johanna smallman

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

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

Sarah Doran

Trainee Solicitor
Commercial Litigation

Sophie Bebbington

Senior Associate
Contentious probate and litigation specialist
Abigail Blakemore HM3 Legal Wills, Trusts, and Estates legal expert in Chester on a blue background

Abigail Blakemore

Trainee Solicitor
Wills & Probate
abigale carter

Abigale Carter

Communications & Client Experience Assistant
Marketing & BD
abigail vine

Abigail Vine

Legal Assistant
Wills & Probate

Anne Scheland

Partner
Head of Corporate & Commercial
Beth Sales commercial property lawyer in Liverpool at HM3 Legal on a green background

Beth Sales

Associate
Commercial Property
Bethan Thomas Court of Protection lawyer at HM3 Legal in Chester on a yellow background

Bethan Thomas

Associate
Court of Protection
Ceri Burns, HM3 Legal wills solicitor in Chester on a green background

Ceri Burns

Solicitor
Wills & Probate

Christine Sutton

Consultant Solicitor
Commercial Property
clare lawrence

Clare Lawrence

Talent and Engagement Manager
Recruitment
clare mathieson

Clare Mathieson

Associate
Commercial Property

Corinne Vaughan

Associate
Operations Manager, Residential Property
daniel nevin

Daniel Nevin

Associate
Residential Property
daniela keogh

Daniela Keogh

Paralegal
Corporate law

Deana Phillips

Senior Associate
Employment law specialist

Emma Evans

Senior Associate
Family & Relationships
frances williams

Frances Williams

Senior Associate
Wills & Probate
holly thomas

Holly Thomas

Associate
Family & Relationships

Ian Millington

Partner & Legal Services Director
Commercial Property
james cullen

James Cullen

Associate
Commercial Property
joel harries

Joel Harries

Business Support Administrator
HM3 Legal
judith gloria

Judith Gloria

Paralegal
Wills & Probate

Justine Watkinson

Partner & Engagement Director
Employment Law
kathy szeputi

Kathy Szeputi

Head of Brand & Communications
Marketing
lauren douglas

Lauren Douglas

Solicitor
Corporate law
liam holyhead

Liam Holyhead

Paralegal
Litigation
libby ryan

Libby Ryan

Legal Administrator
Wills & Probate
lucy furness

Lucy Furness

Senior Legal Assistant
Commercial Property
megan cockroft

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

Molly Ward

Trainee Solicitor
Commercial & IP
nicole boreham

Nicole Boreham

Client Engagement Manager
Engagement & Innovation
paul beckett

Paul Beckett

Operations and Risk Director
paul hilton

Paul Hilton

Consultant Solicitor
Commercial Recoveries
paul marsh

Paul Marsh

Consultant Solicitor
Insolvency
paula mansfield

Paula Mansfield

Senior Associate
Family & Relationships
peter southeran

Peter Southeran

Consultant Solicitor
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Rachel Hodnett wills and probate lawyer in Chester at HM3 Legal on a yellow background

Rachel Hodnett

Paralegal
Family & Relationships

Richard Burnett

Commercial Director
Helping your business succeed

Richard Owen

Senior Associate
Commercial Dispute Resolution expert
robbie oats

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

Sara Wakefield

Associate
Residential Property
sarah doran

Sarah Doran

Trainee Solicitor
Commercial Litigation
shannon ashley

Shannon Ashley

Paralegal
Wills & Probate

Sophie Bebbington

Senior Associate
Contentious probate and litigation specialist
theo thomas

Theo Thomas

Legal Assistant
Residential Property
wendy randall

Wendy Randall

Probate Practitioner & Senior Associate
Wills & Probate
zoe williams

Zoe Williams

Solicitor
Commercial Property

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At HM3 Legal, we believe in clarity, not complexity. Whether you are seeking legal guidance for your business or navigating a personal matter, our team is here to provide straightforward, expert advice.