Sullivan
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Biography

Holding law degrees in both the United States and Ireland, Aidan has a background in both commercial real estate and foreign direct investment. Aidan has had a significant role in the development of Sullivan's Commercial Real Estate Development, Investment and Finance and Foreign Direct Investments Practices serving the technology, life sciences, financial services and commercial real estate sectors in the United States and Europe. He serves on several for-profit and non-profit advisory boards. He is a Fellow of the Smurfit Graduate School of Business at University College Dublin and Founding member of the school's North American Board.

Since his move to the United States, Aidan has assisted hundreds of companies and institutions in the United States, Ireland and the European Union, including banks, real estate investors, life sciences and technology venture capital firms, and technology and manufacturing companies, particularly those looking to establish and be capitalized in the United States. His clients also include numerous high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) and international investors as well as world-class athletes. The majority of Aidan’s clients are serviced by Sullivan’s technology, real estate,  REIT, capital markets, tax, corporate and litigation practice areas.

Aidan has also served as a foreign direct investment consultant to Ireland’s leading law firm, A&L Goodbody, for over 25 years. In this role, he has assisted American corporations as they enter Ireland and the EU. He serves on several advisory boards, including The Cashman Group, Patriot Renewables, PEC, Inc., The Irish American Partnership and is also the Chairman of the Boston Friends of the Gaelic Players Association. Aidan serves as managing partner of Boston Life Sciences LLC, GPO1916 LLC, Three Castles Enterprises, LLC and has assisted in several funds in capital formations.

Education
  • Suffolk University Law School (J.D.)
  • Incorporated Law Society of Ireland, Dublin (J.D.)
  • University College, Dublin (B. Comm)
Bar & Court Admissions
  • The Republic of Ireland
  • Massachusetts (foreign legal consultant)
  • Law Society of England and Wales
Professional Qualifications
  • Incorporated Law Society of Ireland
  • Massachusetts Bar Association (foreign legal consultant)
  • Boston Bar Association
  • International Bar Association
  • Host Committee Member, International Bar Association's Annual Meeting
  • Former Member, Law Society of England and Wales
  • Founding Member, North American Board, Smurfit Graduate Business School of University College, Dublin
Awards & Honors
  • "Boston Irish Business Award,"  Boston Business Journal and the Boston Irish Business Association (2013)
  • "Leader in Law," Irish Leaders of New England Award (2012)
  • "U.S.-Irish Top Legal 100," Irish-America Magazine (2007-2009)
  • "Most Influential U.S.-Irish Business Leader," Business & Finance (2007-2009)
  • Fellow, Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, University College, Dublin, Ireland (2007)
Community Engagement
  • Board Member, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
  • Chairman, Boston Friends of the Gaelic Players Association
  • Executive Leadership Institute Participant, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, 2012
  • Board Member, Irish American Partnership
  • Member, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Membership Committee
  • Member, Neenan Society, Boston College
  • Chairman, Boston Advisory Board, Haven for Haiti (a world humanitarian organization)
  • Director, Guestbook Project
Viewpoints
All Viewpoints
Irish Digital Firms Now on the Clock to Comply with Anti-Money Laundering Rules
With the European Union’s (“EU”) focus on strengthening its rules to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing, Ireland recently joined the ranks of member states who incorporated the EU’s financial crime regulations into domestic law. Ireland’s legislation, The Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill, strengthens existing anti-money laundering legislation and gives effect to the EU’s 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive. The EU’s 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive, among other things, seeks to (i) improve transparency on the real owners of companies; (ii) extend anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing rules to virtual currencies, tax related services, and traders in works of art; and (iii) enhance the powers of EU Financial Intelligence Units and facilitate their cooperation. Given the public, private, and governmental interest in virtual currency trends, it is the anti-money laundering and counter terrorism rules on Irish digital firms that are causing the biggest stir. Specifically, these rules now apply to Irish entities which provide services that are in charge of holding, storing, and transferring virtual currencies which means these businesses will have to identify their customers and report any suspicious activity to the EU’s Financial Intelligence Units, which compile and process reports about suspicious transactions. In honoring its commitments as an EU member state and to comply with the most recent directive, the new Irish law requires businesses in Ireland that provide financial services for virtual currencies to comply with anti-money laundering rules. The Central Bank of Ireland commented that Irish digital firms, also known as virtual asset service providers, will need to register with the Central Bank for anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing purposes. While Irish digital firms are no doubt aware of best practices in the industry, the new rules will require each affected entity to reassess their day-to-day approach and comply with enhanced scrutiny and additional monitoring.
Irish Firms 'Very Attractive to Investors' – Leading Law Firm Highlights Benefits of US Capital Markets
Aidan Browne, David Danovitch, leader of Sullivan's Corporate Department, Benjamin Armour, leader of Sullivan's Mergers and Acquisitions Group, and Douglas Stransky, leader of Sullivan's International Tax Group, were quoted in the article "Irish Firms 'Very Attractive to Investors' – Leading Law Firm Highlights Benefits of US Capital Markets," published by Business Post on February 14, 2025.  In the article, Aidan, Ben, David and Doug explore the potential impact of President Donald Trump's administration on Ireland's tax competitiveness and capital markets in light of expected changes to U.S. tax regulations. David, among with other Sullivan partners interviewed by Business Post, noted that "there will likely be a loosening of regulation which would benefit Irish businesses looking to raise finance." Doug commented on the impact of Trump's decision to "rebuff the OECD framework," arguing that "the Trump administration's rejection of global tax accord...posed certain risks but also presented opportunities for Ireland."  In their interviews with Business Post, Doug, David, Ben and Aidan shed light on U.S. litigation and debunk fears about high costs, emphasizing that Irish firms are often well-regarded by American investors. "Yes, there is a fear of litigation insurance, but it's managed, and it's really not any more significant in your business operations than it would be in Ireland or the UK or South America," said Ben. The article also discusses an upcoming visit to Ireland in March, led by Sullivan's Aidan Browne, David Danovitch and Benjamin Armour, to meet with key industry players and clarify misconceptions about raising capital in the U.S.  Read the full article here. 
Sullivan Hosts Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu and City Councilor Brian Worrell
Sullivan was honored to host the Mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, and City Councilor, Brian Worrell, at our Boston office for a discussion with commercial real estate developers, investors and other industry professionals on May 23, 2024. Moderated by Aidan Browne, Ashley Brooks and Ameek Ashok Ponda, the Mayor responded to questions from the commercial real estate community and engaged in discussion about present industry conditions, the future of the BPDA and pending changes to tax rates.  

Aidan F. Browne