Law firm announces record turnover in year of ‘steady growth’

Law firm Weightmans, which has an office in Leeds, has announced record turnover of £97.1m and increased operating profit for the 2017/18 financial year.

Turnover increased by 3%, whilst gross profit grew by 5.3%, as the firm emerges from its first year following the launch of its new strategy and restructure.

Over the last financial year, Weightmans said it has invested heavily in its offices, technology and people.

The firm has consolidated three offices in the South East and two in Manchester into new, state of the art London and Manchester bases respectively, triggering a marked jump in productivity and establishing an increased presence.

Weightmans has also reconfigured its lease and footprint for its Birmingham office at St Philips Point, which underwent a full refurbishment in July, and saw the roll out of new tech and the introduction of ‘agile working’ following successful pilots in Manchester, London and Leicester.

Another focus has been on attracting new talent to the firm, with 13 partners joining in the last year alone, including a sports lawyer and an aviation expert. Weightmans has also invested heavily in business services, building its data analytics capability and adding new skills to a changing workforce.

The firm has also created a dedicated ‘Innovation Group’, spearheaded by board director Stuart Whittle. The innovation group comprises lawyers, developers and business analysts, and is responsible for conceiving, championing and carefully developing new products and initiatives.

Managing partner John Schorah said: “I am proud of all we have achieved in the last 12 months and most of all our people, who have not just embraced change but have been the catalysts in our transformation.

“Whether investing in technology and innovation, embarking on ambitious recruitment drives or moving into premises that will evolve with us, ultimately we are in the strongest position we have ever been in to focus on our clients and deliver a truly commercial service which goes beyond black letter law.

“This extraordinary volume of office moves and refurbishments has been understandably costly for the business – we have had an unusually high number of lease events to contend with in the course of one year and that was always going to affect profit in the short-term.

“Our vision is to enhance our business by creating an approach which futureproofs what we do and offers a wealth of opportunity to the people who work for us. I believe we’re on the right path to realising this.”