I studied at the University of Leeds and undertook my Legal Practice Course in York. I trained with Addleshaw Goddard (then Addleshaw Booth & Co) and qualified as a solicitor in 1999, based in Manchester. I qualified into the private client team and undertook Wills, trusts, probate and inheritance tax planning work, mainly for high net worth individuals. I then moved to Pannone, where I began to do some work with disabled and incapacitated individuals who had suffered injuries and made compensation claims. I continued my general private client practice and it was at this time that I co-authored “Probate and the Administration of Estates: The Law and Practice”. I also began to lecture extensively for Central Law Training on aspects of probate and trust administration.

In 2004 I set up the private client department at Alexander Harris, again undertaking work with disabled individuals and also general private client work. It was at this point that I gained much more experience and insight into dealing with the needs of those with brain injuries, particularly those who have claimed compensation and are therefore extremely vulnerable due to their significant assets.

Upon the merger of Alexander Harris and Irwin Mitchell in 2006, I joined DWF in order to create a private client team in Manchester, eventually becoming team leader across all the offices. In 2010 I decided to relocate to the North East as my partner was living and working in Sunderland. I worked for BHP Law for nearly four years, eventually deciding to set up EMG Solicitors Limited in early 2014.

We undertake all areas of Wills, trusts, probate and tax planning work, and have a particular focus upon dealing with Court of Protection and trusts work for vulnerable beneficiaries. I am deputy for over 40 individuals and a trustee of a further 15-20 trusts. I manage funds valued at over £40m. As a practice we aim to deliver a consistently high standard of service to all our individuals. We take the time to get to know our clients and understand their requirements, and work hard to meet their expectations.

I am a Director at EMG Solicitors Limited and I specialise in Court of Protection and Trust matters. I ordinarily represent clients who are incapacitated, as defined by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and I often act as a professional deputy and trustee.

I qualified as a solicitor in 2010 after undertaking my training contract at a high street firm in Wallsend. During my training contract, and post qualification, I specialised in family law, housing law, social welfare law and Court of Protection matters. This experience has proved invaluable because it has broadened my understanding of various areas often touched upon by Court of Protection cases.

I have a varied caseload and I manage the affairs of a large number of vulnerable people, usually those who have lost capacity due to an injury at birth, catastrophic accidents, illness or learning disability. I am involved in lots of cases where there is also a personal injury litigation case and I am experienced in both pre and post settlement administration.

As well as regular client contact, I am also responsible for general day to day money management, overseeing financial investments, the completion of annual tax returns, reporting to the OPG, advising on and drafting all types of Court of Protection applications (see our services section for details), close co-ordination with relatives, case managers, carers and therapists and the purchase of assets including suitable accommodation and adapted vehicles. This list is just an example of what my role entails and is not exhaustive.

In addition to my Court of Protection work I manage numerous personal injury trusts, where the client has capacity but their personal injury award needs to be protected, and I also provide advice to lay deputies who want to apply to act as a deputy for a close family member or friend.

I joined EMG solicitors in December 2015 as an associate solicitor and specialise in all aspects of residential conveyancing.

I qualified in September 2007 and have worked at a number of small to medium sized firms throughout the North East including Close Thornton LLP in Darlington and Bond Dickinson LLP in Newcastle.

I predominately deal with the sale and purchase of residential properties and act for clients all over the Country. I also deal with remortgages, investment properties and transfer of equity matters amongst various other property matters.

Here at EMG Solicitors we believe in providing a bespoke conveyancing service that competes on quality rather than the price. We understand that each property transaction is different and the service provided to each client will be tailored to fit their needs. Throughout my career, I have found that being able to communicate clearly is key throughout any transaction which is why I like to provide all my clients with regular, realistic and accurate updates.

Working with clients on a day to day basis so that excellent working relationships can be built is rewarding and has lead to further work from clients and referrers alike . Each day is different and approached in the same proactive, professional manner so that I can provide my clients with what they require enabling them to complete their transaction successfully and promptly.

I joined EMG Solicitors in February 2018 as an Associate within the Commercial Property Department. Since moving to the North East over a decade ago I have worked at both large and medium sized commercial firms in Durham and Newcastle including Ward Hadaway, Gordon Brown Law Firm and Mincoffs Solicitors providing advice on a wide range of commercial property transactions.

In my role, I act for a wide range of clients including companies, individuals, partnerships, pension funds, charities and lenders, advising on their commercial property needs. My main areas of expertise are:

· Commercial property acquisitions and disposals for individuals, companies, pension funds and property developers, including dealing with any lending aspects of these transactions;

· Acting for commercial landlords - advising on the grant of new leases, licences and consents;

· Advising commercial tenants - advising on their new leases, the purchase of existing leases and how to bring their current leases to an end;

· Assisting new business start-ups and SME’s - providing advice on how best to take on their first commercial premises;

· Care home matters - advising care home operators in the acquisition, sale, leasing and refinancing of their homes;

· Property insolvency matters - acting for administrators, liquidators and companies on both sides of the transaction.

I work closely with clients advisors which include their accountants, surveyors, lenders or financial advisors to ensure the team around them work efficiently and effectively together. I am a firm believer in the importance of understanding the client’s business and will always take the time to get to know them, their business and their team of advisors.

I am a Director with EMG Solicitors joining in February 2016. I specialise in the drafting of Wills, Powers of Attorney, mental capacity, estate administration, trust administration, inheritance tax planning and asset protection.

I graduated from Oxford University with a degree in English Language and Literature and then completed both the CPE and Legal Practice Course at Northumbria University graduating with a distinction in each.

I qualified as a solicitor in 2007 into the Private Client Department of Ward Hadaway Solicitors in Newcastle after completing my training there. I worked for the following 8 years at Ward Hadaway undertaking all elements of Private Client work.

I work for a diverse range of clients from private individuals, business owners, farmers and trustees. I advise on estate planning so families can plan for the next generation and pass assets down, including advice on inheritance tax planning and the available reliefs and exemptions. When giving advice in respect of the mitigation of inheritance tax on death I consider the effect of life policies and pension death benefits together with the redirection of estate entitlement via a Deed of Variation.

I work closely with my client’s other professional advisors, such as accountants, financial advisors, stockbrokers and land agents to ensure the best solution is reached for my client.

Joining EMG Solicitors in December 2015 as their Practice Manager, I bring with me over 25 years of experience, operating at a managerial position within the Accountancy Practice for one of the North East’s largest Law Firms.

Initially starting out on a Youth Training Scheme in 1986, I am now qualified in both management and legal accounts and, over the years, I have built up vast experience in many areas including; Practice Management, Accounting & Finance, HR and Facilities.