Rory specialises in shipping and trade, including dispute resolution arising from charterparties, COA's, bills of lading, vessel sale and purchase., shipbuilding/supply contracts, fire and explosions, collisions, groundings, general average, salvage, limitation and total loss. His expertise encompasses both dry and admiralty matters which is especially beneficial when handling major casualties with a multi-jurisdictional focus. Rory has acted for owners, charterers and cargo interests and their insurers on a wide variety of cases. He has developed a reputation for successfully handling major containership casualties involving dangerous goods as well as particular expertise relating to multipurpose and heavy lift vessels. On the advisory side Rory has assisted clients on contract terms including charterparties, COA, bills of lading, pool agreements, ship management agreements, vessel sale and purchase agreements and shipbuilding contracts. Rory has also built up extensive experience in the LNG sector with regard to shipbuilding contracts and long term charters/tenders.

Rory has been listed as a notable practitioner in both the Legal 500 and Chambers over several years and is a Band 1 practitioner in Chambers.

Rory was named in the world's top ten shipping lawyers in 2018 by leading trade publication Lloyds List. One of the barristers surveyed by Lloyd’s List for the report said that Rory gets "top billing among shipping lawyers and is virtually ubiquitous at the moment".

Chambers 2023 again ranks Rory as a Band 1 lawyer and notes he demonstrates wide-ranging expertise in the shipping market, particularly with regard to disputes pertaining to shipbuilding, salvage and bills of lading. His clientele includes owners, cargo interests and charterers.

Chambers 2022 noted "Rory Butler is astute and steeped in the law." "He is commercially minded and easy to deal with." "He is very impressive on both the non-contentious and contentious sides of the maritime sector."

Chambers 2021 notes "He is an absolute star, highly respected and brilliant". "He is commercially minded and very quick and efficient in his responses".

Chambers 2020 states one client highlights his "extraordinary ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses to arrive at the best possible outcome, even exceeding my expectations".

Rory was also recommended in Chambers 2014 to 2019.

Legal 500 2021 and 2022 also note Rory as a leading individual and the 2021 Guide stated "All-rounder Rory Butler is very quick, absolutely reasonable and commercially minded".

Rory edits a regular case update presentation to P&I Clubs and other clients which covers recent developments in English law. He has also spent time on secondment in the industry at a P&I Club and shipbroker.

Rory has also worked with BIMCO on their standard clauses, including the BIMCO Force Majeure clause.

Rory is qualified in England and Wales