Jennifer Emms
Jennifer specialises in private client law (including onshore/offshore tax, trusts and succession together with disclosure and transparency regimes and art), charity law and philanthropy. Her passion for the charity sector began with a secondment to a large youth charity as a trainee solicitor, which gave her a lasting insight into the day-to-day running of charities. Jennifer has advised both grant-making and operating charities in every stage of their lifespan, from establishment to winding up and on a variety of ongoing issues such as governance, conflicts of interest, investment duties, mergers, commercial participation, reporting serious incidents and grant-making (including to overseas organisations). She has advised on amendments to governing documents, including the Charter and byelaws of a Royal Charter charity, and changes of trustee.
Her expertise as a private wealth lawyer means Jennifer is well equipped to advise donors on gift aid and other tax reliefs on charitable contributions and legacies, including in matters with an international dimension.
Jennifer recently led the legal team at Maurice Turnor Gardner to successfully exonerate a former trustee of Kids Company in High Court disqualification proceedings: this was one of the biggest, most complex, high profile cases in the charity sector in recent years. The positive outcome will have been a huge relief for trustees nationwide, as well as those involved, and the judgment was decisive and crucial in clarifying key principles in the operation of charities.
Jennifer is also head of pro bono at the firm.