At the age of 25 Emma established a firm of solicitors under her maiden name of Leech. Based in Manchester, Leech and Co. grew to 150 staff with over 100 lawyers, becoming one of largest specialist personal injury practices in the North West. In 2014, after over 30 years as managing partner, Emma retired from the law to enable her to pursue her other interests. She returned to London, where she had spent her childhood, and now splits her time between London and Charleston, South Carolina.
During her time in Manchester, Emma was chair of the Association of Women Solicitors (Manchester) and became the first woman chair of the Portico Library. The library, founded in 1806, is a 214-year-old independent subscription library in Manchester city centre and is renowned as the sponsor of the annual Portico Prize. During her time as chair, Emma oversaw the library’s 200-year anniversary celebrations.
In Charleston, Emma is an active member of the Charleston Library Society. Dating back to 1748 the library is the third oldest subscription library in the USA. Emma is also a member of the ESU in Charleston.
Emma has recently completed an MA in the Classics at King’s College, London.
