Susannah Emson (formerly Bower)

Email:

susannah.emson@porterdodson.co.uk

Phone:

01392 343457

Location:

Exeter

Position:

Partner

Team:

Private Client, Rural Business , Land and Agriculture

Specialism:

Estate planning, Rural business, land and agriculture, Succession planning, Wills and probate, Inheritance Tax, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Tax planning, Trusts

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Bio

I qualified as a solicitor in 2007 at a national firm and have subsequently spent my career in the Southwest specialising in inheritance tax planning and trusts. I joined Porter Dodson as a partner in 2024 and took on the role of Training Principle in 2026.

I am a full member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP) and have 15 years of experience in advising high net worth individuals, farming and business clients with their estate and succession planning. I am also able to assist clients in creating vulnerable beneficiary trusts where appropriate and personal injury trusts for those who have recently received a compensation award.

I like to offer a flexible approach to tax planning, with the understanding that circumstances and priorities change over time. By building relationships with my clients, I aim to provide practical advice and solutions that will stand the test of time.

Outside of work I can be found dragging my whippet and italian greyhound around the local countryside in the rain, playing the piano, cooking and travelling the world when I am able.

Testimonials

Susannah was excellent. Understood what we were looking for and provided a solution, explaining the detail in language a lay person could understand.

James

Susannah Emson is a standout practitioner, her approachable manner coupled with her ability to convey well thought through, technical advice in a practical, understandable way sets her apart.

Legal 500 2026

Myself and my family have had help from Susannah several times and have always found her to be easy to deal with and extremely efficient.

J Leitch

We have both greatly appreciated your very kind, patient and skilled guidance through the minefield of the 'what happens next'.

Private Client

I was very impressed how you captured and bounded my estate issues and considerations so well after just one attendance meeting and how we turned that into a final Will and Letter of Wishes both of which I now actually understand. You turned the complex into something comprehensible. Porter Dodson should be the first port of call for locals with somewhat out of the ordinary legal affairs to be addressed. Thank you.

Private Client