Bath-headquartered law firm Stone King has opened an office in Leeds as it seeks to strengthen its position as a national leader in the education sector.
The office will significantly develop the firm’s presence in the North of England as the legal adviser of choice for schools across the country.
Stone King, which also has offices in London and Cambridge, is independently rated in the top rank of education law firms nationally, having supported more than 700 schools that have converted to academy status.
Its academy clients range from large chains to small, individual schools. It has also advised nearly 50 Free Schools since the policy was introduced, including the first which opened in September 2011.
The Leeds office will initially accommodate a team of five fee earners and support staff with additional space for further expansion. The firm has launched a recruitment drive to find further talented solicitors to join its education team in the office.
Leeds-based education lawyer Graham Shaw has joined as a partner from Ward Hadaway in the city and will lead the team. He has a wealth of experience in the education sector, having advised many of the leading academy trusts in the North. Two members of Mr Shaw’s team at Ward Hadaway have also moved to Stone King.
Stone King managing partner Steven Greenwood said: “The decision to establish a greater presence in northern England completes our national network of coverage for schools and builds upon our strategic plans for further substantial development of our services within the education, charity and social enterprise sectors.”
Head of the firm’s education group, Roger Inman, added: “Graham is a leading light in legal advice for schools and we are confident that the combination of his experience, with the way we provide services for schools, will make a powerful offer to schools and trusts across the North and beyond.”
Pictured: Roger Inman welcomes Graham Shaw to Stone King
