Weightmans celebrates re-elections

After seven years as managing partner of Weightmans LLP, Patrick Gaul has been re-elected for the role, and Ian Evans celebrates his 10th year as Senior Partner.

At Weightmans, the Senior Partner and Managing Partner stand for re-election one year apart and last year Ian was himself re-elected unopposed. With the firm’s year end expected to produce a solid result, it comes as no surprise for Ian that Patrick received the partnership’s seal of approval.

“To be elected Managing Partner unopposed is a resounding endorsement and a real vote of confidence from the partnership” said Ian, who continued: “Both before and during the recession, the firm has continued to grow with well over 100 people joining us in the last two years. We have managed to carry on investing in our business and driving it forward.”

But although the firm is in decent shape, there is no doubt that the past year has been challenging, as Patrick explains:

“The past 12 months have no doubt been difficult for the legal profession – there has been a general loss of confidence and a tightening of budgets in banks, insurance companies and public sector bodies. There has been less entrepreneurial activity and people have been less willing to take risks. There has even been less litigation than we might have expected in some areas. Tending to cash flow and financial management issues has been the focus for most law firms and we have been no exception.

“But we have maintained a healthy level of activity in most practice areas by focusing on value for money and understanding the commercial pressures our clients face so we can respond accordingly. Our client base has stood us in good stead – for example the commercial business line overall has seen growth due to an increase in instructions from the public sector.

“Creating sustainable profit margins that allow for continuous investment in the business at a time of financial constraints is a real challenge. Improving efficiency so that we can produce better value for our clients has been and will remain high on the agenda.”

On his continuing role in the firm, Patrick said:

“The role of Managing Partner evolves all the time, and so it should; you need new personal challenges. But some things must not change: maintaining the integrity of the organisation, the culture and values, trying at all times to be inclusive, behaving decently to people, motivating them to do their best, dealing with under performance- all these aspects are vitally important and need constant attention and energy. These are the issues you have to lead on and make sure that the people support you. Taking on new challenges is one of the things I enjoy most and perhaps the biggest challenge is to lead change whilst preserving what is good about Weightmans.

“Law firms have to compete on a commercial stage now and some of our competitors have access to greater capital and have bigger brands. With new entrants into the market – some with very deep pockets – our differentiator will be the skills, expertise and experience of our people. We need to work out what really matters and focus on key areas of the business. Weightmans is the people’s firm and our people are without question our most valuable asset; so nurturing talent and creating opportunities for staff is paramount.”

Regarding the personal characteristics required to manage a law firm, Patrick said:

“Judgment, infinite patience, energy and a willingness to engage with people and their ideas are the key attributes of the managing partner. A willingness to learn from every transaction but to get over it quickly if it does not go to plan is paramount because the absolutely essential requirement is to be positive all the time, to count your blessings and be able to have a laugh.”

When Ian Evans, who joined Weightmans in 1973, was first elected Senior Partner in 2000 Weightmans didn’t have a Managing Partner. But that was about to change as he explains:

“The business was essentially managed by a group of partners with a small support team, but we had already started to take steps to put in place a professional management team. The appointment of a Managing Partner was the catalyst for Weightmans' emergence as a modern legal business.

“Weightmans is successful because we have good people who enjoy being here and playing a part in growing a successful business. A hugely enjoyable part of my role is encouraging our people to fulfil their potential. The legal industry is undergoing massive change but with good people and the support of our clients, we will meet the challenges this will bring."