Weightmans appoints new Managing and Senior Partner

Top 50 law firm Weightmans has elected John Schorah as its new managing partner and Dan Cutts as its new senior partner.

John Schorah takes on the managing partner role from Patrick Gaul, who has led the firm since 2003. During that time, Weightmans has increased its fee income from £27.7 million to £77.1 million.

Dan Cutts takes up the senior partner mantle from Ian Evans, who has held the position since 2000. Both will begin their new roles on 1 May 2013.

As Director of Commercial Services, John Schorah joined Weightmans in 2003 and currently oversees delivery of the firm’s commercial strategy. He previously worked as the Head of Corporate at a regional law firm and in industry with a UK plc in a senior management role, eventually becoming Chief Executive.

Dan Cutts joined Weightmans in 1999. He has been a Board member at Weightmans since 2002 and Director of Insurance since 2007. As past President of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL) he has been actively involved in the recent Civil Justice Reforms.

Said Patrick Gaul, who will return to a fee earning role as a partner in the firm’s Professional Risk team:

“It has been a privilege to act as Weightmans’ managing partner over the last ten years. I would like to thank everyone at the firm for their support throughout - particularly Ian who I have greatly enjoyed working alongside.

“I would also like to wish John and Dan every success moving forward. They bring a breadth of experience and knowledge to their respective roles at what is a very exciting time for the firm.”

Ian Evans, who will be retiring from the firm when his term as senior partner completes, said:

“I am proud to have been at Weightmans for my whole career. I joined as an articled clerk in 1973 when the firm had no more than forty people and one office in Liverpool. Today, we are a major UK law firm with over 1000 people and offices throughout the country. It’s been a great adventure.”

Commenting on his appointment as managing partner, John Schorah said:

“On behalf of everyone at Weightmans, I would like to thank Patrick and Ian for their outstanding leadership of the firm. It is a huge honour to be appointed managing partner of this firm. Weightmans is now in an exceptionally strong position as one of the UK’s top 50 law firms.”

Added Dan Cutts:

“As senior partner, I am looking forward to working with John and all of the Weightmans team to help build and develop our business. We will work hard to be worthy successors to Patrick and Ian as we seek to strengthen Weightmans’ position as one of the UK’s leading national law firms.”