Spotlight on Michael Stokes

This month we shine a spotlight on Michael Stokes, Head of Employment and Immigration.

1. What type of legal advice do you provide?

I’ve been an employment lawyer since 1993, initially for trade unions and their members, but now much more commonly for employers. The clients I work for vary from local authorities to large employers in the private sector. I also help growing businesses and charities, as well as individual claimants looking for fair treatment for their employers.

2. Why did you choose your specialism?

I was a general lawyer when I started but that was, too often, absolutely terrifying and I knew that I needed to find something to focus on. I had liked the employment work that I’d done, so went to a union firm and had a fantastic education from some great lawyers.

3. What type of work does your team do that is relevant to Homes England? Or have you been involved in any Homes England projects?

I have helped Homes England with some complex TUPE issues myself, but wherever there are employers and employees, there is plenty of employment law.

4. What was your most memorable outcome for a client? And why?

I have had two cases go to the old House of Lords, one of which my client won.. The win ended up on the front page of The Times. The whole process of pursuing a legal argument, worth millions of pounds, all the way to the most senior judges in the country was exciting (and nerve-wracking).

5. How have you supported your local community?

I’m a big advocate of using independent businesses wherever I can, so that the place where I live retains its identity and its reason for being there. I also support local businesses where I can by offering valuable advice to overcome any employment challenges they might face in their journey.

6. Why do you think a commitment to helping the planet is important? And can you give any examples where you have made a change to help the planet?

We only have the one planet to work with, so we had better look after it. I will credit my wife with everything we do to eat organic food, wherever possible, and for our not-always-successful efforts to “grow our own”. We recycle and re-use and we are no strangers to the local charity shops.