We’re delighted to announce that SP Law has merged with EMW.  The deal gives SP Law’s clients access to the wider breadth of legal services offered by EMW whilst accelerating EMW’s ambitious growth plans and sees its return to Northampton after a 16 year absence,

EMW is a full-service law firm with offices in Milton Keynes, London, Gatwick and Brighton, and works with both UK and international clients. It recently secured B Corp certification, awarded to companies that place social good and environmental stewardship at the heart of their business.

The firm is focused on delivering an ambitious growth strategy, targeting both organic growth and further complementary mergers.

Hassan Shah, Director at SP Law, said: “Sundip and I have our roots in Northampton and together with our wonderful team, have been privileged to serve our local community over the past 19 or so years. Our recent move to 8 Spencer Parade was part of our strategy to support the town centre. We are confident that the return of EMW to Northampton will be great for the town – it is also a clear signal that Northampton has a thriving and dynamic business community and is a place worthy of investment. We look forward to this exciting new chapter for both firms”.

James Geary, Managing Partner at EMW, said: “We’re pleased to be able to announce the merger with SP Law , which will see the firm’s return to Northampton, where it launched back in 1992.  Whilst the Northamptonshire market has served us well despite our absence, we recognise that a physical presence in the county will increase our opportunities.

“The deal will allow us to accelerate growth, build market share and ensure we’re investing in innovation and attracting the very best talent. Hassan and Sundip have built a well-established and highly respected firm with the same values and ethos as ours, and we look forward to working together to deliver on our shared ambitions.” Find out more about EMW here.

We are sponsors of Wellingborough Town Football Club, the Wellingborough Rotary Club Music Festival and the golf day for the Charity ‘Away with Pain’.

Ann Frost

As a private client lawyer practising in Northampton and Wellingborough for over 40 years, Ann has unrivalled experience as a solicitor specialising in Probate, estate administration, the preparation of Wills and Trusts, Inheritance tax planning.  Additionally, she has expertise in property matters and older client issues, including asset protection.

Ann is a member of the Law Society Private Client Section and a Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner. Since 2004 she has also practised as a Notary Public (www.thenotariessociety.org.uk).

Outside of work, Ann is a season ticket holder at Northampton Town Football Club, having been a supporter through good times and bad for over 48 years.

Stephen Wood

Stephen practises as a consultant solicitor in dispute resolution.  He was Called to the Bar in 1998 and was admitted as a Solicitor in 2002. He has considerable experience representing businesses and individuals in employment claims (including settlement agreements and employment tribunal matters) and civil disputes (including contentious probate claims, business and shareholder issues, landlord and tenant disputes, contractual disputes and personal injury claims).  In 2017 Stephen studied at Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation.

Stephen is also an ADR Group Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator (2011), an ADR Group Accredited Workplace Mediator (2013), a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb) and a member of the Civil Mediation Council.  He has undertaken over 50 mediations.  Stephen was a judge at the INADR’s International Law School Mediation Competitions in 2017 (at Strathclyde University), in 2016 (in Athens) and in 2015 (in London). Stephen also represents clients at mediations as a mediation advocate.  Stephen’s broad civil and commercial dispute resolution experience helps him mediate and represent clients at mediations effectively on a wide range of civil and commercial mediations.

In 2017 Stephen was appointed as a Chairperson for the Valuation Tribunal of England, which hears appeals regarding non-domestic (business) rates and Council Tax.