Rowan, who has enjoyed 48 years in the legal profession and was a former President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, joined Norman Wilson & Co in 1983 and was instrumental in its merger with leading Irish law firm Arthur Cox in 1996 when the firm was established in Belfast.

He led Arthur Cox NI’s commercial property practice across acquisitions, disposals and leases for institutional clients, multiple retailers and developers, as well as wider property development and finance matters, until 2018, when he became a consultant to the firm.

Throughout his career, Rowan has been involved in many of Northern Ireland’s most significant and complex property transactions.

Commenting on his retirement, Lynsey Mallon, Managing Partner, Arthur Cox Northern Ireland, said:

“Rowan has made an exceptional contribution to Arthur Cox NI, our clients and the wider legal profession throughout his distinguished career.

“His experience, judgement and integrity have shaped our firm and supported the growth of the real estate sector in Northern Ireland for decades.

“On behalf of Arthur Cox, I would like to thank Rowan for his dedication, leadership and service, and wish him every happiness in his retirement.”

A commercial property lawyer with a strong interest in private client work, Rowan was a founding member and the first Chair of the Northern Ireland Commercial Property Lawyers’ Association. He was also Chair of the Antrim & Ballymena Solicitors’ Association in 1983 and the Belfast Solicitors’ Association in 1991-92.

In 2015, Rowan was elected to the Council of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, where he chaired both the Client Complaints and Education Committees, and is currently completing a second three-year term as Chair of the Professional Liability Committee.

Rowan was elected as the President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland for 2019-20 and was reappointed for 2020-21. He was recently re-elected to the Law Society’s Council for a further three years and will continue to play an active role in the Society’s affairs.

Reflecting on his career, Rowan said:

“It has been a privilege to have worked alongside so many talented colleagues, clients and friends over the years.

“Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to play a role in projects which have helped shape Northern Ireland’s commercial landscape and I am hugely proud of what we have achieved together as a firm.

“I look forward to seeing Arthur Cox Northern Ireland continue to go from strength-to-strength.”