Industry profile of the month: Emma Tattersdill

By Vanessa Jones August 09, 2024 5 min read

Emma Tattersdill, a renowned Environmental Partner at Bexley Beaumont Limited, has dedicated her career to environmental law and litigation, making her a leading expert in the field. Her journey highlights a commitment to helping clients successfully navigate the complexities of environmental regulation and to a career in which she can make a tangible impact.

Early Background and Legal Beginnings

Emma qualified as a solicitor in September 1998, starting her career in commercial litigation. At that time, environmental law was not a widely recognised discipline and few law firms had specialists in this area. However, Emma’s practice took a pivotal turn as she encountered an increasing number of claims based on environmental hazards, deeply instilling a sense of responsibility towards environmental protection.

These complex cases, many of which involved pollution from historic activities ranging from military bases to domestic refuse tips, required her to quickly develop a detailed understanding of soil and water contamination and the legal frameworks surrounding these issues. As Emma rapidly honed her expertise in environmental litigation, her specialisation expanded to include a broad range of environmental legal issues, such as dealing with contaminated land, environmental permitting requirements, waste management regulation, water resources and nuisance claims based on noise, odour, smoke and similar complaints.

As Emma’s practice developed, she pursued a postgraduate diploma in Practical Ecology and Wildlife Conservation at the University of Leicester, extending her expertise into nature conservation and the legal regimes for the protection of wildlife, endangered species and habitats.

While environmental law is now recognised as a vitally important area of expertise, Emma remains one of a relatively small number of lawyers whose practice is 100% dedicated to environmental law.

Career and Industry Developments

From the early days of her career to her current role at Bexley Beaumont Ltd, Emma has consistently pushed for corporate and individual responsibility backed with sustainable environmental regulation. Over the years, Emma has witnessed significant and wide-ranging developments in environmental law, including the introduction of new legislation and powers for regulators and shifting attitudes toward environmental compliance within businesses, the courts, and among employees, consumers, and investors. Emma has also observed challenges in enforcement due to under-resourced authorities, while the UK's exit from the EU and the growing focus on climate change and net zero transitions have presented both challenges and opportunities in shaping environmental regulation.

Achievements and Impact

As an Environmental Partner at Bexley Beaumont Ltd, Emma draws on her extensive experience to guide clients through the intricacies of environmental regulation and practical compliance approaches, and to promote their environmental credentials lawfully, leading innovative legal strategies.

Her leadership in environmental law is recognised by prestigious legal directories such as Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners and has led to a number of appointments, including to the Professional and Technical Panel of SiLC (Specialists in Land Condition) and as a trustee of CL:AIRE, a not-for-profit organisation focussed on the regeneration and sustainable re-use of land in the UK. Emma regularly provides bespoke training for lawyers and clients, sharing her extensive knowledge and practical insights.

With Bexley Beaumont Limited earning accolades such as Law Firm of the Year at the Modern Law Awards 2024 and Boutique Law Firm of the Year at The Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards 2023, Emma’s knowledge and expertise is rooted in award-winning legal excellence.

Client Testimonials

Clients consistently praise Emma for her strategic and pragmatic approach, and understanding of the commercial realities across the environmental sector. One client noted: "Emma Tattersdill has provided an excellent level of service to our company. She’s extremely approachable, highly knowledgeable and efficient in her work. She always provides us with very clear, detailed and pragmatic legal advice. She’s a clear expert in her field and I would go to no other lawyer for advice on environmental permitting or waste regulations."

Another client shared: "Emma is always highly professional, and understands the commercial aspects across the environmental and waste sector. She always gives very clear advice."

Personal Interests and Hobbies

Outside of her professional commitments, Emma likes to get into the open air as much as she can. Her love for the outdoors is reflected in her personal life. She recently, for instance, completed a winter ascent of Mount Olympus in Greece to raise awareness of and funds for a local charity providing services and support for those who are homeless or face the risk of homelessness, reinforcing her commitment to the environment in both her professional and personal spheres.

Professional Philosophy

Emma's professional beliefs are encapsulated in her own words: "On the one hand, I believe passionately that we must all take responsibility for our environmental impacts. On the other hand, I believe equally strongly in appropriate, proportionate regulation and the need for practical, sustainable approaches to compliance. The (many) responsible, reputable businesses out there doing their best to implement environmental regulations and associated guidance face real practical and financial challenges in doing so."

Join Emma at SG:certified’s Upcoming Strategic Environmental Compliance Webinar

Don't miss the opportunity to learn from Emma Tattersdill at SG:certified’s upcoming “ESG: Strategic Environmental Compliance for Gambling Companies'' on 19 September at 1-2pm. This event promises to provide invaluable insights into the importance of prioritising environmental compliance, and the latest trends and best practices in environmental law, equipping attendees with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of environmental legislation effectively and guidance towards sustainable success.