Emma Brunning

I am the Senior Family Lawyer in Birkett Long’s Chelmsford office, having joined Birkett Long in June 2006. I qualified as a solicitor in 1997. I was previously a partner at Leonard Gray, Chelmsford and trained at Kenneth Elliott and Rowe in Romford. I am a Member of Resolution (an organisation committed to resolving family law difficulties in a non-confrontational way wherever possible). I am accredited by Resolution as a specialist family lawyer.

I advise clients on a full range of issues involving family law, including:
• Cohabitation agreements
• Pre-Marital agreements
• Divorce law and financial issues arising from divorce.
• Disputes involving Children
• Cohabitation disputes – unmarried couples facing separation
• Issues surrounding same-sex partnerships
• Legal separation agreements
• Child maintenance and spousal maintenance
• Domestic violence and injunctions

I have a particular interest in financial issues surrounding relationships and disputes between parents about their children. Many of my clients have complex financial arrangements or face extremely difficult decisions surrounding the ongoing arrangements for their children. Having assisted clients with family law problems for many years, I believe relationship breakdown is one of the most difficult experiences we can face. We are expected to deal with important decisions regarding our family’s future at a time when we are facing emotional turmoil. I believe that each situation is unique and should be treated as such. I tailor my advice to suit your particular circumstances; it is important to listen to your concerns and wishes for your family.

It is also important to consider whether issues can be resolved as quickly as possible with minimum conflict and, of course, expense to enable you to move forward. I believe it is important to negotiate a settlement with minimum court involvement, wherever possible. Some situations do need a judge to assist with negotiations or to make the final decision. Where this is the case, I am experienced in working within the court process to achieve my client’s final objectives wherever possible.

I have lived in Essex for most of my life; I was born in Maldon, grew up in Billericay and now live in the Chelmsford area with my husband. I have strong links with the local community. As a founder member of the Chelmsford Rivermead Rotary club, I enjoy the friendship and charity work associated with Rotary.