Date posted:
Wed 06 March 2024
Name: Paddy Dwyer
Company: DLA Piper UK LLP
Position: Legal Director
What do you actually do day-to-day? I’m a commercial contracts lawyer. Ultimately my time is spent helping clients with contracts which either support their critical infrastructure or put in place supply chains or distribution channels. This can vary from large scale business process outsourcings which can last months/years before the contract is even signed, to relatively short terms and conditions to be included in standard offerings. As contract lawyers, we like to think that we solve problems which clients haven’t even thought about yet. I am also part of the national industrials leadership team, so a lot of time is spent learning about the needs of our manufacturing client base and I am part of our national government contracting team, so developing offerings for our public sector clients too.
Have you ever had a mentor? If so, who? Informally my supervising partner for the last decade and a bit has been my mentor, Peter Brook.
Does money motivate you? I wouldn’t work at all if I didn’t need the money but on a task by task level, not really.
What has been the most important event in your working life? Probably getting a training contract many many years ago, without which I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Who do you most admire? Given the recent news at the time of writing, it’s hard to not say Jurgen Klopp. However, I’d probably have to go with Muhammed Ali. Anyone who can be top of their game, entertaining and resolute in defence of their morals deserves admiration. This year is 60 years since he won his first title and 50 years since the “Rumble in the Jungle” but the fact he is still talked about with reverence even from those outside boxing shows the impact he made and legacy he left.
What does leadership mean to you? Enabling people to be the best they can be. If a leader can harness that ability then almost any objective is possible.
What’s your favourite TV programme? It’s a tough one between The Sopranos and The Wire, I’d probably go with the former for the humour it (albeit sometimes darkly) brings.
How do you relax? Spending time with family and friends.
Fry up or healthy smoothie? I should go with smoothie but fry up every time.
Pub or club? Pub, I’m too old and grumpy for clubbing now!
Gym or countryside walk? Gym, as a city centre dweller, a countryside walk involves too many logistics.
Favourite piece of music? This changes pretty much daily but currently, I’m enjoying Nightswimming by REM.
Flannels or Florence & Fred? If I’m shopping for others, Flannels. I can't remember the last time I bought clothes for myself as I, fortunately, seem to get stocked up at Christmas and birthdays these days. But if I did buy for me, F&F. Writing this down makes me think this might be why my fiancée keeps buying my clothes…
Birkdale or Birkenhead? I have family in both so couldn’t possibly upset either…
