• Office
  • 8 Devonshire Square
  • London
  • EC2M 4YJ
  • Tel: 020 4586 1280

Thomas Emmett

Senior Associate, Head of Education

I take a pragmatic approach to assisting my clients with their interests at the forefront of my considerations.
I work from our Basildon, Chelmsford and London offices, and am available on 020 4586 1281. 

I specialise in the education sector and I am the head of Birkett Long’s education team. I act for parents, guardians, carers and young people in matters of SEND law and other areas of education law, including admissions and exclusions appeals.  I also offer advice to a range of educational institutions, including maintained schools, single academy trusts, multi-academy trusts, independent schools and further and higher education institutions. I do not act for local authorities.

Prior to becoming a solicitor, my interest in education began when I worked as a tutor at an Essex based community college. During that time I delivered the CILEX Level 2 Qualification, along with a variety of A Level qualifications.

I advise businesses on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and a wide range of commercial contracts. I have also assisted borrowers with secured and unsecured lending matters. My experience includes assisting SMEs, as well as national and international entities on a variety of commercial and corporate law matters. 

In my spare time I can be found on the golf course or on a badminton court.  I am an avid supporter of West Ham United Football Club.  I enjoy mainly rock and indie music, including AC/DC and the Arctic Monkeys.  

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS:

  • Qualified as a Solicitor in 2017

The Legal 500 – The Clients Guide to Law Firms The Legal 500 – The Clients Guide to Law Firms

Commercial and Corporate Finance Team

We add value through our expertise, which is applied in a commercial way to ensure our clients are fully appraised of the likely risks and obligations involved with the contractual, corporate and transactional work we carry out.

I can help you if you need to form a new limited company or you want to change the name of your limited company. I can also file your company’s annual confirmation statements with Companies House on your behalf and also provide you with a registered office service. As well as the aforementioned I can prepare the Statutory Registers that all limited companies are required to keep.

What our clients say

  • We use Birkett Long’s Legal and HR retainer services. The Education Team at Birkett Long have the experience and expertise in all the legal areas needed and when providing advice and assistance they always have the Trust’s reputation at the forefront. They are professional and effective and respond to a new query usually within a day if not on the day. If a request is for advice or assistance that falls outside of the retainer services, they are clear about the costs associated with the work and any quote is provided prior to work starting.
  • Birkett Long are an expedient professional firm of solicitors that are easy to deal with.
  • We initially contacted Birkett Long with an enquiry to represent us during the acquisition of our company, by a large multinational organisation. We eventually instructed Thomas Emmett to act on our behalf and agreed a 3 month lead time to completion. Two weeks in and our remit changed dramatically with rumours of tax changes in the upcoming budget. To our surprise and delight, Thomas agreed to roll up his sleeves and by working weekends and evenings we got the deal completed in just over a week. The buyer had instructed a well known London firm, and the acquisition was far from straight forward, however we were guided expertly through the entire process and completed on time, and on budget. We would not hesitate in recommending Birkett Long, and Thomas Emmett in particular to anyone going through a similar process.
  • The team is a pleasure to work with. They are responsive, competent, well-organised and deliver their services efficiently.Client testimonial from the Legal 500
  • Efficient, knowledgeable and approachable. Appreciated the thorough and complete advice. -Legal 500 2024
  • I would like to thank you for all your help with this [Education] matter. It is such a relief and pleasure to have received your support.
  • Tracey Dickens and her team are outstanding. They are knowledgeable, responsive and above all, pragmatic which is just what we need from our legal advisers.Client testimonial from the Legal 500
  • Both James and I are very happy with the service you have provided. We were particularly impressed by your responsiveness and how you addressed our specific needs with relevant advice from the start. We will be in touch if we need more assistance in the future.
  • We use Birkett Long’s Legal and HR retainer services. The Education Team at Birkett Long have the experience and expertise in all the legal areas needed and when providing advice and assistance they always have the Trust’s reputation at the forefront. They are professional and effective and respond to a new query usually within a day if not on the day. If a request is for advice or assistance that falls outside of the retainer services, they are clear about the costs associated with the work and any quote is provided prior to work starting. - Business Manager of a 5 school multi-academy trust
  • I have required the services of Birkett Long for contract oversight purposes and have been very pleased with the high quality levels of response on all occasions. I would highly recommend their services to colleagues and friends.
  • We have always felt Thomas had our best interests in mind in terms of the purchase of the business and of the impact of any additional costs to us. Thomas kept us informed every step of the way and we felt we could approach him at any time, thus making a difficult and stressful time for us much more bearable. Thomas was always available to help and advise us with even the smallest of problems we came across. We would not hesitate to recommend Thomas to any of our family and friends that should require the same service.
  • Please can we renew our Education Legal Retainer; it really gives me peace of mind and us all great confidence knowing that the BL team are there if we need them! - St Cedds School
  • Birkett Long represented us in the legal process of joining a multi academy trust. The Education Team were able to provide the appropriate service for all stages of the process. Input was timely, queries were given the appropriate attention and information was forthcoming to meet the schedule for the merger. The process was achieved in a timely fashion. - Headteacher of an academy school
  • Thank you for your assistance and expert advice regarding the contract for sale.
  • I have been incredibly impressed from the outset with the level of service provided by Birkett Long (Thomas Emmett). There was a discernible drive to seek to find out the real nature of the case and a palpable wish to do the best possible job. Communications were timely, respectful and relayed in a way that meant that the average 'man on the street' had every opportunity to understand the content! Thank you.
  • Many thanks for your advice on both the EHCPs, the reports are very helpful. It has highlighted that both children have many diagnoses not included in the EHCPs.
  • Very impressed with your speed of turnaround for this work which was greatly appreciated.
  • Birkett Long are outstanding. Kimberley guided us through a very stressful experience of appealing for a school place for our daughter . Her patience and diligence was exceptional and we cannot thank her enough for her professional and comporting approach. She was well prepared and her argument was first class. Thank you as well to Thomas Emmett. Birkett long, a winning team!
  • Each individual I have worked with communicates well and explains legal matters in a clear, comprehensive and understandable manner. In particular, they set out an estimate of costs at the very start of any instruction and rarely exceed that amount. I would give particular mention to Thomas Emmett and David Wisbey both of whom have been excellent in providing professional services in the corporate field
  • I required Birkett Long's services for a purchase of a Design & Print franchise, from the outset Thomas demonstrated huge professionalism and I found his advice invaluable. This was a huge move for me and Thomas made a very stressful sale process more bearable. I would certainly recommend Birkett Longs expertise to a friend in need.
  • Thank you so much for all your help with getting James the right placement. He is now halfway into the first term and doing really well. Just to let you know we had the SALT assessment for James last week. We now have his communication difficulties documented which without your help we wouldn't have had.
  • A really strong, very approachable and cohesive team of hardworking commercial solicitors, with good legal knowledge. Fully focused on the needs of the client, taking the time to look beyond the legal issues and considering what the practical implications are for our business. The team provides clear and specific communication and has an agile can-do outlook. Extremely impressed by their work and commitment. - Legal 500 2024
  • Please can we renew our Education Legal Retainer, it really gives me peace of mind and us all great confidence knowing that the BL team are there if we need them!