Emma is a senior associate in the charities and philanthropy team.
Her practice involves advising charities on their governance and operational issues. She is also a core member of the cross-departmental Withers education practice.
Recent work includes advising charities and other not-for-profit organisations on registration, mergers and collaborations, projects and contracts, constitutional issues and fundraising law. She specialises in advising education providers including independent schools, academies, Higher Education and Further Education establishments. She also acts for philanthropists, investors and sponsors of education-related ventures.
Emma is described as ‘very impressive' and ‘attentive, proactive and all round a great associate' by Chambers & Partners, and is a 'Rising Star' and 'Recommended Individual' in Legal 500, where she is described as 'helpful, clear, knowledgeable and efficient'. She was listed in the top 25 advisors under 35 by Charity Finance Magazine.
Recent recognition
Me in a minute
I count myself fortunate to serve some of the most exciting clients in the world
Initially drawn more to the works of the Venerable Bede than those of William Blackstone, I didn’t actually decide to become a lawyer until rather late into my time as an undergraduate historian at Oxford. Whatever profession I chose, I knew it had to be something I could be proud of; now I count myself fortunate to serve some of the most exciting clients in the world - charities and not-for-profit organisations – whose aims and accomplishments inspire me every day.
Working with charities means encountering the extraordinary, the amusing and the frankly surreal on a regular basis. I challenge any lawyer to find a client type more varied and interesting.
I work with the full spectrum of charities and not-for-profit bodies, from grant makers to humanitarian organisations, galleries and museums to medical charities, to name just a few. I also focus on acting for schools and education providers. I actually spent a year teaching in an international school; I’ve been a school governor of a voluntary aided school, run youth groups and I currently mentor students. Add a husband who works in an independent school and it has become a rather well-rounded interest.
In addition to learning Japanese, I love painting and composing overly-dramatic piano music. I also have a particular interest in the environment and sustainability.