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McDonald Hopkins’ Litigation Finance Group welcomes seasoned attorney to its powerhouse team

By Harry Moran |

McDonald Hopkins is proud to welcome John J. Hanley as a Member in the Business Department and the Litigation Finance Practice Group. John brings with him years of experience, a proven track record of success and an innovative spirit that will play a pivotal role at the firm.

“McDonald Hopkins is a great brand in the litigation finance space.” said John. “The goal here is to capture market share. We will continue to be among the best and most active in the litigation finance space, and I’m excited to contribute to it.”

John specializes in litigation finance and complex financial transactions. He has over two decades of extensive experience from highly esteemed East Coast law firms in first and second lien financings, private debt and equity placements, acquisition and sale of loans, securities, trade claims, and other illiquid assets. His clientele includes a diverse array of financial entities, such as litigation funders, business development companies, specialty lenders, investment banks, hedge funds and others. He attributes his success in the field to his client-focus and the way he approaches complex matters.

“I identify as a part of the client’s team. I use terminology like ‘our position,’ ‘our claims,’ ‘our proceeds,’ and I mean it. It may seem small, but I think it strikes a chord and makes a difference,” John noted.

John’s arrival is a strategic step in building upon the success and influence the Litigation Practice Group has achieved. His addition bolsters a powerhouse team of attorneys, including Marc Carmel and Edward Reilly, who have deep experience in this field. This addition aligns with the group’s recent Chambers ranking, which recognized it as one of five firms ranked in the 2024 Chambers Litigation Support Guide for Litigation Support Deal Counsel (USA-Nationwide) and Marc Carmel as one of eight attorneys ranked individually.

“With John, we truly are positioned to offer unparalleled expertise and service in the litigation finance realm. This not only affirms our leadership in the field but also demonstrates our ongoing dedication to expanding and enhancing the support we provide to our clients. We believe no other middle-market practice matches the scope of our engagements, and John’s arrival shows that the best in the business want to be here. We are thrilled to have him on the team,” said Marc Carmel, Chair of the Litigation Finance Practice and Managing Member of McDonald Hopkins’ Chicago office.

David Gunning, the Chair of McDonald Hopkins’ Business Department echoed Carmel’s sentiment.

“John is an invaluable addition to our Business Department,” said David Gunning, the Chair of McDonald Hopkins Business Department. “His experience will not only strengthen our Litigation Finance Group but will also enhance our broader finance capabilities. We’re excited to have John on board as we continue to grow our department and provide exceptional service to our clients across all areas of finance.”

John will be mostly remote from his home in New Jersey, but will be working closely with McDonald Hopkins’ Chicago office.

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Harry Moran

Harry Moran

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LCM Releases Full Year Audited Results for the Year Ended 30 June 2024

By Harry Moran |

Litigation Capital Management (LCM) has released its full year audited results for the year ended 30 June 2024.

Highlights

  • Net realised gains of A$32.2m (FY23: A$51.5m), with concluded case investments generating a 2.4x multiple of cash invested (MOIC)
  • Total income of A$44.7m (FY23: A$67.7m)
  • Profit after tax for the period of A$12.7m (FY23: A$31.5m)
  • Dividend of 1.25p (FY23: 2.25p)
  • Net assets of A$188.9m (FY23: A$183.5m) with cases conservatively valued at 1.9x cash invested
  • Book value per share of 94.4 pence (FY23: 90.3 pence)
  • Total new commitments of A$279m added in the period (FY23: A$176m)
  • Fund I which comprises US$150m of external capital is fully committed and Fund II which comprises US$291m of external capital is 58% committed
  • Share buyback program is 70% complete and remains ongoing

Strategic Update

  • The Company is continuing its transition to asset management. Fund III marketing to commence towards the end of 2024 calendar year
  • Preparing a disciplined and staged entry into the US market. 
  • Acquired the intellectual property of a cutting edge legal finance Big Data/AI platform. Application of this technology to form part of US market entry and drive enhanced origination and investment diligence more broadly across the Company

Commenting on the results, Patrick Moloney, CEO of Litigation Capital Management, said: "We are pleased to have extended our industry-leading track record with successful case outcomes over the past 12 months driving our 13-year investment performance to an impressive 2.9x multiple of invested capital. Our transition from balance sheet funder to high return asset manager is progressing well, and we are looking forward to engaging with our LP investor base as we commence marketing for Fund III.

"With our London operations firmly established, having generated realisations of over £100m at a MOIC exceeding 3x, we are now strategically preparing for a disciplined and staged entry into the US market. As part of this strategic initiative, we've recently acquired the IP of a leading legal finance Big Data/AI platform. We see substantial opportunities to leverage this technology across our business in an asset class that is ideally suited for such innovation."

The full result announcement and audited results can be read here.

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Bay Point Closes $50 Million Capital Raise for Legal Investment Fund

By Harry Moran |

Bay Point Advisors LLC, an Atlanta-based investment firm with a focus in niche private markets, is proud to announce the successful close of a $50 million capital raise for Bay Point Legal Fund II. This raise demonstrates Bay Point’s commitment to providing innovative investment solutions in the litigation finance sector.

The newly raised capital will be deployed to identify, invest, and support allocations across several litigation strategies, including primary and secondary mass tort acquisition, mass arbitrations, and single event cases.

“This marks a significant milestone in our 12-year journey. Bay Point Legal Fund II advances our initial vision for the firm of offering uncorrelated investment opportunities. We are excited to leverage our team’s expertise in litigation finance to continue our growth trajectory and deliver value for our investors,” said Charles Andros, President and Chief Investment Officer at Bay Point Advisors.

Bay Point Legal has a team of experienced professionals who possess deep expertise in legal, financial, and operational aspects of litigation finance. Bay Point believes that its investment approach and extensive network enable the firm to identify and capitalize on high-value opportunities.

Sean Coleman, Managing Director of Bay Point’s Legal Finance strategy, stated, “We are excited about the closing of Bay Point Legal Fund II. We have substantial capital to make an impact in the quickly evolving litigation finance vertical. Fund II will build on the creative and diversified, equity-type, mass tort investments made in Fund I while also expanding into new investment opportunities such as hybrid torts, abuse cases, mass arbitrations and single events. The fund has the potential to provide returns uncorrelated to equity markets, while also helping deliver equitable compensation to claimants who previously had limited avenues to justice.”

About Bay Point Advisors:

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Bay Point Advisors is a privately held investment firm with a strategic focus on niche markets often underserved by traditional financial institutions. Bay Point’s broad investment criteria allows for a dynamic response to market shifts. Committed to meeting the evolving needs of clients, Bay Point specializes in the prompt delivery of tailor-made capital.

About Bay Point Legal:

Bay Point Legal is the litigation finance arm of Bay Point Advisors. Specializing in equity investments in mass torts, single events, and mass arbitrations, the fund is dedicated to providing solutions that deliver strong returns while making a positive impact on the lives of those affected by corporate negligence. The legal fund leverages extensive industry experience and a robust network to identify, invest, and manage risk-adjusted investments in litigation finance.

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Bryant Park Capital Secures $100 Million in Capital for Deminor

By Harry Moran |

Bryant Park Capital (“BPC”), announced today that Deminor Recovery Services (“Deminor”), a leading privately-owned global litigation funder, recently closed on an approximately $100,000,000 committed senior credit facility and asset-backed financing with two leading U.S. based asset managers focused on the legal assets industry.

BPC, a leading US-based middle market investment bank, served as the exclusive financial advisor to Deminor in connection with this transaction.

“Bryant Park Capital’s extensive knowledge of the financing markets, combined with their strong relationships and creative structuring capability have been invaluable and helped us complete this complex set of transactions that we believe will be transformative for our clients, employees and shareholders, reflecting how our business model and international footprint has expanded since our first external capital raise in 2021. Significantly, these investments, made on Deminor’s own balance sheet, will continue to enable Deminor to deliver fast decision-making and flexible funding terms, with final investment decisions resting with our Investment Committee. Bryant Park Capital has been an excellent partner for us and we greatly appreciate BPC’s guidance and support throughout the process,” said Erik Bomans – CEO, Deminor.

Commenting on Deminor’s platform and performance, Joel Magerman, Bryant Park Capital’s Managing Partner added, “Deminor has generated significant returns extending through multiple market cycles as a leading player in the litigation funding sector, and this capital raise will provide an opportunity to significantly expand the operating leverage of the Deminor platform internationally.

About Deminor

Founded in 1990, Deminor is a leading privately-owned global litigation funder with 9 offices across continental Europe, London, New York, and Hong Kong.

Deminor has funded cases across four continents and 22 jurisdictions spanning 18 case categories as a leader in investment recovery, anti-trust, collective consumer, and commercial tort across 25 industries.

For more information about Deminor, please visit www.deminor.com.

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