Michael M Jones

Partner, Gunnercooke LLP

Biography

Michael studied medieval and modern history at Royal Holloway before pursuing a very successful career in law. A partner at Gunnercooke LLP, Michael is a pensions specialist with over 15 years expertise in advising companies and trustees on all legal aspects of employer sponsored pension schemes. Michael has particular market expertise in advising charities and not for profit entities and in public sector outsourcing. He has been an enthusiastic and regular supporter of Royal Holloway’s law events over a number of years. 

What did you enjoy most about your time at Royal Holloway? Any favourite memories of campus?  Apart from the beauty of the place and the friends, I most enjoyed the sheer freedom of university life.  From who you are to what you think is up for grabs.  Oh and I started in my first band there.  30 years’ later, still playing.

Where did you start your career? 

I started at Norton Rose on a two week para-legal contract that a friend told me about.  They kept me on and I was there 18 months. 

What attracted you to a careers in law?

 Injustice.  I hate it.  I blame my entire career on a girl who falsely accused me of pushing her into a bush when we were both 5 years old.  Afterwards Rumpole of the Bailey books played a part in seeing what “lawyers” did.  If you asked my mum, she would say that I have always liked an argument.  Suspect it is a combination of the three. 

If you could go back in time and give your undergraduate self, one piece of advice what would it be? 

If you want specific advice, it would be: If a really pretty girl asks you over for dinner for two at her place, she was probably interested in you.  That revelation only occurred to be 20 years too late.  If you want more general advice, get out of your bubble.  It is only by challenging your views, your fears and your prejudices that you grow-up.  So meet new people (they are your future investment capital). 

What advice would you give to someone thinking of a career in law and making applications for vacation schemes or training contracts? 

On application forms, there are only really two questions to answer, however the questions are worded.  They are: why us; and why you.  No-one cares that you headed the Law Society debating club.  What they do care about are the skills you developed in that role.  What did you lead, what did you build/grow, what marketing skills did you show, what networking successes did you have etc, what conflicts did you resolve?  Spend your time at University doing what you want, not what you think a CV needs.  However, in doing what you want, build the skills your CV needs. 

What do you feel are the key qualities someone needs, to work as a lawyer in your field? 

You have to see the big picture.  No client cares, ever, about what the law says.  What they care about is whether they can do what they want, and if the law impacts on that, what are the risks, and how can they be managed.   A good lawyer tries to understand what are the client’s goals, and why they are important.  It is only then that you can help them to find a solution that may be very different to what they thought their problem originally was.