Nick Emmerson becomes president of Law Society

Nick Emmerson this month became the 179th president of the Law Society of England and Wales.

Richard Atkinson took office as vice president and Mark Evans became deputy vice president.

Emmerson said: “I am honoured to serve as Law Society president. It is critical that we continue to focus on improving the justice system, upholding the rule of law and supporting members.

“I am eager to lead a profession that is both outward-facing and internationally minded. In an increasingly interconnected world, I have adopted a global approach to my work. I have coupled this approach with both regional experience and time in the City.

"This triangle of experience will allow me to bring a fresh perspective to the Law Society and strengthen the future of the profession.”

He added: “Solicitors play an essential role in our economy and society. During my presidency I look forward to promoting the legal services sector as an economic powerhouse and the profession benefiting local communities and wider society as well.”

Emmerson is a partner at Lewis Mathys Emmerson LLP and a specialist in international capital markets transactions and cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

He is fluent in Japanese, having spent time working in Tokyo, as well as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Leeds and London.

Emmerson has also been admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and the Republic of Ireland, and as an attorney at law in the State of California.

“His international expertise underpins his desire to champion English and Welsh solicitors on the world stage,” the Law Society said.

Yorkshire born and bred, Emmerson has represented Leeds on the Law Society Council since 2015. He served as president of Leeds Law Society during its 150th anniversary and the bulk of the pandemic.