EMG Way drives law firm’s continued growth

When founders Emma Gaudern and Jemma Morland established EMG Solicitors in 2014, they had a vision for a different kind of law firm – one that delivered exceptional client service while offering a supportive and nurturing environment where colleagues could reach their full potential.

Fast forward to 2025 and EMG Solicitors now boasts five offices across the North: Durham, Newcastle, Darlington, Penrith and Manchester, as well as a new base in the South.

The law firm’s continued growth and success – which over the last year has seen colleague headcount increase by 16 per cent to 178, and revenue grow by 35 per cent – has been attributed to its ongoing commitment to ‘The EMG Way’. The company-wide vision puts clients at the heart of its work and is driven by a passion to give back to the communities it serves.

Jemma, director and head of Court of Protection property and affairs, says: “We care about our clients and their best interests remain our top priority.

“It is the foundation of our practice.

“This approach has allowed us to attract some of the best talent in the industry and expand our services across the country.

“Our Court of Protection property and affairs team is one of the fastest growing areas at EMG Solicitors.

“With 50 colleagues, we are one of the largest independent Court of Protection teams in the UK, with our work nationally recognised through The Chambers and Partners UK Legal Guide.

“We also offer services in Court of Protection health and welfare, mental health, community care and education, and have a further 22 colleagues working in this area led by director Eilish Ferry-Kennington.

“Earlier this year, we welcomed departmental director Tim Bennett, who joins our director Rebecca Sparrow in the South.

“Tim’s appointment has helped strengthen our national presence and supports our growth plans.

“Owing to the talent and expertise in our Court of Protection team, I’m very proud of the service we’re able to offer our clients.”

Another area of growth is the firm’s residential conveyancing team, which supports clients in all areas of buying and selling property or land, including mortgages, refinancing, transfer of equity, preparation of auction packs and repossession, sale and purchases.

Headed by director Richard Swinbank, the team has grown from 23 to 31 colleagues over the past 12 months, something he puts down to the firm’s people-first approach.

He says: “Client excellence is a key priority, and to deliver that well, we need to make our people a priority too.”

Ian Burke, head of people and culture, adds: “To support our colleagues in their personal and professional development, we have invested in the design and delivery of a highly successful leadership programme, developed with our five EMG values at its heart.

“In the last month, we’ve seen 16 colleagues complete our year-long EMerGing Leadership programme, equipping them with the skills to progress in management roles.

“We’ve also supported a number of colleagues to complete our EMerGing Talent programme, which provides pathways for new colleagues and trainee lawyers to develop their legal careers at the firm.

“Our ongoing investment in our colleagues has helped us achieve many accolades, including B Corp Status; Continuing Excellence status in the Better Health at Work Awards; winning Private Client Firm of the Year at the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards 2024; Investors in People (Silver); and featuring in The Times and Sunday Times UK list of 100 Best Places to Work 2024.”

EMG Solicitors also continues to support the professional development and quality of service within the legal sector.

In May, the firm will host its 11th annual Managing & Improving Your Catastrophic Injury Caseload Conference, in Manchester, designed specifically for those involved in managing complex and catastrophic injury caseloads, and supporting clients with catastrophic injuries. The law firm will also mark another milestone in 2025 as it celebrates the tenth anniversary of its WonderLAN Ball, a charity event in support of Headway – the brain injury association.

Through the annual fundraiser, EMG Solicitors has so far donated more than £140,000 to the charity, supporting brain injury survivors and their family members, carers and volunteers to enjoy fun-filled activity weekends at the Calvert Trust, in Kielder.

A key part of EMG Solicitors’ growth plans is continuing its charitable support in the communities it serves. With its own EMG Community Fund, five per cent of the law firm’s profits are donated to local charities, grassroots initiatives and voluntary organisations across the regions in which it operates.

Jemma adds: “I firmly believe the reason for our firm’s ongoing growth and success is down to living our values of co-operation, courage, excellence, integrity and kindness.

“From day one, our approach has always been about supporting clients, protecting assets and changing lives.

“It’s a privilege to make a difference for people, whether that’s helping them to buy their first home, ensuring they enjoy fulfilling and rewarding lives, or supporting initiatives that enhance their local communities.

“We’re here to make client’s lives better, and it’s that belief that drives me and my amazing colleagues to make EMG Solicitors the best we can be.”

EMG Solicitors
www.emgsolicitors.com
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