Adam Cowell - 1 October 1963-29 July 2004
The sudden death of Adam Cowell on 29 July at the age of 40 marks the loss of one of the profession’s leading business crime lawyers.
In his six years as a partner in the London office of Irwin Mitchell, Cowell established himself as one of the top lawyers in the country, representing defendants in high-profile prosecutions by the Serious Fraud Office. Widely respected as a leading business crime lawyer, Cowell was also adviser to companies and directors under regulatory investigation by the Department of Trade and Industry, Inland Revenue, Customs & Excise and the current Financial Services Authority investigation into split capital investment trusts.
As a young man, Cowell’s prowess as a golfer took him to county representative level and he narrowly decided against a career as a professional golfer. Following a prize-winning First Class Honours Degree in Law at Brunel University, Cowell trained at Powell Magrath & Spencer in Kilburn, after which he spent a short time at Donne Mileham & Haddock in Brighton. Cowell spent a longer period at Bindman & Partners honing his criminal law and advocacy skills. He then founded the London office of Moss & Co, which he grew for five years before joining Irwin Mitchell in 1998.
In six short years at Irwin Mitchell his rise to prominence in the firm was meteoric. He was a frequent lecturer, writer and broadcaster on money laundering and white collar crime. He was also secretary of the International Criminal Law Association, a committee member of the newly-formed Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers and former secretary of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association.
As well as having a keen interest in philosophy and history, Cowell had an extensive knowledge of wine, which was demonstrated at one of the last social events he attended, when he was overjoyed at leading to victory his team at the Vinopolis Lawyers Wine Challenge.
The shock of his death to his colleagues, family and friends is compounded by his physical fitness, which was measured recently by his completion of the London Marathon in 2002, when he raised money for Barnardo’s.
He leaves a wife, Megan, and three daughters, Florence, Grace and Scarlett.
Readers' comments (6)
Linda Tiso (Blake) | 15-Sep-2008 6:48 pm
Sad loss of Adam
I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Adam whom I knew at secondary school. I had lost touch with school friends when I moved north and only recently had contact with some past friends via friends reunited. It was a great shock to hear about Adam but was good to read all about the success he had in his short life. He will be much missed by his family and friends and I send my condolences.
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Anonymous | 21-Sep-2008 10:54 pm
Adam Cowell
I knew, lived with Adam, in flats at Brunel, Kilburn and Perival before he moved on to Ealing with Timothy Evans (ex Materials Technolgy), I wish that it had not been, his golf shots from the Brunel flats were excellent as was his jokes about pierced ears.
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TC | 10-Feb-2009 2:21 pm
Adam Cowell - 1 October 1963-29 July 2004
Terrible. Adam was a star. A kind, innovative and creative guy as well as a sharp and determined lawyer. Had many laughs with him, and battles at the snooker hall in Kilburn. He clearly had an exceptional sporting prowess too, and was as skilled as he was humble. Couldn't believe it when I came across this article on the net. I can only hope Megan and his family have moved on as best they can. All the best to them.
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Anonymous | 17-Dec-2009 6:09 am
I will always remember Adam's pithy sense of humour and his playful, and always intellectually superior, banter. A generous person who always told it how it was, and wasn't afraid to do so. I have fond memories of our verbal sparring and am thankful that I shared part of his life.
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Anonymous | 11-Jul-2011 1:09 pm
Adam was a one off. 8 years since his death and i still cant believe he has gone. Had many laughs with him at Brunel , and recall when he told me that his success was down to him thinking he was a "bit thick so had to work harder than everyone else". He was wrong on that as his brain was as big as a planet. Wish all the best to his family .
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Simon Earlobe (obvious) | 10-Aug-2011 1:58 am
Adam,
I still miss you, great golf shot (mine), shame that we never had more free time for golf (I was never going to go with you for ying-pong sports in Dagenham) when we needed it a bit more.
Hope and wishes for all,
Simon S
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