Emily MacNiven joined the firm originally as a departmental assistant in the corporate/commercial department.
She then undertook the LPC part time and obtained a training contract with the firm. She qualified in the corporate/commercial department in October 2021 and was promoted to an Associate in April 2024. In April 2025, she was promoted to Senior Associate.
She specialises in the buying and selling of businesses (assets and share transactions) as well as dealing and advising on other corporate and commercial matters such as share re-organisations and other commercial agreements.
Emily acts for businesses of all sizes from start-ups to large multinational organisations from a wide range of different industry sectors and has gained considerable experience in acting for sellers within the fire and security industry. Emily often acts for clients in the SME sector and for family owned businesses too, especially with the sale of their companies.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys playing golf.
Emily MacNiven
Senior Associate
Based in:
Dorking,
Godalming
Tel: +44 (0) 1306 502208
Email: Emily MacNiven
What our clients say about Emily
'Emily MacNiven has been absolutely wonderful. Could not have asked for better service. Everyone I have spoken to at the company has been very helpful.' - Client
'It was an absolute pleasure working with Emily MacNiven as the lead solicitor for the sale of our business and more generally with Downs as a firm. She was exceptionally efficient, very personable and clearly skilful at her job. She acted very professionally at all times and did a great job at protecting our interests and advising us where necessary while keeping things on track. We always felt reassured that she had everything under control, allowing us to continue to focus on running our business while the sale process was going on. Thank you.' - Client
'It was an absolute pleasure working with Emily MacNiven as the lead solicitor for the sale of our business and more generally with Downs as a firm. She was exceptionally efficient, very personable and clearly skilful at her job. She acted very professionally at all times and did a great job at protecting our interests and advising us where necessary while keeping things on track. We always felt reassured that she had everything under control, allowing us to continue to focus on running our business while the sale process was going on. Thank you.' - Client
Emily MacNiven has been absolutely wonderful. Could not have asked for better service. Everyone I have spoken to at the company has been very helpful. - Client
It was an absolute pleasure working with Emily MacNiven as the lead solicitor for the sale of our business and more generally with Downs as a firm. She was exceptionally efficient, very personable and clearly skilful at her job. She acted very professionally at all times and did a great job at protecting our interests and advising us where necessary while keeping things on track. We always felt reassured that she had everything under control, allowing us to continue to focus on running our business while the sale process was going on. Thank you. - Client
In 2023, Julian Havey, Emily MacNiven and the team at Downs Law were recommended to us, to execute on an acquisition of our company by a large multinational corporation, considered the global leader in our industry. Whilst we had agreed basic terms in an LOI, we had zero experience in such matters and needed to put our faith in a trustworthy and diligent law firm. This was especially the case, as two of our shareholders were foreign nationals, and our company effectively had two entities in separate countries. The acquiring company appointed large London legal firms including Baker McKenzie, Deloitte, and E&Y. The ‘extreme’ due diligence, legal wranglings, negotiations and pure pace of the acquisition process would have challenged the best in the city, or any city come to that. However, the entire team at Downs Law were up for the challenge and more that a match for London’s finest. They worked tirelessly, all hours and never left a scrap on the table in any aspect of the process.x
The whole process was completed expediently, diligently, professionally and in a friendly manner that led to us becoming respected friends on both sides. We would have absolutely no hesitation to highly recommend Downs Law to anyone lucky enough to work with them. - Client
Julian Harvey and Emily MacNiven provided outstanding service and expertise during my acquisition of Sandown Sports Club. Their attention to detail, personalized service, and negotiation skills made the complex legal process smooth and straightforward. I would recommend their legal services to anyone looking for dedicated and professional legal support. - Client



