Emma Hopkins Jones joined Ridley & Hall as a Partner in September 2020, bringing extensive experience as a specialist family law solicitor. Based in Yorkshire, Emma advises on all areas of private family law and is particularly known for her expertise in financial matters following separation, especially in cases involving unmarried couples. Her work in this area has been consistently recognised by the Legal 500.

Emma studied at the University of Warwick before completing her legal training at the College of Law in York, qualifying as a solicitor in 2007. Having practised for many years in both Leeds and York, she has built strong relationships with professionals, businesses and charitable organisations across Yorkshire, enabling her to offer a holistic and well‑rounded service to her clients.

Emma is known for her clear, compassionate and practical approach, and for providing straightforward, jargon‑free advice at what is often a highly emotional and uncertain time. She believes strongly in empowerment through knowledge, and much of her work focuses on helping women understand their legal rights so they can make informed decisions and plan for their future with confidence. This approach underpins Emma’s work on Ridley & Hall’s Empowering Women Through Divorce campaign, which aims to support women navigating separation through clear legal guidance, financial awareness and an emphasis on long‑term security. The campaign reflects Emma’s commitment to ensuring that women have clarity, confidence, and choice when facing a relationship breakdown.

Emma’s practice covers a wide range of family law matters. She advises clients through separation, divorce and dissolution proceedings, financial settlements (including complex property, business assets and pension issues), and arrangements for children. She also has significant experience in sensitive and high‑conflict cases, including those involving domestic abuse, child safeguarding concerns and allegations of alienation. With a background in commercial law firms, Emma has particular expertise in high‑net‑worth cases, while recognising that some of the most challenging matters involve ensuring clients’ future needs and financial security are properly addressed.

In addition to advising clients after separation, Emma places strong emphasis on planning for the future. She regularly advises couples moving in together on declarations of trust and cohabitation agreements, assists those planning marriage or civil partnership with pre‑nuptial agreements, and advises on post‑nuptial agreements. Emma also supports clients conceiving through assisted reproduction, including applications for parental orders in surrogacy cases.

Emma is an active member of Resolution, the national organisation of family lawyers, and sits on both the West & North Yorkshire Resolution Committee and the national Resolution Cohabitation Committee. She is passionate about equality and law reform, particularly regarding the rights of cohabiting couples, and actively campaigns for a family law system that better reflects the realities of modern family life. She is also a member of the Women’s Equality Party and a volunteer adviser for Rights of Women.

Outside of her legal practice, Emma has a keen interest in politics and current affairs, enjoys yoga, and values spending time with her family.

Memberships: 

• Resolution
• Leeds Law Society
• Labour Party
• Women’s Equality Party