 Completing his studies in 1793 , Rowan moved to Lexington , Kentucky and read law under former Kentucky Attorney General George Nicholas . He was admitted to the bar in May 1795 and commenced practice in Louisville . Rowan struggled financially during his early years as a lawyer . Nelson County judge Atkinson Hill took an interest in Rowan , furnishing him with money to expand his law library and taking him as a business partner . In order to earn some money , Rowan accepted an appointment as a public prosecutor , but after securing a felony conviction against a young man in his first case , he was so troubled that he resigned the office and resolved never again to play the role of prosecutor . For the remainder of his career , he always represented defendants . An advocate of education , Rowan allowed several prominent young law students to study in his office , including future U.S. Treasury Secretary James Guthrie , future Supreme Court Justice John McKinley , and future Kentucky Governor Lazarus W. Powell . 
