Imagine a law firm… EMG celebrates tenth anniversary

Imagining a law firm is exactly what lawyers Emma Gaudern and Jemma Morland did back in 2014.

Their vision was to create a law firm that would make a positive difference to people’s lives – to the lives of its clients, colleagues and their local communities.

Ten years later, EMG Solicitors has come a long way since the duo first put their heads together and imagined their ideal law firm, which, as Emma affectionately refers, would create a new way of working with a fresh approach and be a place of joyful employment.

And the business has followed through on that vision, seeing incredible growth and, most importantly, making a positive impact on those it works with.

Values that very much remain at its heart.

Investing in local communities

With a headcount of 148 and premises in Durham, Penrith, Newcastle, Darlington and Manchester, the business also has plans for further expansion in the South after the recent appointment of its 11th director Rebecca Sparrow.

Alongside supporting clients with legal services including wills, trusts and probate, family, dispute resolution, residential conveyancing, commercial property and its specialism in Court of Protection (COP), the team also devotes time to raising much- needed funds for local communities.

Every year, the firm donates five per cent of company profits through the EMG Community Fund, providing charitable grants to organisations including Newcastle Women’s Aid, Durham City Youth Project and the Walk & Talk Trust, to name just a few.

Added to that are the fundraising efforts of the annual WonderLAN charity ball, which has amassed an impressive £100,000 for Headway, the brain injury association.

A team that makes a difference to clients’ lives

True to Emma and Jemma’s original vision, EMG Solicitors takes pride in making a real difference to clients’ lives, whether that’s helping them buy their first home or offering advice on planning for their family’s future.

And with their specialist knowledge of COP law, they provide the support, or ‘scaffolding’, around clients who don’t have capacity to make important financial or welfare decisions for themselves.

Placing a huge value on family, EMG Solicitors cares passionately about the community, and specialising in these sectors means it sees first-hand some of the fantastic work done by charities and community groups.

It was one of the reasons the firm set up its own fund with County Durham Community Foundation.

Managing director Emma believes it’s the company’s positive culture and desire to proactively nurture talent that are just some of the reasons

it has been so successful at delivering a positive experience for clients and people.

She says: “From the start, we had a clear vision of creating an environment where our people could really thrive and deliver the very best service to our clients, and I’m proud to say we have achieved just that.

“It’s been an incredible ten years, and personal highlights include seeing our COP team and total number of colleagues grow significantly.

“To think we are now a team of 148, with a national client offering, is just incredible.

“The opening of the Manchester office also has a special place in my heart.

“Being a Mancunian, I always had a dream of opening an office there, so making that a reality has been very special.

“None of this, of course, would be possible without the talented people we have working here, and I would like to thank each and every one of them.”

EMG has marked several milestones in recent years, which include being named as a tier one law firm for its personal tax, trust and probate work in the Legal 500 rankings, and Emma ranked a ‘leading individual’ by the trusted industry directory.

In 2022, the firm also won the ‘UK Employer of the Year: Silver’ at the national Investors in People Awards, and the CIPD North East of England Excellence in Leadership Award.

Jemma, EMG Solicitors’ director and co-founder, says: “It really has been an incredible journey so far. “The last ten years have brought some wonderful people into our lives; clients, colleagues and professional partners.

“I sometimes have to pinch myself to think about how far we have come since Emma and I founded the company.

“I still vividly remember that first day in February 2014, and being armed with power tools to put up the furniture and a pot plant that was kindly gifted from my mum, who optimistically set us the challenge of keeping it alive as long as the business.

“Sadly, while EMG goes from strength-to-strength, I can’t quite say the same for the shrub in question. Sorry mum!”

As the firm marks its tenth anniversary, it also records a 30 per cent increase in turnover, as well as a 55 per cent increase in team members in the last 12 months.

It has also expanded its team of COP specialists to 51. However, the firm is determined this growth won’t change the values so central to its work.

Ian Burke, head of people and culture, adds: “Our core values of co-operation, courage, excellence, integrity and kindness are central to how we relate to both our colleagues and our clients.

“When you get culture and engagement right, it’s amazing what can be achieved in a business.

“This year, our key focus is to identify how our processes align with our core values, and to infuse these into our client experience.

“As we grow, providing the best possible service to our clients and making a positive difference to our local communities will remain our priorities.

“These values will be with us for our next ten years and beyond.”

www.emgsolicitors.com

@EMGSolicitors