Established in 2013, Stokes Lawyers offers the services of experienced and accredited lawyers specialising in commercial and business law including: Taxation, business startup and restructuring, employment, wills and estate planning, conveyancing and planning and environment.
The commercial and business team ethos is to work to the highest standards of professionalism while understanding clients’ requirements on a personal level.
Appointments for initial consultations can be made at stokeslawyers.com.au, by calling (07) 3439 8880 or emailing info@stokeslawyers.com.au
“With a more personal and unique approach, we ensure that we meet every client’s particular aims,” says managing director of Stokes Lawyers, James Stokes.
“We won’t ask, ‘how would lawyers do this’ but, instead, ‘how would our clients want this done?’
“This type of relationship leads us to take different, more productive and ultimately more satisfying routes to the outcome.”
There are a number of reasons business – particularly small business – might want a lawyer.
Family Business
In the entrepreneurial world, family business includes micro-business, smaller domestic companies, international businesses and even startups across a variety of industry sectors.
While it may seem an excellent advantage to run your business with family as partners, you still need to consider that things won’t always go as planned. Sometimes the more you splurge into the family business, the more it feels like it’s going to fail, and when conflict and problems arise.
That’s when the lawyers are going to help.
Estate Planning, Administration and Disputes
It’s important to be ahead of the game, so lawyers are there to help with planning, particularly when it comes to managing money and estates.
If there’s a dispute, good lawyers will clear the path for a healthy resolution.
Tax and Structuring
Don’t leave it all to the accountants. The law can be a complicated beast, and a knowledgeable lawyer will help ensure that the structure of your business is done in a way it will help you in the long term.
Not for Profit and Social Enterprise
Not-for-profit (NFP) organisations do not earn profits for its owners. All of the money earned by or donated to a not-for-profit is used in pursuing the organisation’s objectives.
A social enterprise is an organisation that applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in financial, social and environmental well-being—this may include maximising social impact alongside profits for external shareholders.
These organisations also need help with their structure, taxation and commercial activities. They too need to reduce risk and need specialist lawyers to fill that need.
Mr Stokes says Stokes Lawyers’ differing approach to client relation has helped them become a leading firm of commercial lawyers in the City of Logan.
James’s grandfather Warren Stokes and his three sons became integral members of the professional services community in accounting and financial planning, ultimately opening and running more than 40 offices.
Among his many innovations, Warren is regarded as the architect for the seasonal ‘shopping centre tax booth’ model and many other methods and devices utilised by accounting and professional services today. A founding and contributing member of his Rotary Club and church, Warren was an early adopter of the principles of philanthropy in business and social enterprise.
Members of the family founded WillPoint, Australia’s largest and longest-running will registry and notification service and others worked internationally in the world’s largest banks and professional services firms.
James is the family’s first lawyer, and founded Stokes Lawyers (then esource legal) in Logan City in 2013 with Garry Stokes as a critical mentor and director of the firm.
With qualifications in tax and commercial law, James has established himself as a leading advisor to family businesses in succession, structuring and other life-cycle events and Stokes Lawyers has grown to be the largest commercial law firm in Logan City.
James Warren Stokes and the team at Stokes Lawyers continue to assist family businesses and private clients realise opportunity in a modern and changing world.