Harney Westwood & Riegels, the offshore law firm, has expanded its European presence with the appointment of Mann Vergan in Central & Eastern Europe, the CIS and Russia, to spearhead legal practice in these regions. In addition the firm has named Lawrie Kearns to its trusts practice team in the British Virgin Islands.

Mann, to be based in Cyprus, has had previous roles at CMS Cameron McKenna where he was a member of the CEE corporate team and Clifford Chance and Mourant Ozannes where he covered capital markets and real estate transactions in addition to corporate and finance work.

In his new role as a business development consultant Mann will focus on establishing and managing key client relationships throughout the region.

Meanwhile Kearns has joined from the offshore tax department of Rooks Rider where he focused on advising non-UK domiciled individuals on UK and overseas tax planning.

Most recently the firm strengthened its presence in Latin America with the appointment of a permanent representative in Brazil. Brazilian lawyer Maria Buchi, who latterly served as in-house counsel at Triscorp Investimentos and Opus Gestao de Recursos, was appointed to head the firm’s business development in the country.

Harney Westwood & Riegels provides services relating to the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cyprus and Anguilla. It also has offices in London, Hong Kong and Montevideo.