Michael Orton-Jones is a solicitor a commissioner for oaths and a public notary.
Joined Shoosmiths solicitors in 1960 and retired as an equity partner and chairman of the board of management of the firm in 2000. He oversaw the firm expand from a staff of fewer than twenty to over twelve hundred with multiple offices.

Currently a member of the Council of the Law Society of England and Wales co-opted to represent financial services, chairman of the Financial Services and Investment Business Working Party and member of the Taxation Committee of the Society. A director of the Law Society Pension Scheme.

Chairman of ASIM (Association of Solicitors & Investment Managers), consultant to SIFA (Solicitors for Independent Financial Management) and also to iimia plc, an Aim listed independent financial services firm, giving strategic financial advice to companies and private individuals. Has the Financial Planning Certificate and Advanced Financial Planning credits awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Chairman of the Queens Institute Relief in Sickness Fund, and director of Homestart Northampton (a charity helping needy mothers with small children), a feoffee of St Giles Charity, joint secretary of Long Buckby Annual Tennis Tournament, secretary of the Aquitaine Society, chairman of the trustees of Northampton Central Conservative Association, trustee of St Crispin’s Hospital Social Club, Duston Conservative Club and the Northamptonshire Police Millennium Foundation. Governor of the University of Northampton.

Formerly an elected member of Northampton Borough Council representing Old Duston, chairman of Traffic and Car Parks, chairman of the Road Safety Committee, member of the Personnel Committee, and member of Northamptonshire County Council for Byfield and Silverstone areas, deputy chairman of Northamptonshire County Education Committee and chairman of various sub-committees, member of the County Planning and Transportation and Finance Committees, governor and manager of numerous primary, secondary and further educational establishments in the County including the Northampton College of Further Education and Nene College in its early days. Was chairman of a working party which produced a report on the future of secondary education in the County. Represented Northampton Chamber of Commerce on East Midlands Regional Assembly.

Interests. Sailing (RYA Yachtmaster), keeping fit, tennis, gardening, country pursuits, learning foreign languages, reading, fine arts and wine.

Languages. Reasonable French, German, Spanish and some Italian.