Mike Stoney is appointed Director of James Legal 

Experienced solicitor Mike Stoney has been appointed a director of East Yorkshire’s James Legal. 

Having excelled as a senior solicitor for the Hull and Beverley-based firm, Mike is excited by his new role, which follows some outstanding successes, including his contribution to major projects like the sale of the iconic Anchor House development, on Anlaby Road in Hull city centre, earlier this year. 

Mike was part of the James Legal team that handled the sale of Anchor House to a Chinese investor, on behalf of property investor Mike Clayton of Westfield Homebuyers. Mike purchased the site from a housing association five years ago and transformed it into a high-quality rental complex for professionals working in the region.  

Mike Stoney has also impressed the James Legal leadership team by successfully managing projects like IT developments alongside Managing Director Simon Young, who described him as ‘the epitome of a team player who provides exceptional service to our clients’, both examples of the firm’s unique ethos. 
 
He has worked in commercial property roles across the Yorkshire & the Humber region since completing his legal training with another Hull firm in 2011. As a result, he knows the area’s commercial property scene like the back of his hand, and has experience in dealing with all manner of transactions, from small-scale high street sales and leases of shops and offices, to those involving large units on industrial parks and shopping centres. He has also worked in residential development, acting for house builders on newbuild developments of freehold or leasehold dwellings.  

Mike explained why he’s delighted about the promotion: “There are a number of things that attracted me to James Legal, and these are the reasons I’m so excited about my directorship.  

“I really relish the opportunities that come with working for a growing firm that has so much more potential yet to explore. Being able to contribute to that journey is a real privilege,” he said. 

“It’s a really exciting law practice to be part of,” continued Mike, because it’s very modern-thinking and doesn’t conform to the age-old stereotypes relating to the legal industry, which really have no bearing on the way things work anymore.” 

And he is looking forward to helping to perpetuate the special ethos of the firm, as he takes on more leadership responsibility. 

“Of course, we have the qualifications, experience and professionalism clients expect, that goes without saying, but we’re also not a stuffy, old-fashioned firm that is still doing things the same way they were done 30 years ago. We’re very approachable. 

“Each and every individual client means a great deal to us and we’ll always go out of our way to achieve the very best outcome we can for them. 

“We’re also happy to work in more modern ways, via phone, email, WhatsApp and video conference – recognising that most of our clients are very busy and don’t have any time to waste, needing to get the job done in the most efficient and commercially-viable way.  

“It’s all about flexibility, and dealing with clients on their terms, not ours. Nobody is just a number.” 

And Mike is looking forward to continuing to do his ‘day job’, in addition to his new responsibilities as a director.  

“I really enjoy working with business people and getting to understand their companies and what they do, and I hope that passion comes across,” he added. 

Here’s what Simon had to say about Mike’s promotion: 

“Mike is a great example of James Legal's fresh-thinking, ‘human’ approach. Like everyone else on the James Legal team, he leads with his personality, which is very different to some law offices whose lawyers are perceived as somewhat unapproachable’. He is first and foremost Mike, who happens to be a solicitor, rather than someone whose true personality is hidden behind a work title. 

“He is also extremely hardworking and committed, and exceptional at what he does, and we are very fortunate to have him. Mike is already strengthening the management team with his input and we’re all excited to see what he and the rest of our team can accomplish together,now that he’s taking on this additional level of responsibility.” 

Notes for editors

For more information, please contact Tracy Fletcher at By Tracy Fletcher Limited via 07983 633385 or tracy@bytracyfletcher.com