Imagining a new style of law firm is exactly what lawyers Emma Gaudern and Jemma Morland did way back when in 2014. To not just dream but create a company 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. Creating a new way of working with a fresh approach and place of ‘joyful employment’ as Emma affectionately refers. With the icing on the cake, becoming recent winners of the Private Client Firm of the Year 2024 at The Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards last month.
Investing in local communities
With a headcount of 148 colleagues 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 their eleventh Director, Rebecca Sparrow.
Alongside supporting clients with legal services including Wills, trusts and probate, family, dispute resolution, residential conveyancing, commercial property and their specialism in Court of Protection (COP), the team also devote time to raising much needed funds for their local communities. Every year donating 5% of company profits through the EMG Community Fund, providing charitable grants to organisations and grassroots community groups.
Added to that are the fundraising efforts of the annual WonderLAN charity ball which since it started has raised over £100,000 for Headway, the brain injury association.
A team that makes a difference to their clients’ lives
True to Emma and Jemma’s original vision, EMG Solicitors take pride in making a real difference to their 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 Court of Protection law, they provide the support or ‘scaffolding’ around clients who don’t have capacity to make important financial or welfare decisions for themselves.
As the firm marks its 10th anniversary, it also records a 30% increase in turnover in the last 12 months, as well as a 55% increase in team members and an expanding cabinet of awards for their ongoing leadership and client service.
Emma Gaudern, Managing Director, EMG Solicitors said: “From the start we had a clear vision of creating an environment where our people could really thrive.
It’s been an incredible 10 years and personal highlights for me 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! And winning Private Client Firm of the Year at The Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards was a real wow moment! Just amazing! I’m so proud of our teams in our tenth birthday year who go above and beyond every day to deliver an amazing service and to see that being recognised.
The opening of the Manchester office also has a special place in my heart. Being a fellow 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 our award is for each and every one of them.”
Alongside their recent award, EMG Solicitors has marked several milestones including being named as a tier one law firm for its personal tax, trust and probate work in the Legal 500 rankings. With Emma also being ranked a ‘Leading individual’ in the Legal 500 listing.
Jemma Morland, Director and Co-Founder of EMG Solicitors said: “The last 10 years have brought some wonderful people into our lives; clients, colleagues and professional partners. I’m so proud of our recent award which is real credit to our wonderful team and the great things they are doing every day. We were up against some outstanding firms, so winning means so much.”
Find out more about EMG Solicitors at
www.emgsolicitors.com