Stephen is a barrister in practice at 11 Kings Bench Walk. He was a solicitor for many years, specialising in public law at DAC Beachcroft LLP, where he was the head of the public law practice. His practice has included work in the higher education sector. He acted for HEFCE between 1995 and its abolition in 2018, as well as acting for OfS, various other sector bodies and HEIs, and bodies in the FE and schools sectors