Liverpool law firm Weightmans elects new senior partner following the retirement of David Lewis after six years in the role. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool law firm Weightmans has elected Peter Wake as its new senior partner, replacing David Lewis who is retiring after six years in the role.

Peter joined the Old Hall Street-based firm in 2001 as a trainee solicitor. Based in the Liverpool office, he became a partner in 2011, an equity partner in 2016, and was head of local government litigation for a number of years.

After being elected by equity partners to the senior position, Peter began a three-year term from April 1.

David Lewis retires from the equity partnership after almost 40 years at Weightmans, although he will remain with the firm as a consultant.

Managing partner John Schorah said: “David’s contribution to Weightmans over the last 40 years has been immeasurable – and his professionalism and dedication to the firm’s continued success is an example to us all.

“I want to thank him personally for what has been an outstanding tenure here at Weightmans, and I am delighted that he will continue as a consultant for the firm.

“Like David, Peter is also Weightmans through-and-through, and I know he will work hard to implement the firm’s culture and values as we continue our aim to be a Top 30 law firm.”

David became the firm’s national senior partner in May 2018, having previously been head of the firm’s national regulatory department (2004-2018) and a regional office head, first in Liverpool and later in Leeds (2007-2018).

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He had been the firm’s national deputy managing partner (2000-2003) and its regional office managing partner in Liverpool (2003-2007).

After joining Weightmans as an articled clerk in 1985, David qualified in 1987 and was made a partner in 1992.

After qualification, he spent a number of years handling both civil and criminal litigation for insurers and their policyholders, before becoming a founder member of the firm’s dedicated regulatory services unit in 2004.

In January, Weightmans, which has offices across the UK, filed its financial accounts for the 12 months to April 30, 2023 on Companies House. They show revenues up just over 20% to £123.5m.

Pre-tax profits for the year also rose to £36.7m from £30.7m in the previous year. This means 221 partners at the firm shared a pot totalling just over £36m. The highest paid partner received £365,000.