Sean Gorman

CEO

Professional Biography
Personal Biography

Sean is Managing Director of Outset - specialists in employment law, HR and corporate law.

He has over 18 years’ experience as a Corporate lawyer and before becoming Managing Director in 2019, he led Outset’s Corporate and Commercial team. Sean has a passion for both understanding businesses and innovation in business and legal services. His approachable personality, ability to quickly understand clients' goals and provide commercial and legal advice in a straight-forward way, is what sets him apart from other lawyers.

Sean took a break from law in 2016 to pursue his interest in business processes, operational delivery and business development, taking up a position as Commercial Director at a national construction company. His first hand experience of the pressures and problems business owners face when running a business puts him in a unique position to advise clients, giving him a deep understanding of the commercial outcomes clients want to receive and the options available to manage risk.

Sean has been recognised by Chambers and Partners, the independent guide to law firms as a leading individual, with clients commenting he “has a good understanding of the commercial realities”.

Sean advises clients on business acquisitions and disposals, equity and debt investments and has experience of a range of commercial matters.

Leading Individual - Chambers and Partners 2015

Leading Individual - Chambers and Partners 2014

Leading Individual - Chambers and Partners 2013

Corporate/M&A - The South: Kent & Sussex

When away from work, what do you enjoy doing?

Whenever I get the chance, I tend to head off somewhere with at least the vague promise of some surfable waves, although it frequently feels like I’m cursed – it seems I bring flat, calm seas with me wherever I go. I’d like to blame my lack of progress surfing on that, but it’s probably just the result of a total lack of natural talent. I’ve recently taken up cycling too, and whilst the boots should probably be long since hung up, I’m usually up for kick-about. And then a long rest. I’m a big music and film fan – I love getting along to gigs and the cinema. I often feel like music and film have taught me more than any other medium – perhaps not about law (although A Few Good Men was a fine start) but definitely about life. Lastly, I love to travel and explore new places. I’ve spent some time living abroad and enjoy experiencing different cultures. I keep telling myself that one day I’ll live in some unspoilt sunny, wave-filled corner of the earth. I am yet to start believing it.

Most likely, you’ll find me drinking a flat white coffee somewhere in Canterbury. Maybe even an espresso martini, if it’s Saturday.

What is your favourite book or movie?

As a film geek, this is too hard, but: Into the Wild, Blade Runner, Juno, Boyhood, Amores Perros. That’s probably enough. Book is easy though – The Rum Diary, by Hunter S Thompson.

Describe an interesting fact about yourself?

I once had a football transfer fee paid for me. It was £5. Big money back in 1994. Shortly after that, Man Utd paid £7m for Andy Cole. I’ll let you decide who got the best deal.

When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

I didn’t, so I ended up a lawyer. I still don’t know now…