England - North West • Private client
Vardags
A firm that demonstrates a ‘mastery of facts’ in both high-value matrimonial finance and complex children welfare cases, Vardags is a strong choice for clients in the North West seeking family legal counsel. Featuring a wealth of in-house specialisms, including a property valuation, financial forensic, and criminal team, the group show established proficiency in pre- and post-nuptial agreements, Schedule 1 Children Act proceedings, and multi-layered financial remedy cases. Leading the practice and recently promoted Regional Managing Partner Emma Gill is an ’absolute star’, focusing on the firm’s most extensive high value divorce mandates which involve representing a diverse range of clients including sports and media personalities on matters concerning coercive behaviour, extensive property and business assets, and international components. Head of the children department Lucy Williams is an ‘outstanding family lawyer’, routinely leading financial matters with attached issues of domestic abuse and parental alienation, while Annemarie Bradley has a broad practice that includes ’highly complex and high net worth cases’, usually with technical cross-border components. ‘An experienced head on young shoulders’, Reece Johnson handles a significant volume of big-ticket mandates, with notable expertise directing asset tracing and analysing complicated corporate structures. Other key names include senior associate Nikki Hale ('a partner in the making, with intellect and skills beyond her experience'), senior associate Kate Kempster ('another star in the making'), and Gareth Curtis, who joined the practice in April 2023 from Stowe Family Law LLP.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Vardags' outstanding experience in the field of family law is reflected in its very sound grasp of the issues relating to my case. As an organisation, the firm is approachable and professional, projecting humanity and warmth. Its well-developed relationships with partners, including at the bar, sound tactical and strategic sense and balanced expectations have made me feel well-supported as a client and confident that my interests are heeded and acted upon.’
‘The Vardags team is dedicated and reflective, able to combine a friendly face with a good listening ear, mastery of facts and, where necessary, determination in pressing the client's case. There is a youthful energy in the team with which I have worked and a pleasing readiness to think laterally that never loses sight of the firm's collective experience and wisdom.'
‘Emma Gill is a "no nonsense" figurehead, with an exceptional reputation. I deal with her team on a day-to-day basis but get the sense Emma is orchestrating the strategy behind the scenes. I however wanted to highlight Reece Johnson as a particular stand-out in the Team. Reece is extremely knowledgeable, calm and very professional. Particularly his ability to focus on the strategy of the case and to disregard distraction.’
‘Emma Gill is an absolute star. She offers clear leadership to her team while developing close relationships with clients. She has sound judgment- striving to get the best results for her clients. Reece Johnson is very impressive and examines all details in a case.’
‘The team are close-knit and have a huge amount of experience. They collaborate and are not shy of taking soundings within the team so the client gets the benefit of a range of experience even if the solicitor with conduct of the case is relatively junior. The quality, quantity and breath of their work means they have excellent judgment about the strengths and weaknesses of their clients' cases and can advise accordingly.'
‘Lucy Williams is an outstanding family lawyer. She has got it all. It's not just that she is on top of the law and the facts of her clients' cases, she has something that no amount of training and hard work can buy: she has a natural acumen for the work. She is a brilliant tactician and a warm presence. I believe she will go very far. She certainly deserves to.
- 'Annemarie Bradley's vast experience in highly complex and high net worth cases means she remains unfazed at more challenging times, regardless of what is thrown at her. She thoroughly supports her clients throughout the process.'
- 'Reece Johnson is very much an experienced head on young shoulders. He has a fantastic manner with clients and is able to boil down any contentious or complicated issue, seemingly with ease. Reece is very conscientious and focused upon achieving the best overall outcome for his clients.’
Key clients
- HD in HD v WB [2023] EWFC 2. Final hearing November 2022 after 8-day trial in the High Court
Work highlights
- HD v WB [2023] EWFC 2: Instructed by the husband on a complex case concerning over £43 million in realisable assets, almost entirely in the wife’s name. The case is significant and particularly noteworthy as it develops the area of pre-nuptial agreements particular when such agreements will be binding.
Lawyers
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Emma Gill is a Senior Partner and Head of Vardags' Manchester office. She specialises in complex matrimonial finance cases, frequently dealing with issues arising from share valuations, option schemes, trusts, foreign properties and pension funds. Emma also acts in financial claims for unmarried partners and is experienced in children matters, often advising on child contact arrangements and relocation within the UK and overseas. Emma’s tough, pragmatic, but sensitive approach has earned her regular recommendations in legal directories since 2009. Legal 500 has previously described her as ‘tenacious in her dealings with tricky legal issues and helpfully no-nonsense in her approach’ and named Emma’s office ‘one to watch in Manchester’. Accustomed to high-profile cases, Emma’s clients include CEOs of multi-million pound companies, footballers and their spouses, entrepreneurs and business owners. Emma’s clients mainly hail from Northern cities and their environs, but she also has a healthy London practice.
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Emma Gill