Emma Pearmaine is our Managing Director, winner of the Yorkshire Law Awards Managing Partner of the Year Award 2020. Emma is very proud to have supported our people to win Yorkshire Law Awards Small Law Firm of the Year Award 2019 and to be shortlisted for the same award in 2020.

As a family and matrimonial specialist for over 20 years, she has represented clients in divorce and children cases. She has particular niche expertise in matrimonial cases involving challenging business, pension, maintenance and other finance issues.

Emma joined Ridley & Hall as a Director in 2017. She started her career in Huddersfield and later moved to Leeds to work with clients nationally in her role as Director of Family Legal Services at Simpson Millar LLP. Emma is instructed by clients from across England and Wales.

As Trustee for the London based charity The Corporate Alliance Against Domestic Violence, Emma is considered to be a go to expert on domestic violence issues.

In 2018, Emma was shortlisted in the Forward Ladies National Awards 2018, Female Entrepreneur of the Year category in Yorkshire, North East and Scotland.

Chambers and Partners 2017 describes her as: “A specialist in domestic violence cases, ancillary relief and private children law. She wins acclaim for her calm approach and ability to navigate through complex points of law. A recent client enthuses: “I would recommend her to anyone!” “

Emma is recommended in the Legal 500 United Kingdom 2020 for her work in the family law sector.

Clients recommend Emma Pearmaine and she is seen regularly delivering speeches, as Family Law expert regularly giving seminars and training to charities, companies, police forces  and sector specialists. She can often be heard speaking on the radio and is much quoted in the press on this topic as she campaigns to raise awareness about domestic violence related issues.

In 2014 she won the Modern Lawyer ‘Lawyer of the Year’ Award.

She has been a member of the Multi Party Family Courts Parliamentary Group. Emma is also Immediate Past President of Leeds Law Society and member of their executive committee.

Emma is a key member of the Ridley & Hall management team. The Modern Law Award recognised her strong management and leadership ability resulting in the very rapid and expansive development of national Family Legal Services at Simpson Millar. She has brought all this experience and expertise to Ridley & Hall, working with her colleagues to develop all aspects of the business.

Emma is as interested in the development of legal process and services as she is in the delivery of them.

Emma is married and is the very proud mother of 2 sons. In her spare time she loves to be with her family and friends, she cooks up a storm in the kitchen, enjoys walking the dog in the countryside and loves curling up with a good book.