Dermot Scully, Partner

Dermot graduated from Trinity College, Dublin with a law degree and qualified as a solicitor in 1991. After qualification, he worked at two large London City law firms (Rowe & Maw/Mayer Brown and Watson, Farley & Williams) before moving to London law firm Harbottle & Lewis in 1995. He became a partner at Harbottle & Lewis in 1997 and was Head of the Employment Group. Dermot established Dermot Scully Solicitors in 2007 (becoming Scully Twiss in 2010).

Dermot advises on all aspects of employment law. He has extensive experience of representing employers in executive severances as well as advising on redundancy programmes and reorganisations. He also has a particular interest in TUPE issues.

Dermot's reputation as a leading employment lawyer is recognised in industry publications. The Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession has commented, "bright and personable, Dermot Scully is an experienced and practical employment lawyer" and “as someone who ‘hits the right level’, clients particularly rate him”.

Notable cases in which he has been involved include successfully representing Virgin Net in the Court of Appeal case Virgin Net v Harper, which clarified the law in relation to the one year service needed for an unfair dismissal claim.

Dermot regularly provides training to groups of HR professionals or groups of managers on HR and employment law issues. He is a member of JSB’s Employment Law Faculty.

Dermot is a Director and Trustee and sits on the Finance Committee of the Brighton Dome and The Brighton Festival (the largest arts festival in England). He also spent a number of years as the partner responsible for finance at Harbottle & Lewis. Dermot has therefore substantial hands on management experience of the issues that affect his clients.

Email: ds@scullytwiss.com

Joanne Twiss, Partner

Joanne graduated from Birmingham University with a law degree and qualified as a solicitor in 1998 with London law firm Penningtons. Joanne joined London media & entertainment firm Harbottle & Lewis in January 2001 where she worked closely with Dermot in the Employment Group, becoming a partner in 2007. Joanne joined the firm as a partner in March 2010.

Joanne has specialised in employment law since qualification and advises employer clients including HR Professionals on the full range of employment matters. As well as the usual day-to-day HR issues, Joanne advises on redundancies, disciplinaries and grievances, outsourcing and business reorganisation, including TUPE issues.

Joanne has particular expertise in employment litigation and dispute resolution, having successfully managed many cases in the Employment Tribunals, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and also in the High Court.

Joanne advises clients from all industry sectors, including retail, financial services, aviation, sport, recruitment, the legal sector, media, entertainment and theatre. Joanne has excellent experience across the full range of employment issues that an employer is likely to face.

In addition to client advice, Joanne is a frequent speaker at client and industry training seminars and conferences and is a faculty member of JSB Employment Law Training. Joanne comments on topical employment issues in the media including appearances on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme.

Email: jt@scullytwiss.com

Sonia Bhola, Solicitor

Sonia qualified as a solicitor in 1996 and has extensive experience as an adviser to employers. She advises on all aspects of employment law including terminations, disciplinaries and grievances, redundancies and has a particular expertise in advising employers who are involved in Employment Tribunal proceedings. Sonia is renowned for her practical and commercial advice, as well her tenacious attitude towards settlements.

Email: sb@scullytwiss.com

Bryan Rickman, Solicitor

Bryan qualified as a solicitor in 1995. He specialises in employee share schemes and brings excellent practical and commercial experience gained as a partner at a major central London law firm.

Bryan can advise on all aspects of employee share schemes, including liaising with HM Revenue & Customs to obtain clearances and approvals where appropriate. He can also advise on all company law implications that become relevant to employment relationships.

Email: br@scullytwiss.com