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Why is There an Assault on the Poorest Amongst Us?

This article was contributed by Eric Schuller, President of the Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding (ARC).

“Millions of Americans Are Just 1 Paycheck Away From ‘Financial Disaster’” was the title in a recent story in Barron’s. The article stated that 51% of working adults in the US would need to access savings to cover necessities if they missed more than one paycheck. That is the equivalent of over 78.2 million Americans.

The story went on to state that “roughly two-thirds of households earning less than $30,000 annually and Hispanic households would not be able to cover basic living expenses.” That is the equivalent of over 101.2 million Americans.

Consumer Legal Funding is a vital resource for those very Americans. Funding allows the 101.2 million Americans who cannot cover basic living expenses to bridge that gap while their legal claims make their way through the system. With some cases taking several months – if not years – to settle, these Americans need help today. Consumer Legal Funding allows them to pay their mortgages, put food on their tables and keep a roof over their heads while the Insurance industry slow-walks their legal claims.

Perhaps the most chilling revelation here is that the Insurance industry, led by the US Chamber of Commerce, supported legislation to eliminate Consumer Legal Funding in two of the top-10 poorest states in the country: first in Arkansas, where 15.4% of the population lives in poverty, and just last week in West Virginia, where the poverty rate is 17.7%. What is even more striking, is that those are two of the top-10 hungriest states in the US. In West Virginia, 14.9% of the population goes hungry, and in Arkansas the rate is 17.4%. The elimination of Consumer Legal Funding in these two states was implemented merely to increase Insurance industry profits, and force consumers to accept lowball offers (as an aside: State Farm ended 2018 with a net worth of over $100 Billion).

Thanks to the latest legislation that went into effect on June 5, 2019 in West Virginia, residents who need Consumer Legal Funding assistance will no longer be able to access it. Take for example, Patressa from Barboursville, WV, who said: “I am completely broke financially due to a car accident. I have medical needs and doctor appointments that I need to go to.” Now Patressa is among the 1.8 million residents of West Virginia who no longer have access to alternative funds while their cases are pending in the legal system. As a result, Patressa will be forced to accept an offer for less than what she deserves.

One of the most heartbreaking responses to the recent legislation comes from Victoria of Clarksburg, WV, who stated quite candidly that she “needed the money so I could have a place to live.” Who can the 4.8 million Patressa’s and Victoria’s of West Virginia and Arkansas turn to for help? How will they meet their medical needs? How will they find a place to live?

Eric Schuller
President
Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding (ARC)

Consumer

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Announcements Consumer

Golden Pear Upsizes Corporate Note to $78.7M Amid Growth Plans

By John Freund |

Golden Pear Funding has extended and upsized its investment-grade corporate note to $78.7 million, further bolstering the firm's capacity to serve the expanding litigation finance sector. The New York-based funder, a national leader in both pre-settlement and medical receivables financing, said the proceeds will support working capital and fuel strategic growth initiatives.

A press release from Golden Pear outlines how the capital raise reflects continued investor confidence in the firm’s business model. CEO Gary Amos noted that the infusion is critical as Golden Pear seeks to scale alongside the “rapidly expanding litigation finance market.” CFO Daniel Amsellem added that the new funding aligns with the company’s capital allocation strategy, aimed at optimizing operational efficiency and executing strategic projects.

Brean Capital, LLC acted as the exclusive financial advisor and sole placement agent on the transaction.

Founded in 2008, Golden Pear has funded more than $1.1 billion to over 87,000 clients and remains one of the largest specialty finance companies in the U.S. Its business model spans legal case funding and medical receivables purchasing, with backing from a network of private equity partners that provide institutional support for continued expansion.

Comercial Consumer

Mayfair Legal Launches Wildfire Support Program for Plaintiffs

By John Freund |

Mayfair Legal Funding has unveiled a new initiative aimed at aiding wildfire victims in Los Angeles and Maui by providing pre-settlement advances tailored to individuals pursuing legal claims related to recent wildfire disasters. The program seeks to ease the financial burden on plaintiffs during the lengthy litigation process, allowing them to cover essential living expenses and medical costs without being forced into early or inadequate settlements.

An article in OpenPR reports that Mayfair’s program will provide wildfire-impacted claimants with cash advances while their cases proceed through court or settlement negotiations. The funding is non-recourse, meaning recipients are only obligated to repay the advance if their case is successful. This offering is particularly timely in light of the mounting legal battles related to utility-sparked wildfires in California and the catastrophic 2023 fires in Maui, both of which have left thousands seeking legal recourse and financial recovery.

Mayfair emphasized that this initiative aligns with its mission to ensure access to justice regardless of a claimant’s financial status. “We believe that no one should have to choose between basic survival and pursuing a rightful claim,” said a spokesperson for the funder, noting that the company’s underwriting process is designed for speed and minimal paperwork.

With natural disasters on the rise and litigation timelines stretching longer than ever, targeted pre-settlement funding like this may become an increasingly vital tool for plaintiffs. The wildfire-specific program from Mayfair underscores a growing trend of funders developing specialized products for mass torts and disaster-related litigation—an area likely to see heightened investor and regulatory attention in the years ahead.

Announcements Consumer

New Express Legal Funding Portal and App Give Injury Plaintiffs Faster Access to Lawsuit Cash Advances

By Harry Moran |

The below is a sponsored post from Express Legal Funding.

Express Legal Funding, a leader in the pre-settlement funding industry, has officially launched the Express Legal Funding Portal and mobile app suite—now available on iOS, Android, and web. The innovative platform gives plaintiffs real-time access to their funding application status, document uploads, and direct case communication—all from a secure, user-friendly interface.

Since launch, the platform has already seen over 200 app installs across iOS and Android, reflecting strong early adoption and client demand for greater transparency, speed, and convenience in the legal funding process.

"This is the kind of digital leap our industry needed," said Aaron Winston, Phd, Strategy Director at Express Legal Funding. "With the Express Legal Funding Portal, clients no longer have to wait days for updates or navigate confusing paperwork. Now they can check their status, send documents, and message us—all in one place, and on their own time, anytime 24,7. Ray Bivona, our Operations Manager, did a great job building out the platform."

Meeting the Demand for Speed, Simplicity, and Security

The Express Legal Funding Portal and apps are designed to meet the evolving expectations of legal consumers, as reports indicate the industry has surpassed $1 billion in annual advances nationwide. Key features include:

  • Live Case Status Tracking: Monitor the full legal funding timeline in real time
  • Secure Document Uploads: Send attorney correspondence and case files instantly
  • In-App Messaging: Communicate directly with case managers—no long hold times or email delays
  • Push Notifications: Get instant alerts for updates, requests, and approvals
  • Funding Calculator: Estimate pre-settlement cash eligibility based on case type
  • Bank-Level Encryption: Ensures client privacy and legal compliance at every step

"Clients tell us this is the best communication experience they've had with a legal funding company," said Shawn Hashmi, Chief Executive Officer at Express Legal Funding. "The high number of downloads in such a short time proves there's a real demand for this kind of tool."

Transforming the Legal Funding Experience for Plaintiffs and Attorneys

The Express Legal Funding Portal improves operational efficiency and transparency on both sides of the process:

  • For Plaintiffs: Offers peace of mind and greater control during a financially vulnerable time
  • For Attorneys: Reduces administrative back-and-forth, freeing up time to focus on litigation

About Express Legal Funding

Express Legal Funding is a trusted national provider of non-recourse pre-settlement funding, helping plaintiffs access fast, risk-free financial relief while their lawsuits move through the legal system. Repayment is only required if the client wins or settles their case.

The company has served thousands of injured plaintiffs in cases involving car accidents, slip and falls, product liability, and more.

What's Coming Next

In addition to the current features, the platform aims to expand in the coming months with:

  • Attorney Dashboard: Real-time access for law firms to manage client funding
  • In-App Renewals: Easy follow-up funding requests for returning clients
  • Case Management Integrations: Compatibility with popular personal injury law firm software platforms like Clio, Filevine, and SmartAdvocate