LAWYER PROFILE
Rowan Smith

Rowan Smith

UK 2026

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Leigh Day
 Leigh Day

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Environment: Claimant

UK-wide

6 years ranked

Administrative & Public Law: Traditional Claimant

UK-wide

5 years ranked

About

Provided by Leigh Day

UK

Practice Areas

Rowan is a solicitor with over 5 years’ PQE in the Human Rights department at Leigh Day. He specialises in public law. His clients include individuals, campaign groups and NGOs.

He has particular expertise in the field of environmental law, most notably strategic litigation concerning climate change (aviation and road infrastructure), extraction of fossil fuels and the energy sector (including nuclear).

Rowan also brings a strong body of cases concerning the public sector with a focus on anti-austerity challenges, including cuts to local services.

This has given Rowan a good grounding in equality law and the opportunity to work on several cases at the cutting edge of developments in human rights law.

Notable cases include: Friends of the Earth Ltd v SofS for Transport (Heathrow Third Runway & climate change duty); SSWHS v SofS for Transport (Stonehenge Tunnel & heritage impacts); Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants v SofS for the Home Department (Right to Rent & compatibility with Articles 8 & 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights); and SH v Norfolk County Council (Care Charges & the Equality Act).

Career

Trained at Bindmans LLP. Joined Leigh Day in March 2016

Professional Memberships

UKELA

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Environment: Claimant - UK-wide

Star Associates
Individual Editorial

Rowan Smith is an associate in the environment practice at Leigh Day. His remit includes advisory work for environmental campaigners and NGOs in connection with challenging decisions, particularly those relating to air pollution, fossil fuels and food production.

Learn more about this teamView ranking table

Administrative & Public Law: Traditional Claimant - UK-wide

Associates to watch
Individual Editorial

Rowan Smith is a senior associate at Leigh Day who focuses his practice on public law matters. He regularly handles challenges with an immigration law crossover, and is also noted for his ability to handle environment-related judicial reviews.

Learn more about this teamView ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • He is consistently good at what he does and is very committed to the cause.

    Environment: ClaimantChambers Guide to the Legal Profession

  • He understands the subject matter and is creative in the way that he thinks. He deals with clients very well and is excellent in the context of appeals.

    Environment: ClaimantChambers Guide to the Legal Profession

  • Rowan is at the top of his game.

    Administrative & Public Law: Traditional ClaimantChambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Ranked Individuals at Leigh Day (93)

London (Firms)

North West

UK-wide

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