The Legal 500

Harney Westwood & Riegels's attorneys are 'well-versed in both law and business'. The practice assisted Reynolds Group Holdings, a manufacturer and supplier of consumer food and beverage packaging, in connection with the BVI elements of its $4.6bn acquisition of Pactiv Corporation. Other highlights included acting as BVI counsel to Goldman Sachs in relation to a $61m note issue. Managing partner Richard Peters, global head of corporate and commercial Leonard Birmingham, BVI investment funds head Ross Munro, and BVI banking and finance leader Colin Riegels are recommended. Riegels has 'excellent business acumen'.

Ogier's Ray Wearmouth specialises in all corporate and commercial disciplines - banking, capital markets and structured finance matters. Simon Schilder is head of the investment funds practice. The practice advised on the $2.5bn sale of the BVI company that holds the controlling interest in the major Russian commercial seaport, Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port. Managing associate Rachael McDonald 'does a great job', and Lee Osborne, who joined as senior associate from an in-house role at Equity Trust, was previously at Harney Westwood & Riegels.

The 'very attentive and responsive firm' Conyers Dill & Pearman hired *ex-Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP lawyer Kristian Wilson. The team saw a significant increase in BVI aircraft finance work, and advised BMO Nesbitt Burnsin in respect of an issue by Ratel Gold of 32.8m subscription receipts for gross proceeds of CDN$40m. Office head Robert Briant, Alison Chilcott, Anton Goldstein, Ned Jackson and Cora Miller are key contacts. Audrey Robertson is 'professional, responsive and precise'.

Maples and Calder's former joint managing partner Clinton Hempel left in 2010 but the firm welcomed Richard May from Walkers. May is the corporate and investment funds head, and advises on M&A, joint ventures, stock exchange listings and corporate reorganisations. Kieran Walsh is global head of the BVI law practice, and assists clients both originating from Latin America and investing into the Latin American region.

Walkers's key matters included providing BVI law advice in connection with Banco Popular's sale of a 51% in its payment technology subsidiary EVERTEC to funds managed by Apollo Management. The team also acted for UniCredit Bank on its financing of Doughty Hanson, in connection with Doughty Hanson's acquisition of the Equity Trust group, and advised the underwriters in respect of the $1.25bn sale of shares in the IPO, resulting in a market capitalisation for ADHI of more than $3bn. Catherine Ross is a key contact. Newly promoted partner John Gosling 'delivers competent advice'; Marianne Rajic was promoted to senior counsel; Richard May left for Maples and Calder; and senior counsel Matthew Cowman departed to become deputy general counsel at GE Capital.

Appleby is 'a firm that you can put your complete trust in to find a solution'. The practice advised DnB NOR Bank ASA (New York Branch) in relation to the preparation of documentation for the transfer of shares in a BVI entity within the Transocean oil exploration group. The firm also acted for Banco Santander in relation to a $575m syndicated loan to a BVI company, to assist the borrower with the construction, completion, ownership and operation of a deepwater oil drilling unit. Managing partner Michael Burns is 'an astute lawyer whose understanding of the cross-border issues and risks facing offshore entities today ensures that he always delivers a critical and valuable perspective'. Sally Cox is the local banking and asset finance team leader, and Valerie Georges-Thomas is the local head for funds and investment services.

Forbes Hare's recent highlights include acting as lead offshore counsel for an AIM-listed property investment and development company in its approximately £60m acquisition of a leading UK shopping centre. Corporate and Latin America head José Santos is a Caribbean expert on SPACS. Santos' 'strengths include a sensitivity to the commercial issues which are important to clients'.

O'Neal Webster - Barristers & Solicitors acted as BVI counsel to Mercantil Colpatria in connection with its acquisition from General Electric Capital Corporation of a 49.77% stake in Banco Colpatria, one of Colombia's leading banks. Vanessa King heads the commercial department; managing partner Kerry Anderson advises on a range of fund, regulatory, commercial and real estate matters; and counsel Christopher Simpson, who joined from Harney Westwood & Riegels in 2010, focuses primarily on banking and finance, and corporate and commercial law.