About DSM Legal - Our People

DIANE MASSEY  - Principal and Head of Civil Litigation

Email: mailto:diane@dsmlegal.co.uk

Tel: 01925 650 151

BACKGROUND AND AREAS OF PRACTICE
Diane is the Principal and Head of Civil Litigation at DSM Legal.  She practices in the following areas of law: 

  • Contractual disputes
  • Consumer disputes
  • Professional negligence claims    
  • General civil litigation

She specialises in Conditional Fee (no win no fee) funding arrangements and contingency fee agreements.

QUALIFICATIONS/CAREER

Since qualifying in 1994 Diane has worked in private practice throughout Cheshire and Merseyside.  She has acted for Claimants in Employment Tribunal proceedings as well as conducting litigation in the Civil Courts.  She was a part-time lecturer on the GCSE Law and ILEX (Legal Executives) courses, and also a member of the Law Society's Mental Health Review Tribunal panel for six years.  

INTERESTS

Diane enjoys spending time with her family, walking, reading novels and going to the theatre.   

 

THOMAS WOOD - Head of Employment Law Department

Email: mailto:tom.wood@dsmlegal.co.uk

Tel: 01925 650 151

BACKGROUND

Tom joined DSM Legal in October 2008 and is head of our Employment Law department.  He represents both Claimants and Respondents in the Employment Tribunal and is regularly instructed to act in high-value dismissal and discrimination claims.  Tom also provides advice and documentation to both employers and employees

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Tom practises the full range of employment law including:

Dismissals

Experience in:

  • All unfair dismissals, with particular interest in redundancy dismissals
  • Wrongful dismissals
  • Constructive dismissals

Discrimination

Advises and represents clients in relation to all forms of discrimination with experience in:

  • Racial and religious discrimination and harassment
  • Sex discrimination and harassment
  • Direct disability discrimination and failure to make reasonable adjustments
  • Age discrimination

Contractual Disputes

Including:

  • Breaches of service agreements
  • Unlawful deductions from wages
  • Restrictive Covenant injunction proceedings in the High Court

Other

Tom advises employers on dismissal procedures and fairness and drafts compromise agreements in all situations.  He also regularly advises employees on the terms and effect of compromise agreements.

QUALIFICATIONS/CAREER

2008: Joined DSM Legal Solicitors

2008: Locum Solicitor, Mackintosh Law, Liverpool

2008: Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors

2006: Trainee Solicitor, Rowlands LLP, Manchester

2005: Pg Dip Law, Staffordshire University

2004: LLB (Hons), 2:1, Hatfield College - University of Durham

INTERESTS

Outside work, Tom is a keen golfer and avid follower of Port Vale F.C.

 

RACHEL TAYLOR - Head of Personal Injury Department

Email: mailto:rachel.taylor@dsmlegal.co.uk

Tel: 01925 650 151

BACKGROUND

Rachel joined DSM Legal in October 2008 and is head of our Personal Injury Department.  She represents Claimants in all manner of personal injury work; including road traffic accidents, accidents at work, tripping and slipping claims and Criminal Injuries Compensation claims. She also represents those who have suffered as a result of Clinical Negligence. Rachel is a member of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel.

QUALIFICATIONS/CAREER

Upon qualifying in 1995 Rachel worked at Widnes at Forster Dean doing Matrimonial and Personal Injury work. Rachel became a member of the Law Society Family Law Panel and the Law Society Children Panel. She also qualified as a mediator. In 2001 Rachel concentrated solely in the field of personal injury until in 2007 Rachel became a partner at the firm. 

Rachel now deals exclusively with personal injury claims at DSM Legal

INTERESTS

Outside work, Rachel enjoys being active and in particular has a keen interest in running and ski-ing.