PLC can only get you so far

Our clients already know Susan Sweny, as the incredible director of commercial contracts at Kennedy Cater but we thought you’d enjoy Susan's first blog post, which gives us a sneak peek into Susan’s other interests.

PLC can only get you so far

Right, deep breath and here I go, this is my very first blog. I haven’t even read one let alone written one before. Whilst I get the gist of what a blog is I had to Google what it entailed.  Like any good lawyer I was looking for a template!!! Much to my horror there isn’t one and the advice was to be chatty and write about something familiar to yourself! Cats, white wine, the family dog, I thought – who would want to read about that.   So, I had a poke around the internet to see what logophile lawyers were writing about and thought I would take inspiration.  I must admit I can’t really get enthused about top ten tips for killer drafting or what to take to a meeting apart from a pen and paper. However, what did attract my attention was a blog by Sterling Miller about effective in-house counsel reading A LOT*.

And so, I put down my cat App, patted the family dog and poured myself a large glass of white wine and thought about the books I have read over the years that spoke to me in some way, shape or form.   Here is my list (made short as it could go on forever) along with my nibbles of self-knowledge:

1. John Grisham (obvs), the Whistler.   American states cannot regulate activities on Indian reservations or tax their occupants, and so casinos are built on the land which raises revenue to support the tribal community with health and education services although not without issue.     I can remember telling my travelling companions this nugget of information whilst travelling around Palm Springs and seeing some of the casinos.  I sounded very knowledgeable (little did they know).
2. Jane Austen, Persuasion. Anne Elliot is very much a role model.   My favourite line in the book describes our heroine as being “only Anne” but what a woman, apart from one drastic bad decision, she stuck to her guns, was true to herself and didn’t deviate.
3. Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird.  My first real understanding of Civil Rights issues in the US.
4. Agatha Christie, all her novels.  I learnt to appreciate that everyone has a place at the table, it is sometimes the most unexpected person in the room with the best idea or with Agatha, the worst idea!
5. Lynda La Plante, Prime Suspect.  I wanted to be Jane Tennison.   I still do although without her penchant for whiskey.
6. Anything about spies in the second world war.  That was true bravery and puts me in my place whenever I get stressed by my job.

…………………and number 7) Blogs – you can learn A LOT.

Feel free to send me your list.

*Ten Things: Ten Habits of Highly Effective In-House Lawyers | Ten Things You Need to Know as In-House Counsel® (wordpress.com)

Susan Sweny is Director of Commercial Contracts at Kennedy Cater.  Susan lives in West Dulwich and is commercial lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in various industries from: banking; utilities; retail; fashion; tobacco; leisure; and pharmaceutical to digital; media, PR; and corporate training.