Personal Profiles, Professional Insights: Meet Tomos Lewis, Commercial and Public Sector Partner

Despite Caren warning Tomos off entering the legal profession – citing its rigorous demands – her dedication to justice inspired Tomos to ignore her advice and embrace the challenge.

After studying law at Cardiff University and cutting his teeth in environmental law, he joined Blake Morgan in 2018. By 2024, he had achieved a significant career milestone, becoming a partner — a bittersweet achievement as it coincided with his mother’s final days living with breast cancer.

“She saw me reach this goal, and it was a special moment when I told her. She inspired me to take this career path, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. I’m so glad I got to share that milestone with her.”

Today, Tomos is renowned for his adept handling of complex commercial matters, nationally critical procurements, high-value contract negotiations, and governance issues. He serves a diverse client base, including public bodies, private firms, and sports organisations.

While upholding the family legal tradition, he proudly champions the Welsh language, which he seamlessly integrates into his legal practice. This has earned him the role of Welsh language champion at Blake Morgan.

His expertise and approachable style have made him a preferred legal partner for clients such as the Welsh Language Commissioner, the NHS in England and Wales, and the central Government. His reputation for dealing with complexity and offering accessible legal advice means he’s making an impact on both sides of Offa’s Dyke.

His skills in managing complex situations were crucial during his pivotal role in advising NHS England on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

We sat down with Tomos to explore his career, his insights on maintaining a work-life balance, and the influence of his heritage on his professional life.

What drew you to pursue a career in law, and how has your Welsh background influenced your professional path?

My Welsh heritage is deeply intertwined with my professional identity. It allows me to communicate and connect with clients in their first language, an invaluable aspect of my legal practice. Growing up in Bangor, immersed in the Welsh language and culture, my mother’s career as a lawyer deeply inspired me. Despite her clear advice to choose a different path, watching her dedication and sense of fulfilment from her work fuelled my interest in following in her footsteps. I am so grateful that she saw me become a partner at Blake Morgan. She was my original inspiration for a legal career, so it meant so much that I could share that milestone with her. I am also glad that she knew I could use the Welsh language in my work every day.

How do you integrate your Welsh language skills into your legal practice?

Welsh is a vital part of my working life and legal practice.

Could you elaborate on your role in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and its challenges?

Advising NHS England during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout was a huge challenge and a career highlight. The project required swift, decisive action and a keen understanding of the public health stakes involved. We worked tirelessly, often through the night, to establish the necessary contracts and ensure a robust supply chain for vaccine delivery nationwide.

It was a pressure-filled time, and we had to balance strict commercial negotiations with an urgent public health mission. I was very lucky to be part of the team delivering the legal frameworks to make the vaccine programme possible. I’m proud our work on the vaccine rollout was nominated for a national award. It was a privilege to play a small part.

What is the most rewarding aspect of working in commercial law at Blake Morgan?

The most rewarding aspect of my role is seeing the direct impact of our work.

Witnessing the real-world effects of our legal advice brings the more abstract aspects of law into vivid reality.

With the partnership responsibilities at Blake Morgan, how do you manage work-life balance, especially as a new father?

Balancing a demanding career with family life is an ongoing challenge. Since becoming a father, I’ve grown more conscious of the need to be present at home. Blake Morgan supports this with policies that foster work-life balance, allowing me to spend quality time with my daughter Beti and participate actively in her early years. This support was invaluable, particularly when I took extended paternity leave. It meant I got to spend long periods with her at different stages in her early development, and I cherish those times. Many firms talk the talk but don’t walk the walk on work-life balance. The fact that I spent that time with Beti on full pay is a testament to the firm’s progressive stance on parental involvement.

As a mentor and leader at Blake Morgan, how do you approach influencing the next generation of legal talent?

Mentoring is incredibly rewarding because it allows me to support the growth of the next generation of lawyers. I was lucky to have a supportive mentor when I was a trainee. I strive to pay that forward by creating an environment where our trainees can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the firm’s goals and our community engagement work. I aim to inspire them to be great lawyers and well-rounded people who value their work and its impact on society.

For more information on Tomos Lewis, click here.

Read the Welsh language version here.