Build & Sustainability
How EMG Solicitors is putting down roots in Darlington
September 11, 2023
At the start of the year, leading law firm EMG Solicitors opened a base in Darlington town centre. Set in the newly-developed Coniscliffe House, on Coniscliffe Road, the hub added to its existing offices in Gosforth, Penrith, Manchester and EMG’s Durham headquarters, where the business was founded. Eight months on, lawyer Sarah Jackson – a director in the Court of Protection team – continues to develop her role as office lead. Here, the Darlington local explains how the team is working to become part of its local communities and support the lives of the people it works with.
“I was attracted to working at EMG Solicitors for many reasons but, in particular, I really admired their nationally-respected reputation for Court of Protection work, which is my specialist practice area,” says Sarah.
“As someone from Darlington, who went to school here and is now bringing up my family here, it seemed an obvious choice.”
The Court of Protection becomes involved when someone is unable to make decisions on their own behalf, with the court appointing a solicitor to manage that person’s property and affairs, and make decisions for their personal health and welfare.
EMG’s expertise in this area is highlighted through several accreditations with lawyers at the firm also becoming the first legal representatives to be certified to offer advice on health and welfare matters under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
And even now they’re still among only a handful of accredited professionals with mental capacity expertise and experience of working with vulnerable people and their families in the North East.
As an award-winning Legal 500 law firm, EMG’s commitment to delivering exceptional client service, and investment in its people, is central to its success.
The last 12 months has seen turnover at the firm rise by 26 per cent, with an additional 35 colleagues joining the firm – which reached its ninth anniversary in February – in 2023 so far.
As part of its strategic growth plans, this year also saw the opening of the firm’s Manchester office.
From its starting point in Durham in 2014, to a team of 141 today, co-founder and managing director Emma Gaudern has always insisted that changing people’s lives – including those of EMG’s team, its clients, their families and their local communities – is why the firm exists.
Sarah adds: “EMG Solicitors has strong values and firmly believes in putting something back into the communities it serves.
“Darlington is no exception, and the firm runs its own charitable fund, in partnership with County Durham Community Foundation, to support grassroots community groups, donating five per cent of our annual profits.”
From each of its office locations, EMG Solicitors is proud to offer a range of services to clients that include Court of Protection, wills, trusts and probate, family, dispute resolution, residential conveyancing and commercial property.
EMG’s property teams have seen significant growth in the last 12 months, with 33 colleagues now servicing clients nationwide.
The residential conveyancing team has recently strengthened its client offering in Darlington with the appointment of three new colleagues, including licensed conveyancer Gillian Haines.
Sarah says: “I’m really looking forward to leading the Darlington office through further growth and supporting both clients and businesses across our region.
“Our base in Coniscliffe House offers us a fantastic opportunity to be central to the exciting developments that are taking place in the town centre.
“With the opening of Darlington’s Economic Campus in 2021, which houses staff from eight Government departments including the Treasury and the Department for Education, Darlington is certainly thriving, and we are delighted to be part of that.”
“There are plans to bring even more jobs to Darlington too and areas across the town are being redeveloped, including the station.”
Sarah adds: “These changes are making a massive difference to the area, and there’s a lot of buzz around town.
“It’s a great place to be and we’re proud to be here for the long term, supporting Darlington, our North East communities and beyond.”