Thompsons Solicitors is proud to announce two new partners along with the promotion of three new associates. Peter O’Donnell and David Martyn who jointly manage the firm’s award winning employment law team are appointed partner and will continue to build on their enormous success with trade union clients across Scotland. Peter who joined Thompsons in 2007 and David who joined in 2009 have grown the number of trade union clients represented by the firm and are regularly involved in some of the country’s most high profile employment cases. The most notable recently being the securing of a financial deal for Tullis Russell workers in Fife and a similar settlement for workers in Ayrshire made redundant with 15 minutes notice by one of Mike Ashley’s companies.
They are both highly respected commentators on all aspects of employment law and regularly appear in the press as well as radio and television. Commenting on his promotion David Martyn said “With the uncertainties for employees created by our impending departure from the European Union and the ongoing attacks against the rights of trade unions and their members, it’s a huge privilege to be asked to lead Scotland’s only specialist trade union Employment Law Team at this time. Our goal is to help our trade unions and their members mount the most robust legal challenge to the injustices they face in the workplace.”
Peter O'Donnell added "Robust defence of people rights in the work place has never been more relevant in the turbulent times we find ourselves. I'm very privileged to be able to work with Scotland's top employment law team and these promotions for David and myself are as much a recognition of the whole team as anything else."
Wendy Durie is staff partner with Thompsons. Commenting on the decision to promote Peter and David she said “The contribution that both Peter and David have made to expanding and developing the employment team are difficult to overestimate. Both are extremely dedicated and hard working. They lead a large team and have really engendered a culture of innovation and excellence where everyone feels they have the chance to further their career but also make suggestions and propose new ideas knowing they will be given a fair hearing. They are both highly deserving of their partnerships.”
In addition Thompsons have also made three associate promotions. Lindsay Bruce who works in mass litigation and who joined the firm in 2007, Craig Smillie who joined Thompsons in 2010 and is a key figure in the firms highly successful lung disease team and Greg McEwen who joined in 2013 and is a prominent member of the firms road traffic accident team. Commenting on their promotions Wendy Durie said “Lindsay, Craig and Greg are all highly valued members of the firm and have shown huge commitment in what are very challenging roles. Lindsay has been central to the ongoing success of some of our largest and most high profile cases. She represents parents affected by the baby ashes scandal which has made headline news across the country as well as clients who lives have been turned upside down by faulty surgical mesh implants. These are difficult cases where we have large numbers of clients, many of whom are very vulnerable and emotional. Lindsay has shown great empathy and dedication when dealing with them. Craig’s role in our lung disease team is crucial and his forensic approach to many of these highly complex cases has made a huge difference. Greg is one of the most prominent members of our highly successful road traffic accident team where his hard work and attention to detail has marked him out from the start as one of the firms leading lights. I’m very proud of all three of them and as with our two new partners they are very deserving of their promotions.”
