Thomas Emmett is a Partner and Head of Schools, Colleges and Universities in the Education Team in the London office. He is a “Next Generation Partner” (Legal 500 2025) who specialises in advising the education sector on education law (including SEND law), corporate and commercial law, employment law, equality law and regulatory law.
Thomas acts for educational institutions including maintained schools, single academy trusts, multi-academy trusts, independent schools, further education and higher education institutions from across the country. His education sector clients have described him as a “trusted advisor” (Legal 500 2025) who is “extremely knowledgeable” (Legal 500 2023). He has a “…thorough knowledge of how schools operate and the unique requirements within the sector” (Legal 500 2025).His expertise in advising educational institutions has been recognised by the EducationInvestor Awards 2025, where he was a finalist in the Legal Advisor of the Year to Educational Institutions category.
Thomas also acts for parents, carers and young people and has acted on complex education law matters, particularly in the area of SEND law. He has been successful in securing “waking day curriculums” delivered at independent residential placements such as The Mount Camphill Community and Beaumont College. He has also secured the naming of highly specialist independent, ordinary independent and mainstream schools in EHCPs.
Prior to specialising in assisting stakeholders in the education sector, Thomas advised the private sector in commercial, corporate, banking and regulatory matters. He has advised on multi million-pound banking facilities acting for both borrowers and lenders, and on high value company acquisitions and disposals. He was described in the Legal 500 2022 as “excellent in providing professional services in the corporate field”.
