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Augusta Ventures brings in SYZ Capital’s Uncorrelated Strategies lead as new Chief Investment Officer following earlier £250m fund raising

Augusta Ventures, a specialist asset manager focussed on the litigation and disputes funding sector, has appointed SYZ Capital’s current Uncorrelated Strategies lead – Gian Kull – as its new Chief Investment Officer. The move follows Augusta’s closure of its third pool of funding in June 2021 which brought the firm’s AuM to £585m.  This enabled the firm to continue to fund an unprecedented pipeline of opportunities in high value litigation and dispute scenarios.

Gian Kull, currently based in Switzerland, managed Legal Assets platforms as a part of SYZ Capital’s Uncorrelated Strategies. He began his career at Merrill Lynch and has since focussed on investing in complex special situations and legal assets on behalf of firms including Multiplicity Partners, Brigade Capital and JANA Partners.  Gian will be based in Augusta’s London office and will report to Chief Executive Louis Young and Board Chairman Hitesh Patel.

Louis Young, Chief Executive Officer of Augusta Ventures, said: “We are delighted to attract someone with Gian’s experience to Augusta Ventures.  This comes on the back of our new £250m capital raising earlier this year as Augusta builds on its expansion in capital resources to meet the increased demand for legal related finance across all sectors and geographies. We have never seen so many strong opportunities. Gian’s investing background and wide skillset will make him a huge asset to the firm as our Chief Investment Officer.”

Gian Kull, upon welcoming his appointment to Augusta Ventures, said: “Augusta has deep expertise in the litigation funding market, and I am excited about working with the talented team at Augusta and its institutional investors to offer creative funding and risk solutions to Claimants seeking access to justice.”

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Tenadio Corp Completes $60 Million in Financing for Patent Litigation Program

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Tenadio Corp, a consulting firm specializing in advising patent owners and inventors, announced it has completed an additional $60 million in financing for the Patent Capital Funding Program (“PCF”), a litigation finance program established by Tenadio’s founding principal, Michael Ciuffo. 

Waterford Capital, Inc., a Dallas, Texas based broker-dealer, was the sole placement agent for the transaction, which was privately placed with institutional investors. 

“The PCF Program is off to a great start for 2025. We are excited to have added new partners and participants in this round of funding and are very encouraged with recent events in patent litigation that will further strengthen our clients’ positions in defending the value in their intellectual property rights,” said Michael Ciuffo. 

“The Patent Capital Funding Program continues to be a reliable funding source for patent owners, having raised approximately $315 million in patent infringement litigation financing to date. We are so grateful for the collaboration of everyone involved, which is a key to the Program’s success, and we look forward to continuing its expansion,” said Dave Piotrowski, Managing Director of Waterford Capital. 

About Tenadio Corp

Tenadio Corp utilizes decades of experience in structured finance and litigation funding to develop optimal funding structures for patent holders and infringement litigation. Tenadio works with its advisors and partners to offer a full platform of patent litigation services, including patent valuation, monetization, funding options, and lead counsel selection. Tenadio provides a thorough evaluation of each patent infringement case, creating a structure that provides an attractive investment opportunity while simultaneously monetizing proceeds associated with future infringement cases. 

About Waterford Capital

Waterford Capital, Inc. is a leading arranger of litigation finance and other structured finance and asset securitization transactions. The firm arranges capital for clients in connection with patent infringement financing, asset-backed credit facilities, private placements of asset-backed securities, and whole loan sale programs. Waterford Capital is a registered broker-dealer and member FINRA/SIPC.

Juris Capital Joins the International Legal Finance Association

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

The International Legal Finance Association (ILFA), the only global association of commercial legal finance companies, announced that Juris Capital has joined their association, adding to their rapidly growing membership base. 

Juris Capital is committed to delivering innovation solutions for financial stability for commercial litigation and arbitration along with investments in law firms through creative billing arrangements. Juris Capital’s team has over twenty years of experience investing in commercial litigation, all of their principals are licensed attorneys or certified public accountants. 

"Juris is excited to join ILFA to provide perspective from its over 15 years of operation," said David Desser, Juris Managing Director. 

"We believe the industry faces an inflection point, where the choice of policies will affect outcomes for businesses, consumers, and funders, and we will support ILFA's effort to secure sound policies in the United States and abroad." said Dane Lund, Juris Managing Director. 

Rupert Cunningham, Global Director of Growth and Membership Engagement at ILFA, commented on Juris Capital joining ILFA, saying “I’m delighted to welcome Juris Capital to ILFA’s growing ranks. Juris’ team bring with them a great deal of experience in litigation finance and we at ILFA look forward to working with David and Dane, whose expertise will be invaluable in our efforts to support and represent the legal finance sector globally.”

About the International Legal Finance Association  

The International Legal Finance Association (ILFA) represents the global commercial legal finance community, and its mission is to engage, educate and influence legislative, regulatory and judicial landscapes as the voice of the commercial legal finance industry. It is the only global association of commercial legal finance companies and is an independent, non-profit trade association promoting the highest standards of operation and service for the commercial legal finance sector. ILFA has local chapter representation around the world. 

For more information, visit www.ilfa.com and find us on LinkedIn and X @ILFA_Official.

Legal-Bay Pre-Settlement Funding to Begin Funding Hawaii Wildfire Claims After Major Supreme Court Decision

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Legal-Bay, the Pre Settlement Funding Company, announces today that they are committed to funding their clients in Hawaii who are dealing with wildfire claims. In light of the Aloha state's Supreme Court ruling last week, a previously stagnant $4 billion settlement has now been allowed to proceed, providing financial assistance to numerous displaced Hawaiians still dealing with the after-effects of the deadly inferno.

The 2023 Lahaina wildfire on the island of Maui was the most devastating United States fire in over a century. It killed over 100 people and turned entire towns into ash. Thousands of lawsuits against those responsible for the blaze--including Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, the state of Hawaii, and Maui County—soon followed. While the $4 billion offer doesn't come close to covering the $5 billion in property damage—not to mention the incalculable loss of life—attorneys accepted the offer amidst rumblings that the main defendant, Hawaiian Electric, might declare bankruptcy.

Between homeowners, renters, and businesses, insurance companies have already paid out $1.5 billion to victims and are expected to pay out close to $1 billion more. Monday's ruling is a good way for insurance companies to receive reimbursement as well as victims to receive future payouts, paving the way for all parties to move forward with their claims. The case is scheduled to be sent back to a Maui judge to determine what comes next.

Chris Janish, CEO of Legal-Bay, commented, "My personal connection to Lahaina and its residents makes seeing the devastation that much harder. We are committed to immediately funding wrongful death wildfire cases in large funding amounts for those families that need it. And we will be assisting renters who are displaced by getting cash advances to help them until a final settlement comes.  Our experience in California wildfire cases enables our underwriting team and staff to process approvals quickly for renters, homeowners, and commercial claims."

If you are a lawyer or plaintiff involved in an active wildfire lawsuit and need an immediate cash advance settlement loan against an impending lawsuit settlement, please visit Legal-Bay HERE or call toll-free at 877.571.0405.

Legal Bay has a long history dealing with wildfire lawsuits, as they've been a leader in almost every case over the past seven years. They were one of the first companies to fund PG&E plaintiffs during the California Camp Fire lawsuits back in 2018, and they've remained involved throughout every wildfire and natural disaster since. They are dedicated to supporting their clients in need of financial assistance, specifically those that are dealing with the aftermath of natural wild fire disasters in places like Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and California.

Numerous renters, homeowners, and business owners have been temporarily displaced, or seen their homes and companies destroyed altogether. Amidst the devastation and uncertainty, people who have been affected by tragedy need help and they need it now. In these circumstances, legal funding—sometimes referred to as "lawsuit loans" or "settlement loans"—can be immensely beneficial. Legal-Bay is leading the charge to provide loans for settlements to affected residents as soon as possible.

As a leading lawsuit funding provider, Legal-Bay knows that relocation efforts can cost their clients money they don't have. Some are looking into loan settlement options in order to fund basic living expenses while they get their lives back on track. A loan for settlement can also help bridge the gap of time it will take to receive that eventual check from the insurance company. Legal-Bay is proud of the numerous funding they've provided for their current crop of clients along with providing a multitude of loan on lawsuit options for any future financial needs.

If you're the plaintiff in an existing wildfire lawsuit and need an immediate advance against your anticipated cash settlement award, you can apply HERE or call: 877.571.0405

Legal-Bay lawsuit funding remains vigilant in helping clients who have seen their homes and properties damaged by recent events. Additionally, any new clients that have an existing lawsuit and need cash now can apply for regular settlement funding to help them get through their own crises. Legal-Bay funds all types of loans for lawsuits including personal injury, slips and falls, car accident lawsuit, property damage, commercial litigation, and more.

Legal-Bay is one of the best lawsuit loan companies when it comes to providing immediate cash in advance of a plaintiff's anticipated monetary award. The non-recourse law suit loans—sometimes referred to as loans for lawsuit or loans on settlement—are risk-free, as the money doesn't need to be repaid should the recipient lose their case. Therefore, the lawsuit loan funds aren't really a loan, but rather a cash advance.

To apply right now, please visit the company's website HERE or call toll-free at: 877.571.0405 where agents are standing by.