In conversation with Rowan Aspinwall
Rowan Aspinwall is a senior associate in DLA Piper's UK Restructuring Group, acting for a variety of major clearing banks, private equity firms, insolvency practitioners and property advisers. Rowan was part of the inaugural team of lawyers that travelled to Lusaka, Zambia in February 2016 to teach legal drafting skills to graduate law students at the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE).
Rowan joined lawyers from five international offices on a New Perimeter project that was partnered with global client, GE and Chibesakunda & Co, a member of DLA Piper Africa. The project built upon the successful Tanzania Law School Teaching Project, a five-year project where GE was also the client partner.
The ZIALE project comprised a week-long course for approximately 240 students. The project team taught for six hours each day using a combination of practical group exercises, simulations and case studies, with the students rotating through course topics that included: Principles of Effective Writing and Drafting; Negotiating and Drafting Dispute Resolution Clauses; Drafting African LMA Loan Documents; Drafting Sale and Purchase Agreements and Drafting Joint Venture Agreements.
In London, Rowan has recently been involved with high profile performing/non-performing loan portfolio sales and has experience across a wide range of sectors, including real estate, hospitality and leisure and retail.
“Rowan is a great pro-bono contributor, and he did a remarkable job on the ZIALE project,” said Claire Donse, International Pro Bono Counsel. “His enthusiasm and sense of fun made him very popular among the students, allowing him to quickly break down barriers while encouraging participation and practical learning.”
About Rowan Aspinwall
Rowan is a legal director in DLA Piper's London office.
"I felt like a rock star walking into the classrooms at ZIALE. The students were enthusiastic, fun and eager to learn. It was exciting to be part of the development of the next generation of Zambian lawyers."
Building Capacity at Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education
