Mr. Leonard Birmingham Photo: Provided

Birmingham has 20 years of experience practicing BVI corporate law and a client base that spans the globe. Consistently recommended by leading independent legal directories including Chambers, Legal 500 and Practical Law Company, Birmingham’s areas of expertise include IPOs and listings, joint ventures, private placements, mergers, takeovers, corporate restructuring, directors’ duties, shareholder rights, project finance and more. He returns to the BVI after 9 years as head of the firm’s office in London.

Global Managing Partner Richard A. Peters commented: “Leonard is one of the firm’s most experienced lawyers and he brings a high level of expertise with him wherever he goes. Having Leonard back in the BVI is a positive development for our BVI office, for our corporate practice generally and for clients who can be assured that Harneys continues to offer the largest and most experienced BVI legal team in the world.”

Birmingham’s experience includes having advised on dozens of noteworthy IPOs and listings on major stock exchanges in New York, London, Singapore, Amsterdam and Oslo including the first listing of a BVI company on the AIM of the London Stock Exchange and the largest-ever IPO in the history of the U.S. fashion industry on the New York Stock Exchange. He advised on the Virgin Galactic joint venture with Aabar Investments and on the BVI aspects of the landmark joint venture which led to the creation of TNK-BP. Clients also include the Virgin Group, Delancey and the Naspers Group.

Birmingham commented: “The last nine years in London have allowed me the opportunity to get closer to many clients and learn more about their needs and objectives. I am now delighted to be returning to the BVI and to the transactional team which sets the standard for the BVI.”

Birmingham was admitted to practice law in the BVI in July 1992 and has been a partner with Harneys since January 1997. He attended the University of the West Indies and the Hugh Wooding Law School. Birmingham is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and a notary public of the BVI.

Peter Tarn succeeds Birmingham as head of Harneys’ London office.