David Lewis

Practice Areas

David Lewis is a member of the firm’s national Regulatory Department, which he led from 2004-2018 before serving two terms as the firm’s Senior Partner (2018-2024). He has previously served as a Regional Office Head, first in Liverpool and later in Leeds (2007-2018), as 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 specialising in inquest and regulatory matters when becoming a founder member of firm's dedicated regulatory services unit in 2004.

David is best known for his work defending organisations and individuals facing investigation and prosecution for offences including corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter and breaches of health and safety legislation. The work often entails on-site investigations, PACE interviews and advocacy in Magistrates' and Coroners' Courts. In addition David has experience of environmental, trading standards, food safety and other regulatory enforcement work.

David has extensive experience of inquest work. He is a veteran of hundreds of inquests, many involving juries and/or of a sensitive nature. David is an Assistant Coroner himself, currently sitting in three different coroner areas, having held coronial office since 2010.

Beyond Weightmans, David is currently Chair of the Trustee Board at Lighthouse Futures Trust, a dynamic, award-winning charity providing opportunities largely for young people with an autistic spectrum disorder and learning difficulties.

In 2016 David completed the second of two terms as a Trustee of NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health), including two years spent as Vice-Chair and two years as Chair of the Strategy Committee. During his time there the organisation earned the coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise – International Trade (2014).

Between 2005-2011 David was a core tutor and module leader on Nottingham Law School's acclaimed 'MBA in Legal Practice' course.

Trained Weightmans; articled clerk 1985-87; qualified 1987; assistant solicitos 1987-89; associate 1989-92; partner 1992; health and safety partner 1993-2002; divisional client liaison partner 1996-97; divisional managing partner 1997-99; deputy managing partner 2000-03; regional managing partner 2003-07; head of regulatory services 2004-2018; regional office head 2007 to 2018; senior partner 2018-2024. Assistant Coroner. Chair of Lighthouse Futures Trust.

Professional Memberships

Coroners Society of England and Wales; Health & Safety Lawyers Association; North East Regulatory Lawyers; Law Society; Leeds Law Society.

Education