Former Kansas City mayor launches consulting firm

Former Kansas City Mayor Sly James and his longtime chief of staff, Joni Wickham, have started a consulting firm.

In an interview, the duo said Wickham James Strategies & Solutions will work on political strategy, strategic communications, governmental relations, public policy and mediation. In particular, they will focus on topics such as education, women’s leadership and good governance.

Prior to his election as mayor in 2011, James ran The Sly James Firm, a personal-injury firm in Kansas City. He served as president of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association in 2003.

But James said that counting the time he began running for office, he’s been away from the day-to-day practice of law for nearly 10 years, particularly the business side. He also said he wanted to continue to work on the broad array of issues he had faced as mayor.

“It would be kind of like taking a ride on a rocket and then coming back and getting a scooter to get around,” he said. “I need to keep the pace going.”

Wickham, who has served in a number of governmental positions, including for former Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, agreed.

“After eight years in the mayor’s office, neither one of us could contemplate an existence where we only went to work in one place and worked on one issue,” she said. “We’re used to juggling about 15 hot potatoes before noon.”

James said he does plan to continue conducting mediations.

“It keeps me in contact with lawyers and keeps me on top of some of the issues,” he said. “Also, the skill sets that are developed through mediation come in handy when you’re doing other forms of negotiation.”

James served eight years as Kansas City’s mayor before leaving office Aug. 1 due to term limits. He was succeeded by Quinton Lucas, a former city councilmember and fellow attorney.