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Palisade Insurance Partners Expands Senior Leadership Team

Palisade Insurance Partners, LLC (“Palisade” or the “Company”), a specialty managing general underwriter (“MGU”), today announced the appointments of two seasoned industry executives across its business geography. Scott Stevenson has joined Palisade Insurance Partners LLC in New York as Head of US Risk, from Aon Special Opportunities Group where he served as Senior Vice President. Mark de la Haye has joined Palisade Risk Solutions Ltd in London as Head of UK and Europe Risk, from Augusta Ventures Limited, where he served as Head of Resolutions.

Headquartered in New York, Palisade specializes in underwriting insurance for litigation and other contingent legal risks, and transaction insurance.

John McNally, President and Head of Underwriting at Palisade, said, “We are pleased to welcome Scott and Mark, two highly regarded professionals with extensive experience within the legal, litigation finance and insurance industries. For the last three years, Scott has been a leading underwriter of contingent legal risks in the insurance market, after practicing at a premier US law firm. Mark has considerable experience managing litigation investment portfolios, including a focus on insurance requirements. Scott and Mark will broaden and strengthen Palisade’s capabilities to provide comprehensive risk transfer solutions and detailed litigation underwriting for our clients and partners.”

Mr. Stevenson commented, “Palisade has an impressive capability to solve complex insurance issues. I look forward to combining my litigation and insurance underwriting experience to strengthen Palisade’s unique platform and pursue creative solutions for specialized insurance matters across the legal spectrum.”

Mr. de la Haye added, “Palisade has created a strong platform to deliver innovative litigation and transactional insurance solutions for a wide variety of clients. I am excited to apply my legal background together with my litigation finance experience to further develop Palisade’s offering and strategic direction during this exciting period of growth.”

Mr. McNally concluded, “Palisade is ideally positioned to serve the fast-growing demand for contingent legal risk insurance, including from corporate clients, law firms, asset management funds, and specialty finance vehicles. The addition of these executives will greatly enhance operations as we continue scaling Palisade’s growing network of insurance partners.”

Scott Stevenson Biography

Mr. Stevenson brings more than twelve years of experience from all sides of the legal industry. Before joining Palisade, he was Senior Vice President at Aon’s Special Opportunities Group, where he led a team specializing in underwriting contingent legal and related risks. Previously, Mr. Stevenson worked at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, where he handled complex transactions, and advised on strategic investments and corporate governance matters. Mr. Stevenson began his career as a Law Clerk, first at The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and then at The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Mr. Stevenson gained a B.A. from University of Pennsylvania, a B.S. at The Wharton School of Business, and a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law.

Mark de la Haye Biography

Mr. de la Haye boasts almost two decades of experience of dispute resolution and litigation fund and investment management. While at Augusta Ventures Limited, he helped oversee both underwriting and insurance requirements for a range of investments, and strategically collaborated with lawyers and clients to manage legal disputes. He was a permanent member of Augusta’s New Business Committee and its Investment Committee. Previously, Mr. de la Haye served in private practice, most recently as a Solicitor at Clyde & Co. During his time in private practice, Mr. de la Haye represented clients around the world in high value, complex and often multi-jurisdictional litigation and arbitration. Mr. de la Haye received an LLB from the University of Exeter and an LPC from The University of Law.

About Palisade Insurance Partners

Palisade Insurance Partners (“Palisade”) is an MGU that specializes in underwriting litigation-related insurance, transaction liability products, and contingent legal risk solutions. Palisade is dedicated to providing clients with access to specialty insurance while applying the highest standards of underwriting and upholding its core values of integrity and independence. To learn more, please visit https://palisadeinsurance.com/.

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New Burford Capital Research Reveals Significant Opportunities for Businesses Through Patent Monetization

By Harry Moran |

Burford Capital, the leading global finance and asset management firm focused on law, today releases new research on patent monetization, a means for businesses with significant intellectual property to generate revenue from patent assets through licensing, direct enforcement and corporate divestitures. With high research and development costs, long development timelines and intense IP competition, CFOs and GCs are faced with the challenge of seeking greater value from their companies' patent portfolios without diverting capital from core business operations. Moreover, converting underutilized intellectual property into liquid assets enables companies to fuel ongoing innovation and drive future growth.

Despite substantial investments in securing and maintaining patents, many companies fall short in leveraging their intellectual property—resulting in missed financial opportunities and ongoing costs that could otherwise be offset through monetization. This research shows companies shifting to a more proactive stance toward patent monetization as they face mounting economic pressures, rising costs of maintaining large patent portfolios and headline-generating enforcements and divestitures by major brands that increase acceptance. Nearly 70% of in-house lawyers say their organizations are more likely to monetize patents today than a decade ago, and 73% report that patent monetization revenue has grown over the last 10 years.

"Patent monetization remains a significantly underutilized asset for many businesses," said Christopher Bogart, CEO of Burford Capital. "Companies frequently hold valuable patents that require substantial investment to enforce, incurring significant expense—risk we routinely finance for clients. In today's climate of intensifying global competition and rapidly evolving IP enforcement landscapes, legal finance empowers companies to strengthen their patent monetization strategies and take a more proactive, value-driven approach to IP management."

"Companies have a significant opportunity to unlock value from their intellectual property," said Katharine Wolanyk, Managing Director at Burford Capital and head of its intellectual property and patent litigation finance division. "In conversations with CFOs and general counsel across industries, we frequently hear that patent portfolios are viewed as cost centers rather than assets, and this research substantiates that assertion. Legal finance offers a powerful solution by transforming underutilized IP assets into a source of liquidity that can fuel business priorities and allow companies to continue the essential cycle of innovation."

Key findings from the study include:

  • Companies are missing revenue opportunities: Even as patent monetization is increasing, 79% of in-house lawyers say that more than a quarter of their patent portfolio is underutilized. The costs of maintaining patents without monetization include lost revenue, delayed market entry and reduced market share.
  • Revenue generated by patent monetization is growing: 73% of in-house lawyers report that revenue from patent monetization has increased over the last 10 years and 69% of in-house lawyers say their organizations have become more likely to monetize patents in the past decade.
  • Divestiture is a fast-growing monetization strategy: 71% of in-house lawyers have already divested patents or are actively exploring divestiture options.
  • Clients can de-risk direct enforcement with finance: 72% of law firm lawyers cite the high cost of litigation as a deterrent to clients pursuing meritorious patent claims.
  • Legal finance plays a growing role in patent monetization: 59% of law firm lawyers say clients use legal finance for patent monetization; 51% of in-house lawyers say they are actively planning or exploring the use of legal finance to support patent enforcement and monetization going forward.
  • Global patent monetization is active: The US remains the top market for patent monetization due to strong enforcement mechanisms. The Unified Patent Court (UPC) is driving change in Europe, with 74% of in-house lawyers expecting increased enforcement in the region.

This research, commissioned by Burford and conducted by GLG, captures insights from 300 in-house IP counsel and law firm partners involved in patent litigation in North America, Europe and Asia.

The research report can be downloaded on Burford's website.

About Burford Capital

Burford Capital is the leading global finance and asset management firm focused on law. Its businesses include litigation finance and risk management, asset recovery, and a wide range of legal finance and advisory activities. Burford is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUR) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: BUR), and works with companies and law firms around the world from its global network of offices.

For more information, please visit www.burfordcapital.com.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any ordinary shares or other securities of Burford.

Announcements Commercial People Moves

Court House Capital Appoints New CEO as Michelle Silvers Moves into Chairman Role

By Harry Moran |

Court House Capital is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Hourn as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 14 April 2025. This strategic leadership transition marks an exciting new chapter for the company as Michelle Silvers, who has served as CEO since 2020, steps into the role of Chairman of the Board. 

Michelle Silvers has been instrumental in Court House Capital’s growth, innovation, and performance since its inception. Her move into the Chairman position reflects the company's ongoing commitment to visionary leadership and long-term success. 

"Leading Court House Capital has been an incredible journey, and I am proud of what we've built. I look forward to continuing to support the company's future in a strategic capacity as Chairman." Michelle Silvers, Chairman, Court House Capital 

Incoming CEO Matt Hourn brings over 25 years of experience in commercial litigation and is cofounder of Court House Capital. His strong commercial insight and legal expertise, leadership capabilities, and innovative vision make him well-suited to drive the next phase of growth. 

"I am honoured to step into the role of CEO and build on the strong foundation Michelle has established," Matt Hourn, Chief Executive Officer, Court House Capital. 

This transition underscores the firm’s commitment to continuity and strategic evolution, positioning Court House Capital for sustained success. 

ABOUT COURT HOUSE CAPITAL 

Court House Capital is a leading litigation funder focused on cases in Australia and New Zealand. Led by industry founders, with Australian based capital, the team is renowned for expertise, agility and collaboration. courthousecapital.com.au 

Announcements People Moves

IQuote Limited Strengthens Senior Leadership Team with New Director Appointment

By Harry Moran |

Manchester-based litigation finance firm IQuote Limited has bolstered its senior leadership team with the appointment of a new Director of Campaigns, reinforcing its commitment to expansion and innovation in the sector.

Stepping into the role is Katie Doherty, an experienced litigation finance specialist with a track record of driving growth and operational success. 

She has held senior positions at various law firms prior and has worked alongside IQuote CEO Craig Cornick for over 15 years across multiple roles.

Katie said she was both delighted and grateful for the opportunity and expressed a keen desire to get started as soon as possible. 

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for IQuote as we continue expanding our legal tech partnerships and investing in new opportunities,” Katie said.  “This is a fast-moving industry, and I’m looking forward to leading campaigns that will drive the firm’s next stage of growth.

“I can’t wait to get stuck in. IQuote has evolved massively in respect of its business offerings, the firms we are investing in, and the different campaigns we are now exploring. You have to be constantly thinking on your feet; there’s never a dull moment.”

Originally aspiring to become a solicitor, Doherty began her career in legal administration before transitioning into finance and business strategy.  She first collaborated with Craig in 2010, playing a key role in business operations, asset management, and claims handling. 

Katie thanked her team at IQuote for all their help and support.

“They have all been fantastic, and I have so much admiration for Craig,” she said.

“For him nothing is impossible; if you say, ‘it can’t be done,’ he will immediately tell you that it can and how you can make it happen.”

Craig Cornick, CEO of IQuote Limited, said: “Katie has been instrumental in the success of multiple businesses I’ve led, and her ability to think strategically while keeping operations running smoothly is unmatched.

“She knows how to build and execute campaigns that deliver real results, and that’s exactly what we need as we continue to scale. Her expertise in litigation finance, combined with her hands-on leadership style, makes her a perfect fit for this role.

“She’s got an incredible work ethic also. From the very start, Katie has always been willing to roll up her sleeves and do whatever it takes to get the job done. 

“Whether it was managing complex operations or jumping in to solve unexpected challenges, she’s always been a problem-solver. That kind of determination is what sets her apart and why I’m confident she’ll drive real impact in this position.”