Fiona Dodd

Head of the Private Client team since 2019, Fiona joined Mayo Wynne Baxter in 2003, specialising in Wills, Probate and Estate planning.

She has a particular interest in advising farming families in multigenerational planning.

A longstanding member of STEP, Fiona has led her team to rankings in the Legal 500 and Chambers High Net Worth guide, and multiple national awards, including Private Client Practitioner of the Year 2024.

Estate planning and probate can be very emotional. Fiona is very solutions focussed and provides clear and empathetic advice to support families at a difficult time.

Whilst Fiona advises on all aspects of Wills, estate planning and probate, over time she has specialised in advising high net worth families in multi-generational planning, working particularly closely with the rural affairs team for our farming clients. In this context Fiona works closely with other professional advisers including accountants and financial advisers to protect family wealth in a complex tax environment. Fiona has seen an increase in working with accountants to restructure the family business to pass on wealth early, but maintain control for the older generation.

Fiona practice also includes acting as independent administrator in situations where family relationships have broken down after a death. This requires tact and the ability to inspire trust and confidence quickly.

With over 25 years’ experience, longstanding membership of STEP, and rankings in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, Fiona has helped many families, and takes pride in being asked by the next generation to advise having looked after their parents several years ago. Over the years Fiona has saved clients throughout the south east hundreds of thousands of pounds in Inheritance Tax, prevented bereaved families from losing their homes, kept the family business going and had some interesting tasks along the way such as securing heritage relief for a local important artwork.

Having studied Law and French Law at Kings College London and La Sorbonne Paris, Fiona has some insight into cross-border issues for clients. In her early career she qualified as an investment adviser before concentrating on her legal practice, and this understanding of financial services has proved invaluable in her ability to understand clients’ sometimes complex investment strategies.

Fiona now balances her legal work with managing the growing, and award winning Private Client team fostering a supportive and collegiate environment for colleagues to be their best to advise our clients.

Fiona really believes that making a Will shouldn’t be difficult for you, and should not be postponed. Please contact us to make an appointment to discuss your situation.