Emma Harrison is a Legal Director and Head of Private Client at Pickerings Solicitors where, since 2016, she has led the transformation of the firm’s private client team focusing on quality and flexibility of client service.
Since qualification in 1997 Emma has specialised solely in private client work and is a long-standing member of The Law Society Private Client Section and Solicitors for the Elderly. She has been recognised as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500 since 2023, having featured in the rankings for many years previously.
Emma's profound knowledge of and skill for private client work has been built over decades. She has a successful track record in effective management of probate matters and regularly deals with complex estates with multiple assets where trusts are involved.
She works closely with a leading Genealogy firm undertaking estate administration on a large number of intestacy matters each year where entitled beneficiaries have been successfully traced. This can involve tracing assets, liaising with administrators with little knowledge of the deceased and beneficiaries scattered worldwide. It requires diligence, sensitivity, an expert grasp of the intestacy rules along with an understanding of the powers granted to Administrators by legislation.
Other recent Probate matters have involved estates with property portfolios requiring interim management. These estates can prove challenging for meeting inheritance tax liabilities as there is often insufficient accessible cash in the estate to meet the full tax liability. Emma works with executors to find the best solution to meet the tax burden and minimise ongoing interest charges.
When a deceased’s Will has not recently been updated to reflect their latest circumstances, Emma works with beneficiaries, advising upon Deeds of Variation which can achieve a better outcome, either for tax planning purposes or to meet the needs of the beneficiaries and their extended families. Emma recently completed a Deed of Variation to pass property to the grandchildren of the deceased rather than to their children (the original beneficiaries) to assist the children with their own tax planning. The Deed of Variation allowed the property to pass to the next generation without the children having to survive for 7 years under the normal gifting rules.
Emma is knowledgeable and authoritative, friendly and approachable. She builds long-term relationships with clients, their families and carers and works with other professionals to ensure a holistic and consistent approach is taken. Professional contacts make regular referrals to her as they trust her to provide the best service for their clients.
An engaging speaker and presenter, Emma is in demand with her professional network and local community groups to explain how planning ahead for death can be beneficial. She regularly posts on social media about various aspects of private client legal practice.
Emma’s passion and enthusiasm for private client work is infectious and is reflected in her commitment to training future generations of private client lawyers at the firm.
Clients say that Emma is professional and compassionate, skilled and sincere and goes above and beyond. When clients do not have family support, Emma will step into the breach to ensure that their last wishes are executed, even to the extent of climbing a mountain in the Lake District to scatter a client’s ashes.
Contact Emma on 01827 317081 or eharrison@pickerings-solicitors.com
Emma won 'Best Probate Lawyer of the Year 2024' at the Probate Industry Awards, recognised for legal excellence and dedication.
Emma is recommended in The Legal 500 2024 as a Leading Individual, for the second year in a row
Under the leadership of Emma Harrison, the excellent team provides a 'very personal and caring service' at Pickerings Solicitors. It advises many business owners, landowners and high-net-worth individuals on a whole host of trusts, estate planning, succession planning and asset protection matters. Lucy Cooling, who is a member of STEP and of the SFE, is a key figure.
Testimonials
‘I would recommend them for their seamlessness of communication, focus on customer detail and building personal relationships that are supportive and professional. I would particularly like to mention Emma Harrison for her professionalism, enthusiasm and attention to detail’.
‘The team comprises a number of talented & competent lawyers who overall provide a great service to their clients. I would say that the practice is the best in the North Birmingham/North Warwickshire region & bears comparison with the best of the Birmingham City Centre practices’.
Emma was also recommended in The Legal 500 2023 as a Leading Individual
Emma is praised as being 'extremely professional, leaving no stone unturned'
Emma was also recommended in The Legal 500 2022:
‘Pickerings is a very friendly and helpful group. The solicitors and support staff have always responded quickly and efficiently. All my questions have been answered displaying full grasp of the law. Emma Harrison is very friendly, knowledgeable and efficient’.
‘I have dealt with Emma Harrison and her team. Very professional and good value for money’.
‘Emma Harrison is a pleasure to deal with and is always available to give me advice as and when I need it or one of her experienced team is on hand to get the information to her if she is otherwise engaged. I would not hesitate in recommending Emma and her team as the work they carry out is always appropriate and very reasonable’.
Client Testimonials:
Emma has dealt with a number of matters for me over the last couple of years, including winding up estates, preparation of deeds to appoint additional trustees and appropriate registrations of them, in an exemplary manner and I can thoroughly recommend her services.
KH Sept 2024
Emma is always friendly, polite, respectful and extremely efficient.
Anon Mar 2024
The service from Pickerings is consistently high, being both friendly and professional. The communication is clear, concise and timely. The staff are also happy to follow-up if there is any further explanation needed.
Anon Mar 2024
Emma kept me informed throughout and was friendly and efficient. She was very considerate and helpful and took time to listen to me. I would always be happy for her expertise in the future.
AT, Feb 2024
After recently using the services of Pickerings Solicitors, Tamworth, for will-writing and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) work, I am delighted to recommend their lawyer Emma Harrison. Emma provided an exemplary service, combining a down-to-earth, friendly personal style with professionalism and courtesy at all times. Emma explained complex legal concepts and issues clearly, put my wife and myself at ease and maintained an ongoing email dialogue between formal meetings. Documentation and engagement with external agencies was all handled very well and I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her, her team and Pickerings to anyone seeking high-quality legal services. In fact, this is the third time I have used Pickerings, having previously used you to set up my limited company many years ago and, more recently, to resolve an employment tribunal case.
SH Jan 2024
Emma kindly visited us at home, in view of my husbands ill health. She was charming and very professional.
Anon Dec 2023
The services offered by Pickerings are of the highest available. Clients are taken through the journey of the product they require with expertise and clarity, I totally recommend Emma Harrison and the team.
Anon July 2023
Top Class Service
KTP July 2023
I could not have asked for better attention from Emma Harrison, at a very challenging time for us. I have already recommended your firm and there's nothing I can suggest that you could improve on.
Anon July 2023
Emma kindly came to my home. I was very satisfied with the manner in which she dealt with my will. She was personable, knowledgeable and competent.
Altogether, a faultless service.
SM June 2023
Emma provides an excellent, efficient and friendly service across both personal and business matters. I thoroughly recommend Pickerings.
Anon May 2023
I have been using the services of Emma Harrison for a number of years and she always provides 1st class service. I am always really pleased with everything, Emma is very efficient I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her.
HA May 2023
Pickerings provided a prompt and efficient service in a pleasant and helpful manner. Emma was excellent and I would recommend to others.
GB April 2023
Emma Harrison has always been extremely efficient with her advice and knows how to handle difficult problems.
An overall excellent service from Pickerings Solicitors.
30 Mar 2023
What a great team! My family and I will be forever grateful to Emma, after months of stress with another solicitor firm, we were at the end of our tether. After appointing Pickerings, Emma got us the result we needed. She was friendly, professional and explained everything clearly. Communication throughout the company was excellent and Emma was always fast to respond. I have complete trust in Pickerings and are happy to recommend them to family and friends.
KB Jan 2023
Very efficient with really good service. Kept us informed and did everything we asked of them. Would recommend them to friends and family. Emma was really professional and friendly. Felt very relaxed when meeting with her.
Anon October 2022
I found Pickerings very helpful and understanding on the death of my husband. Thank you.
EB Oct 22
Emma is very knowledgeable and a good sense of humour!
SS Aug 22
Emma was always very professional and informative.. All communication has been prompt, responsive and clear.
SC Aug 22
Excellent, personal service
SA August 22
Emma was fantastic throughout our dealings with her. Talked us clearly through all the procedures and explained any 'legal speak' that we couldn't understand. Emails and phone calls made or sent were answered quickly. During a difficult and sad time for our family, Emma took a lot of stress and pressure off our shoulders.
CG August 22
Emma has been our solicitor since my father died in 2018 and his solicitor for a number of years before that. I cannot rate Emma's advice and excellent professional support highly enough. Her calm care of the whole family during such an emotional time was incredibly helpful. She also knew my father and could bring his voice into all decisions.
DH June 22
We have been supported over many years with kindness and skill. Some complicated legal issues have been sorted out for us. Thank you so much Emma.
L & J G
My first time in engaging the services of Pickerings Solicitors in respect of my wills and found their level of service excellent, very professional and efficient. I will have no hesitation in contacting them again for professional legal advice.
AH March 2022
Emma Harrison has given me good sound advice when I ask.
HB Feb 2022
Emma Harrison is a professional, friendly and very helpful solicitor. She immediately puts you at your ease and deals with your situation to an extremely high standard. I would have no hesitation in recommending her.
Anon Dec 2021
I have used Pickerings Solicitors for a number of years for Wills, Power of Attorney, Probate and conveyancing. I have always been treated with the utmost courtesy and with professionalism. Wouldn't use another company.
SB Sept 2021
The service was both very professional and attentive. Emma was able to provide a great deal of specialist advice that fitted our specific circumstances and did this in a pleasant and thoughtful manner. We wouldn't hesitate using Pickerings Solicitors again and would certainly recommend using their services to other friends and family. Specialist advice was regarding our disabled child.
KS July 2021
I was very happy with the service that I received. Although I didn't visit the office due to Covid, Emma communicated very effectively by letter and telephone and sorted out any queries or requests kindly and efficiently. PW May 2021
'At a time of huge distress we could not have asked for more support in concluding a family members estate. Emma guided us, explained everything to us and kept us informed at all times. Professional,approachable, excellent service. We would not hesitate to recommend Emma Harrison and Pickerings to anyone. '
Mr RT March 2021
