JACQUELINE EMMERSON Founder, Emmersons Solicitors.
What did you set out to achieve this year?
The last two years have been very strange due to Covid. Our aim was to get back to some sense of normal and to continue building upon foundations for the business that were cemented six years ago.
Has everything gone according to plan?
It took longer than we anticipated for various reasons but I’m very pleased to say that we are now back to where we need to be. In fact we are in a much stronger position than we were previously.
How has the business adapted following the pandemic?
We were very fast off the mark during the pandemic. Having lived through the last recession we knew which decisions had to be made quickly. The furlough scheme was announced on the Sunday afternoon, on the Monday morning we had a meeting with our senior staff and worked out who would be furloughed and how we would then cover the workloads. In the afternoon I renegotiated or cancelled nearly every contract that we had with suppliers.
We had already invested heavily in IT and telephone systems and we swung into action moving staff off site. It quickly became evident that many of our competitors had not achieved the same. We now use technology much more to our advantage and have just invested in a faster Conveyancing support package.
What are you most proud of this year?
The fact that we have been able to offer clients far more flexibility in how we offer them appointments. Some clients are keen to visit our offices as they always did. But for many the ability to have a consultation by Teams and telephone has been a huge saving of time. Making your will during your lunch break has never been easier.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve received this year?
That we have a strong business model, strong ethics and strong brand after being in business for nearly 25 years and that we should be very proud of that.
How has your team changed?
I am pleased to say that we have a calm, productive and collaborative team who take a huge pride in their work. Internal promotions have allowed some staff to step up to the mark and they have been very successful in what they have achieved.
What have you learnt about yourself this year?
That I still have a huge amount of resilience which is necessary to run a law firm and to overcome obstacles that businesses face from time to time.
What’s been the most enjoyable business social event you have attended?
My admission ceremony at The Law Society in London. I qualified in 1991 after two years as an articled clerk, and was unable to attend my ceremony then. I thought it was game over until I found out recently that you can attend whenever you choose. So me and my husband/ Co-Director Michael Robinson were admitted on the same day. It made me feel very proud of everything that I have achieved in my 33 year career. Not least is the fact that I have kept going for that long in such a highly pressured profession.
Describe 2022 in three words…
Flourishing, Thriving, Trustworthiness.
What are your aims for 2023?
To continue to build upon the successes of our award winning Wills and Probate Team. We were voted Private Client Team of the Year at the British Wills and Probate Awards after building up our enhanced offering to clients. We go above and beyond for our clients, supporting them when society has allowed them to fall through the cracks. My aim is to make sure everyone knows just how much we can help them.