Support Administrator
HM3 Legal

Judith Gloria

Paralegal
Wills & Probate

Justine Watkinson

Partner & Engagement Director
Employment Law

Kathy Szeputi

Head of Brand & Communications
Marketing

Lauren Douglas

Solicitor
Corporate law

Liam Holyhead

Paralegal
Litigation

Louise Harcombe

Associate
Employment lawyer

Megan Bell

Paralegal
Employment Law

Megan Cockroft

Solicitor
Commercial Property

Melissa Worth

Partner
Head of Commercial Litigation

Michael Chambers

Partner
Head of Resolution and Recovery

Mike Richards

Senior Associate
Head of Commercial Recoveries

Molly Ward

Paralegal
Commercial & IP

Nicole Boreham

Client Engagement Manager
Wills & Lifetime Planning

Paul Beckett

Operations and Risk Director

Paul Hilton

Consultant Solicitor
Commercial Recoveries

Paul Marsh

Consultant Solicitor
Insolvency

Peter Southeran

Consultant Solicitor
Commercial Dispute Resolution

Rachel Hodnett

Paralegal
Family & Relationships

Richard Burnett

Commercial Director
Helping your business succeed

Richard Owen

Senior Associate
Commercial Dispute Resolution expert

Robbie Oates

Paralegal
Family & Relationships

Ruth Marsh

Partner and Head of Private Client Services
Wills & Probate

Samuel Kewley

Commercial Contracts Lawyer
Commercial Law

Sara Wakefield

Associate
Residential Property

Sarah Doran

Trainee Solicitor
Commercial Litigation

Sean Tremarco

Paralegal
Resolution & Recovery

Shannon Ashley

Legal Assistant
Wills & Probate

Sophie Bebbington

Associate
Contentious probate and litigation specialist

Sophie Prescott

Solicitor
Wills & Probate

Theo Thomas

Legal Assistant
Residential Property

Wendy Randall

Probate Practitioner & Senior Associate
Wills & Probate

Zoe Williams

Solicitor
Commercial Property

GET IN TOUCH…

If you’ve got a legal enquiry, call us on 01244 318 131 or click here to complete a short form, and a bl**dy brilliant lawyer will be in touch.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST ON HM3 LEGAL…