Emma Burrows


Emma is a partner and head of the Trowers & Hamlins' Employment department which she founded. Emma has specialised in employment law for over 30 years.

She is known for her practical approach and finding solutions. Emma advises mainly on sensitive issues, managing senior staff exits, board disputes, employment structures and governance issues. At any one time, she manages a few complicated employment tribunal claims, working with other members of the team.

She loves employment law and is an active member of the Employment Lawyers Association Legislative and Policy committee.

She contributes to leadership development in the affordable housing, charities and health and social care sectors, and has written and contributed to guidance over the years. She co-wrote "Board member pay- what housing associations need to know", and is currently involved in speaking and contributing to Leadership 2025, the leadership development programme available exclusively to senior leaders from BME backgrounds working in the housing sector. During her career she's spoken regularly for the NHF, CIOH and at other sector events. 

She works closely with Charities, and edits and contributes to Jordan's 'Employment Law for Charities – A Practice Guide to Employment Law and contributes the employment law section to ICSA's Charities Guide.

Emma works closely with care providers and has worked closely with organisations providing social care in the last two years on sleep-ins, providing some advice to the No 10 Policy Unit as part of the discussion. She's been a member of the care team at Trowers since it started, about 25 years ago and works closely with VODG and its members.

Emma has been ranked in Band 1 as one of two leading individuals for employment advice to not for profit organisations in the last four editions of Chambers UK.  

"Emma has been a wise ally who has supported us through some very tricky situations. Her breadth of knowledge, her expertise and her ability to cut to the chase is invaluable."

Chambers 2023

"I consider her to be the best employment lawyer in the sector - her strengths are that she operates commercially and pragmatically and gives sound advice".

Chambers 2022

"She's absolutely brilliant - very helpful, a brilliant sounding board and very able. She's commercial in terms of her outlook and pragmatic." "She has a good eye for detail and cuts to the chase; she's very good." "She always looks to find a practical solution."

Chambers UK 2021

"The lawyers are at the top of their game. They understand the client and its requirements, they are always there when you need them and they deliver results every single time. You want Emma Burrows on your side"

The Legal 500 UK 2020
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