National law firm, Weightmans, has elected a new senior partner, Peter Wake, after David Lewis retires following six years in the position.
Peter joined the firm in 2001 as a trainee solicitor and has been here ever since. Based in the Liverpool office, he became a partner in 2011, an equity partner in 2016, and was head of local government litigation for many years. After being elected by equity partners, Peter began a three-year term from April 1.
The news comes as David retires from the equity partnership after almost 40 years at Weightmans, although he will remain with the firm as a consultant, to service long-standing clients and to continue to contribute to the ongoing success of the regulatory department, which was his vision some 20 years ago.
John Schorah, managing partner at Weightmans, 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). 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 many 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.