Mike Leeman

Specialist Criminal Defence Solicitor

Mike is a specialist criminal defence solicitor with over 25 years experience in this field.  Mike attended Calday Grange Grammar school on the Wirral and then studied at Sheffield Hallam University followed by the University of Sheffield.

Whilst studying for his law degree Mike started working in the criminal department at Bell Lamb & Joynson in the summer of 1994 under the tutelage of George Sale one of the areas most prominent and respected criminal defence solicitors.  Mike started a training contract with the firm in 1996 qualifying as a solicitor in 1998.  In 2001 Mike became a partner in the firm and  subsequently the head of the criminal department.  Mike is now the firms managing partner and the firms COLP.

BLJ has one of the longest established criminal  law departments in the area and are incredibly well respected in this field and are in the top 20% of providers by volume of Legal Aid cases in England and Wales. As head of the department, Mike runs a team of exceptionally talented and dedicated criminal defence solicitors, with over 200 years post qualification experience between them who can provide representation whatever the allegation across our office network in Merseyside and North Cheshire, and regularly on a national basis, 24 hours a day 365 days of the year.

Mike specialises in Criminal and Motoring Law and has vast experience in this field having started advising suspects in police stations from 1993 whilst studying at University.  Mike is a  higher court advocate with over 2o years experience of representing clients from straightforward simple matters to the more serious offences in the criminal calendar.  Mike is known for his straight talking and common sense approach building longstanding relationships with clients many of whom repeatedly turn to him in their hour of need.  Mike has dealt with many high profile cases over the years including matters featuring on BBC’s crime watch, such as representing Kevin Morrison in the infamous murder of Alice Rye the 74 year old pensioner from the Wirral and has real expertise in defending drug conspiracy allegations. Within the last 2 years he has defended clients in such conspiracies the length and breadth of the country including Newcastle, Liverpool, London and Southampton.  Mike represented one of the main defendants in the largest land seizure of cocaine in the United  Kingdom in operation Dreadnought.   In addition, with an exceptional understanding of IT, he brings these skills to bare in the digital age of criminal law.

Mike is also on the committee of the Criminal Law Solicitors Association (CLSA) the only organisation entirely committed to professionals working in the field of criminal law in England and Wales

Away from the office Mike lives in Lydiate with his partner and has 2 children. A sports fanatic having played football and rugby (and more recently golf)  but with a real passion for Tennis, which he still plays and competes on a regular basis. Mike is actively involved as a volunteer within the sport and is a qualified Tennis referee.  Mike is also passionate about Liverpool Football Club were he is a season ticket holder.