Gemma Holmes
Director and Deputy Head of Dispute Resolution
Job Role at EMG
I am a Director in the Dispute Resolution team, specialising in family law and matrimonial cases. I qualified as a Solicitor in February 2010 and joined EMG Solicitors in July 2019. I advise and assist clients in all areas of family law and am experienced in dealing with divorce, separation, financial matters, private arrangements for children, cases involving domestic violence and pre/post nuptial agreements. Whilst I usually manage to resolve my cases without the need to involve the court, I am a confident advocate and do often appear at court to represent clients before Magistrates, District Judges and Circuit Judges.
I have strong negotiation skills and am able to bring many of my cases to an agreed settlement which is often challenging but very rewarding. I approach my cases in an extremely client-focussed manner and tailor my approach in each case to the individual client’s needs. Although lots of my clients have similar worries and problems, every individual deals with these things in different ways and with different requirements and priorities. It is an important part of my job to build a trusting and professional relationship with my clients in order to achieve the best outcome for them and their children following some difficult circumstances.
I am a member of Resolution and believe wholeheartedly in promoting an approach to my cases which is sensitive, constructive and cost-effective. I am a trained collaborative lawyer, meaning that I can offer an out-of-court option to deal with disputes around divorce and separation.
Experience
I have many years of experience in the area of family law having previously worked in a large, regional practice for 4 years and a High Street practice for 8 years before that. I trained and worked in Durham for 10 years before moving to the Darlington branch of my last firm where I spent two years developing their family client base before moving to EMG and back into the Durham region.
I have an excellent academic record achieving first-class honours in Law (Sheffield Hallam University) in 2006 and passing the LPC with Distinction (Northumbria University) in 2007.
I worked as a Solicitor Tutor at Teesside University’s Law Clinic. I supervised students working on real cases and use my skills and experience to teach them how to conduct cases of their own and how to assist clients.
I was also the Senior Vice President of the Tees Valley Law Society and am currently a Tees Valley Resolution Committee member.
What do you like about working at EMG?
There is a constant buzz in the office as it is bursting at the seams with enthusiastic, creative and hard-working people at every level. I also love that our staff Christmas party is organised at least 6 months in advance!
Outside of EMG?
I will mostly be found chasing my two young children, camping in Europe or immersed in village life. I will rarely be found doing anything productive in the kitchen!
News & Articles posted by Gemma Holmes
Getting a Divorce When Someone Lacks Capacity Posted:
30th September 2024Blog
How can I deal with a divorce or dissolution when I, my spouse or civil partner…
Who Has More Parental Rights – Mother or Father? Posted:
30th August 2024Blog
In family law, we don’t really talk about who has “more parental rights” because…