North East firm's free gift to 12 small businesses

Jan 13 2010 by Chris Knox, The Journal

NORTH East law firm Emmersons Solicitors is marking its 12th anniversary by giving away free legal advice to 12 fledgling businesses in the region.

The Sunderland-based firm, which was set up in 1998 by entrepreneur Jacqueline Emmerson, and has increased its turnover by 70% since inception, has agreed to help other businesses by giving a session of free legal advice to 12 firms less than two years old.

Mrs Emmerson, who heads the firm’s Gosforth office, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating our 12th birthday and would love to encourage other small businesses to see their 12th year, so we are offering to help them achieve this by giving free legal advice to the first 12 businesses that contact us to help them get on their way.

“In 1998, I took a lease on premises in John Street, Sunderland and single-handedly started my own legal practice.

“Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our firm’s achievements than by helping to assist other SMEs to build upon their success.”

Michael Robinson, who is Jacqueline’s husband and heads the Sunderland branch, said: “We already deal with business disputes, commercial conveyancing and leases for a number of businesses.”