Interview with... Jonathan Jones, Managing Partner of Squire Sanders

Jonathan Jones, Managing Partner of Squire Sanders in Leeds, recently received the President's Award from the Law Society Awards which took place at the Queens Hotel in Leeds on 8th March.  This is the latest in a long line of accolades for the Corporate Strategy and Finance Partner.  He took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to give us an interview.

What does your Twitter profile say about you?

A Leeds based Managing Partner and Private Equity Lawyer at Squire Sanders who loves sport, cooking, Stoke City FC and spending time with my wife and 4 children.

Why law and why your particular area of expertise?

My Dad wanted to be a Lawyer (in the days when you had to pay to be an Articled Clerk!) but he had to get a 'proper job' in order to marry my mother! He always encouraged Law as an ambition of mine. I ended up as a Private Equity Lawyer because I had always enjoyed the business and economic side of Corporate Finance deals.

Describe your firm in three words.

Big, international and growing.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The people I work with, the thrill of getting a deal done and the sense of building a business.

In these tough economic times, what is the most challenging element of your job?

Getting work through the door!

In your view, what does the future hold for the legal profession; what will be the 'next big thing' in the legal industry?

The standardisation of certain legal processes through the use of technology and Paralegals.

Who's been the biggest single influence or inspiration in your career and why?

No single person. I learnt a lot from former bosses, Andrew Walker and Noel Hutton, about how to run teams, retain clients and maintain a sense of humour under pressure and corny as it is, my wife is a constant source of wisdom about what I do and how I do it.

What advice would you give to an ambitious Solicitor at the start of their career?

Read 'The End of Lawyers?' by Richard Susskind OBE and work out if it's still something you want to do!

What has been your greatest achievement so far in life?

I've thoroughly enjoyed being on the board of Squire Sanders. The merger and the opportunities available to us in a very fast paced global market have been fascinating.

Please tell us a little bit about you.

I grew up in Stoke on Trent and went on to study at the University of Sheffield where I achieved a 2:1 for my LLB. Following this I went on to York Law School and then trained at Simpson Curtis who are now part of Pinsents. I am married with four children and enjoy sport, cooking and driving my children around!

Many thanks for your time Jonathan and congratulations on your award!