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Legal-Bay Pre-Settlement Funding Company Renews Focus on FELA and Railroad Cases in Light of Newly-filed Wrongful Death Lawsuits Against Norfolk Southern Railroad

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Legal-Bay, the premier Pre Settlement Funding Company, announces today that they are expanding their FELA and railroad injury claims department due to an increase in railway worker personal injury claims and the recent wrongful death lawsuit filed against Norfolk Southern Railroad.

The Norfolk case was filed earlier this month on the second anniversary of the tragic East Palestine, Ohio train derailment and subsequent toxic spill where plaintiffs claim multiple lingering health issues, including seven deaths. The lawsuit also levels accusations against the EPA and CDC, alleging that neither organization carried out a proper cleanup, nor warned residents about the potential health risks, elevating fears that their sudden mysterious illnesses could progress into something more serious.

Train derailments are only one of many reasons railroad lawsuits are filed. Everyday commuters can be victims of criminal violence on subways, or be injured due to improperly maintained train cars or railway stations. Plaintiffs will normally file negligence suits against the rail line and even the city itself for failing to keep their passengers safe.

If you are a plaintiff in any type of active railroad injury litigation and need an immediate cash advance lawsuit loan against an impending lawsuit settlement, please visit Legal-Bay HERE or call toll-free at 877.571.0405.

Chris Janish, CEO, commented, "Our funding on FELA cases this year is up over 100%. Legal-Bay is putting a large focus on train accidents in light of recent national headlines. We have always been a leader in FELA cases because of our expertise and our ability to provide ample capital for the long haul on these cases."

In addition to passenger lawsuits, there has also been an increase in FELA funding requests from railway employees within recent months. Legal Bay has even launched a new website specifically built for railroad FELA claims and railroad workers. The lawsuit funding company also secured more capital for railroad workers and employees covered under the FELA Act of 1908, which provides financial relief for railroad employees seeking workers compensation for an injury sustained on the job or in the yard.

If you are (or were) a railroad worker who has filed a lawsuit because of injuries you've suffered due to no fault of your own, or if you were injured due to negligence of your rail company or supervisor, or if you were hurt on the job because of faulty equipment or unsafe working conditions, then you may qualify for legal funding.

If you are a plaintiff or attorney involved in an active FELA railroad injury lawsuit and need an immediate cash advance lawsuit loan against an impending settlement, please visit our specialized FELA website HERE or call toll-free at 877.571.0405.

While railway workers need to take a few extra steps, most everyday victims of railroad injuries can file personal injury lawsuits. Damages in railroad injury cases are in line with other personal injury settlement awards such as reimbursement for lost earnings, medical expenses, and physical as well as mental pain and suffering.

Legal-Bay has been funding train accidents for the last 15 years and focuses much of their attention to certain cities and states: New York, NY; Newark, New Jersey; Boston, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, PA; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, GA; Nashville, TN; Chicago, IL; and Los Angeles, CA to name a few. 

They are often referred to as one of the best lawsuit loan companies out there and the best lawsuit funding provider for railroad workers, in part because the lawsuit settlement loan company offers the quickest approvals and lowest rates industry wide. Contact Legal-Bay today or visit our specialized FELA website HERE to find out why we are considered the top lawsuit money lender around.

Legal-Bay advocates for victims of railroad injuries, but they provide settlement loan funding for all types of cases including personal injury, dog bites, slip and falls, car accidents, boat accidents, motorcycle accidents, bike accidents, truck accidents, and more.

Legal-Bay provides some of the best rates and fastest approvals in the industry, less than 24-48 hours in some cases. They offer free lawsuit evaluation on your settlement amount or case value, along with no out-of-pocket expenses or upfront costs. Their settlement funding loans have helped numerous plaintiffs by providing immediate cash in advance of a lawsuit'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 loans aren't really a loan, but rather a cash advance.

To learn more about Legal-Bay's funding for FELA claims, railroad worker, railway passenger personal injury lawsuits, railroad lawsuit loans, rail worker personal injury pre settlement funding, railroad employees personal injury settlement loans, or railroad worker personal injury lawsuit loan funds, please visit the company's website HERE to apply right now or call toll-free at: 877.571.0405 where friendly and helpful agents are standing by to answer your questions.

CAT Hearing for £200m Mastercard Settlement Highlights Divide Between Funder and Class Representative

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Whilst the successes of collective proceedings supported by litigation funders are regularly highlighted by the legal funding industry, an ongoing dispute at the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) between a class representative and funder over a proposed settlement shows that it is not always a relationship in which both parties see eye to eye.

An article in The Law Society Gazette provides a summary of the ongoing hearing at the CAT, as the tribunal hears arguments as to whether the £200 million settlement in the Mastercard hearing should be approved or not. The hearing, which is scheduled to last until the end of the week, saw counsel for the claimant, defendant and funder each offer their arguments on whether the judges should proceed with the collective settlement approval order (CSAO).

Mark Brealey KC, counsel for class representative Walter Merricks CBE, stated that it was the position of both Merricks and Mastercard that the value of the settlement was “in a range that was fair and reasonable.” Responding to the intervention of Innsworth Capital, the litigation funder opposing the settlement, Brealey argued that “the funder should be respectful of the way that Mr Merricks has conducted the proceedings”.

Charles Bear KC, representing Innsworth as the intervener, highlighted the cost of the funder’s support for the case and argued that approval would mean that “the class does not get a fair return on this settlement on any view of distribution.” Bear went further and emphatically stated that Innsworth’s view is that “it is completely clear the settlement prescribes zero value to the case, not little value, but nothing.”

Sonia Tolaney KC, counsel for Mastercard, suggested that it was the views of the class representative and defendant that should hold the most weight, arguing that “There is no doubt that in this case the parties themselves are best placed to assess the merits [of the settlement].” Tolaney also targeted Innsworth’s questioning of whether the £200 million settlement was the best possible outcome for the class representative, declaring that in Mastercard’s view, “that is the wrong question.”

BNP Paribas’ Securities Services Business Adopts Broadridge’s Global Class Action Solution to Maximize its Clients’ Global Asset Recovery Opportunities

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

BNP Paribas’ Securities Services business, a leading global custodian with USD 13.7 trillion under custody, has partnered with global Fintech leader, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) to expand its global custody services, appointing Broadridge as service provider for its global securities class action services.

“As the Securities Services business of BNP Paribas, we are committed to delivering innovative and differentiating products and services to our clients. Broadridge brings advanced technology, market-leading information security and deep industry expertise that align with our goals, enhancing our clients’ experience and supporting their business,” said Christian Houillon, Head of Custody Product for Securities Services at BNP Paribas. “We will be able to harness Broadridge’s proprietary technology to identify, file and recover investment losses, alongside their extensive industry expertise.”

Broadridge provides a comprehensive, proprietary technology solution for global class action services that will help clients identify and act on asset recovery opportunities. This includes a seamless process for identifying, filing, and recovering investment losses, backed by Broadridge's industry expertise.

“As the volume of securities class actions continues to rise, it’s crucial for the clients of BNP Paribas’ Securities Services business and other global financial institutions to leverage all available asset recovery opportunities,” said Steve Cirami, Vice President, Head of Corporate Actions & Class Actions at Broadridge. “Broadridge’s solutions will enable the clients of BNP Paribas’ Securities Services business to obtain all required information to support their decisions on claim recoveries, facilitate investor participation in settlements and support key business functions, delivering a seamless and impactful client experience.”

Investors have more recovery opportunities than ever before as the class action landscape continues to expand globally with more than 35 jurisdictions around the world adopting collective redress mechanisms for shareholders. In 2024 alone, there were more than 125 recovery opportunities and $5.2 billion in settlements. The ability to monitor all opportunities globally requires leading edge technology and expertise, particularly in jurisdictions where considerations of litigation can be complex to navigate.

Broadridge’s dedicated global class action services team comprises deeply knowledgeable and experienced securities litigators, claims administrators, claims auditors and data specialists, equipped to provide clients with unmatched end-to-end services, portfolio monitoring and claims filing and registering processes in global jurisdictions. Learn more about the team here.

About Securities Services at BNP Paribas (securities.cib.bnpparibas)

BNP Paribas’ Securities Services business is a leading global custodian providing multi-asset post-trade and asset servicing solutions to buy-side and sell-side market participants, corporates and issuers. With a global reach covering 90+ markets, its custody network is one of the most extensive in the industry, enabling clients to maximise their investment opportunities worldwide. As a pillar of BNP Paribas’ diversified banking model, Securities Services provides asset servicing solutions that are closely integrated with the first-class services of the Group’s other business lines, in particular those of Global Banking and Global Markets.

As of 31 December 2024, Securities Services had USD 13.7 trillion in assets under custody and USD 2.8 trillion in assets under administration.

About Broadridge

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR) is a global technology leader with the trusted expertise and transformative technology to help clients and the financial services industry operate, innovate, and grow. We power investing, governance, and communications for our clients – driving operational resiliency, elevating business performance, and transforming investor experiences. 

Our technology and operations platforms process and generate over 7 billion communications per year and underpin the daily trading of more than $10 trillion of securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work®, Broadridge is part of the S&P 500® Index, employing over 14,000 associates in 21 countries.

For more information about us, please visit www.broadridge.com.

Community Spotlights

Community Spotlight: Craig Geraghty, Legal Director, O’Connors Legal Services

By John Freund and 4 others |

Craig is a highly experienced corporate lawyer and Head of Corporate at O'Connors. His expertise covers a broad range of high-value transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity deals, business reorganisations and restructurings, joint ventures, corporate governance, and regulatory matters. He also has significant experience of advising law firms on litigation funding arrangements.

Craig joined O'Connors from global law firm Bedell Cristin where he handled significant offshore transactional work in their Jersey office. Craig’s offshore experience is a valuable asset, particularly for O'Connors investment fund and insurance practices, while his expertise in litigation funding is a key asset for the firm's legal sector clients.

Company Name and Description: O’Connors Legal Services Limited (which trades as O’Connors). O'Connors is a nationally recognised firm of business lawyers and advisers. Although business sector agnostic, the firm has particular expertise in supporting legal businesses, including law firms, barristers' chambers and claims management companies. Its unique blend of corporate, commercial, insurance, and regulatory legal expertise and unparalleled sector knowledge delivers strategic support and innovative solutions to help legal businesses navigate the legal landscape, manage risk and capitalise on market opportunities.

Website: https://www.oconnors.law

Founded: 2003

Headquarters: Liverpool - additional office in London

Area of Focus: Corporate, Commercial, Commercial Insurance, Litigation Funding, Financial Services and Legal Services Regulation

Member Quote: “We are known as the law firm for law firms and our deep understanding of the legal regulatory landscape means we are perfectly placed to assist law firms in accessing the resources they need to pursue justice through litigation funding.”

How WFH Communication is Impacting Law Firms and Legal Funders

By Kris Altiere and 4 others |

The following article was contributed by Kris Altiere, US Head of Marketing for Moneypenny.

The boundaries between professional and personal life have blurred, largely due to technology and the pandemic, which forced firms to be available 24/7. Since COVID, the number of clients and prospects engaging with businesses at all hours has surged, driven by the adoption of tools like live chat—which, at one point, accounted for 37% of interactions outside traditional 9-to-5 hours. In fact, a Moneypenny study conducted with Censuswide, surveying over 2,000 U.S. consumers, found that 58% of respondents now accept work-related communications outside regular hours. But is this shift a good thing?

Law firms should consider the communication training they give across all situations – how many work calls have been taken in the car, texts responded to at a soccer practice, or emails replied to quickly while at the doctor? Adjusting a firm’s contact channels should include recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of different forms of communication, and thinking about what’s best for clients and the team.

For firms, the “always on” employee presents some potential challenges, starting with the impact on the mental health of someone pressured to forever be on alert for a client or new business. It also can present vulnerabilities – Moneypenny’s research revealed 59% of respondents admitted to commonly sending texts and emails to the wrong person. Or, there is the liability of a stretched team responding to a client with a typo or incorrect information, feeling pressured to get right back and not taken time for a measured response. Along with an increased margin of error, digital communication can lack the emotion of a conversation, or may not appeal as a form of connection from a generational perspective.

Moneypenny looked into the popularity of different forms of work communications. Emails were number one at 49%, followed by the phone at 39%, text messaging at 35%, instant messaging such as Teams or Slack at 19%, and video conferencing like Zoom at 18%. Choices were particular to generations – emailing is the preferred choice for 56% of Baby Boomers and 54% of Gen X, while only 28% of Gen Z prefer it. Instant messaging was a more popular form of work communication for Gen Z (25%), but was chosen by only 16% of Gen X and 13% of Baby Boomers.

Moneypenny encourages firms of all sizes to establish clear communication guidelines that best serve all of their constituents – their teams, their prospects, and their clients. After four years of being on call around the clock, teams are tired. If a firm can have the burden of the 2 a.m. call or chat placed in the hands of a capable and trained legal receptionist like Moneypenny’s, they can ensure it’s not just fielded, but fielded well, and their team undisturbed.

Setting healthy business-life boundaries is a lofty goal that firms should consider setting this year – making themselves a little more unavailable to make themself more available. Fielding a call late at night or during a mad rush does a disservice by potentially inhibiting work flow, mental health, quality and integrity of the work. In what seems like an increasingly scattered world, reclaiming focus by letting someone else “get the phone” could just be revolutionary.

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Kris Altiere is US Head of Marketing at MoneypennyMoneypenny’s unique blend of brilliant people and AI technology integrate seamlessly to deliver customer conversations that unlock valuable opportunities for law firms, 24/7.

Kris is passionate about combining creativity and data-driven approaches to deliver impactful campaigns. A natural leader and mentor, she thrives on empowering teams, fostering collaboration, and ensuring Moneypenny’s solutions help firms stay ahead in an ever-evolving market.

Bench Walk Advisors Named Litigation Funder of the Year at Chambers UK Awards

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

As LFJ covered last month, the new year is not only a time for firms to look ahead to their plans for next 12 months, it is also a time where the work and achievements of industry leaders from the previous year is celebrated.

Last week, the inaugural Chambers UK Awards were held in London with an opportunity to recognise the country’s top legal professionals, with awards handed out across a wide array of categories. When it came to legal funding, Chambers assembled a shortlist of five funders which was whittled down to just one, with Bench Walk Advisors named as Litigation Funder of the Year.

Chambers provided the following explanation for selecting Bench Walk as the winner in this category: “Bench Walk has consistently ranked as a top litigation funder in the UK. It wins praise for its boutique, director-led approach and for its ability to fund complex cases with a high degree of responsiveness and transparency. This year, the team has continued to work on a diverse portfolio of group actions, including Professor Carolyn Roberts’ opt-out CAT claim against water utility companies and an action against Google relating to the Google Play Store, as well as portfolio funding deals and law firm financing.”

Chambers have many more awards evenings planned in the coming months, with the Europe Awards scheduled to be held on May 29 in Madrid.

Bertrand Beauchesne Appointed Group Finance Director at Deminor

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Deminor announced that Bertrand Beauchesne has been appointed as Group Finance Director, bringing over 20 years of experience in financial management and strategic planning across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. 

Prior to joining Deminor, Beauchesne spent over eight years at Dorier Group in Singapore, having served as the company’s Group Finance Director and Board Director, co-ordinating and supporting all operations in South East Asia and Japan. His impressive career also includes six years at MCI Group overseeing strategy and regional coordination for APAC, 16 months at The Stakeholder Company as Finance Director, and over four years as Finance Director for the Remote Site Division at ADEN Group

Beauchesne expressed his enthusiasm at taking on the new role at Deminor, saying: “I am excited to join Deminor and look forward to contributing to the company's continued success by leveraging my experience in financial management and strategic planning. Deminor’s dedication to excellence and innovation aligns with my professional philosophy, and I look forward to driving our financial and strategic goals.”

Deminor’s CEO, Erik Bomans also provided the following comment on Beauchesne’s appointment: "We are delighted to welcome Bertrand Beauchesne as our new Group Finance Director. Bertrand's appointment reflects our commitment to further strengthen Deminor's financial governance and operational capabilities. His proven track record in financial leadership and strategic planning makes him an excellent addition to our team as we continue to expand our global presence."

Litigation Lending Appoints Leo Argy and Maximilian Heffernan as Investment Managers

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

In a series of posts, Litigation Lending announced the new appointments of Leo Argy and Maximilian Heffernan, who are both joining the funder as Investment Managers.

Argy brings over 25 years’ experience in the legal sector to his new role at Litigation Lending, having begun his career as a solicitor in 1997, going on to become the Managing Solicitor-Director at Argy & Associates Lawyers between 2001 and 2021. Argy joins Litigation Lending having most recently served as Manager of Litigation and Recoveries at Hollard Insurance Australia for the past three years. 

Heffernan also boasts an impressive career in the legal sector, both in the public and private sector, having started as a paralegal at Clayton Utz before serving as an Associate at the Federal Court of Australia. Since then, Heffernan has worked as a solicitor at Hicksons Lawyers, and most recently spent nearly six years as a Senior Lawyer at Australian Government Solicitor in the Civil Claims team.

Community Spotlights

Community Spotlight: Dane Lund, Managing Director, Juris Capital

By John Freund and 4 others |

Dane Lund has built a career at the intersection of law and finance, bringing a distinctive blend of legal acumen and financial expertise to the evolving world of litigation funding. He began his professional journey after graduating from Harvard Law School as a litigation associate at Willkie Farr & Gallagher in 2012, where he gained firsthand experience navigating complex commercial disputes and understanding the strategic nuances that drive legal outcomes.

Eager to broaden his perspective, Dane transitioned into investment banking, joining the Financial Sponsors Group at Barclays. There, he developed a rigorous foundation in evaluating risk, structuring deals, and analyzing the dynamics of capital markets—skills that would later prove invaluable in the realm of legal finance.

Following his time at Barclays, Dane pursued investment roles focused on equities, private debt, and legal finance, deepening his expertise across both traditional and alternative asset classes. This diverse background positioned him perfectly for the litigation finance space, where legal strategy and capital management intersect. In 2024, he joined Juris Capital as Managing Director, where he helps shape the firm’s approach to funding commercial litigation.

At the core of Dane’s investment philosophy is a simple yet powerful belief: “Patient capital wins.”

For Dane, this isn’t just a tagline—it’s the guiding principle. Litigation is inherently unpredictable, often requiring strategic persistence and disciplined, long-term thinking to achieve the best outcomes. In an industry where quick returns are rare, Dane emphasizes that success comes from having the foresight to invest thoughtfully and the patience to see cases through to their full potential.

“We’re experiencing a sea change in how law is practiced,” says Dane. “Legal finance isn’t just a funding mechanism—it’s a catalyst for innovation within the legal sector.”

Company Name and Description: Juris Capital provides funding for commercial litigation claims. The firm collaborates with businesses and law firms to support the financial aspects of pursuing complex legal matters. Dane notes that Juris’s approach is shaped by its understanding of legal processes and the financial considerations involved in managing long-term investments. Its focus spans a variety of case types, including breach of contract disputes, corporate governance issues, and antitrust matters.

Website: https://www.juriscapitalcorp.com/

Founded: 2009

Headquarters: Chicago

Member Quote: “Legal finance is expanding beyond traditional litigation into areas like legal tech, contingent risk management, and law firm operations. It’s not just about funding cases anymore—it’s about unlocking value in legal assets that were previously considered illiquid or inaccessible. That’s where the future lies.”

Burford CEO Condemns UK Government’s ‘Failure to Act’ on PACCAR

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

As LFJ reported last week, the Court of Appeal has decided to hear arguments over the validity of litigation funding agreements that use a multiple of the sum invested. As we suggested, this decision has emboldened funders who are dismayed at the government’s delays in enacting a legislative fix for PACCAR.

In a piece for the Financial Times, Christopher Bogart, co-founder and chief executive of Burford Capital, takes aim at the UK government’s “failure to act” in providing a solution for the litigation funding industry following the Supreme Court’s PACCAR ruling. Bogart argues that whilst the Prime Minister has repeatedly spoken about the need for the country to attract investment, the delay in acting on this issue “threatens to create an environment in which businesses and their money leave the UK to the detriment of the economy and workforce.”

In what is perhaps the most startling admission, and a thinly veiled challenge to the government, Bogart states that Burford “is reconsidering whether London is a preferred dispute resolution centre.” Whilst this appears to be a warning of what could occur, Bogart reports that “the lingering uncertainty and the government’s silence has caused the company to begin migrating some dispute resolution activity away from London.”

In his explanation of the challenges the UK funding market faces, Bogart highlights the industry trends post-PACCAR and points out that there has been a 75 per cent decrease in funding activity in the UK since the Supreme Court’s ruling. Burford’s CEO also points to the 23 per cent drop in group claims in 2024, which he attributes to the “uncertainty in the market.”

Without naming the specific cases, Bogart appears to reference the recent move by “opportunistic defendants” to challenge certain litigation funding agreements in class actions. Urging the government to provide a legislative solution sooner rather than later, Bogart argues that the alternative is a situation where the UK will face growing competition from abroad as “funders will look elsewhere to less risky options.”

Indian Government Minister: No Plans for Regulation of Litigation Funding

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Outside of the prime litigation funding markets of the US, UK and Australia, developments from burgeoning markets are often few and far between. However, a new ministerial statement from the Indian government suggests that India has the potential to be a significant growth market for legal funding.

An article in Bar and Bench provides a useful insight into the litigation funding landscape in India, as it highlights a recent statement by a government minister that indicates there are currently no plans to implement new regulations governing third-party funding. 

Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State of the Ministry of Law & Justice, was responding to a parliamentary question about the issue of legal funding and said:

“At present, there is no proposal under consideration of the Government for establishment of a legal and regulatory framework to facilitate Third Party Funding of litigation in the country and further, no examination of the potential of Third Party Litigation Funding as a means to address high litigation costs and pendency of cases has been carried out by the Government.”

As the Bar and Bench article notes, this is yet another encouraging sign for the Indian litigation funding industry which has been growing since a 2018 Supreme Court decision recognised the validity of third-party litigation funding. 

Omni Bridgeway Funding New Zealand Class Action Against Johnson & Johnson

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

For consumers who were unwittingly deceived by falsely advertised products, a well-funded class action remains one of the few options available for these individuals to seek justice and compensation.

Reporting by The Post covers a new class action filed in the High Court of New Zealand, which is being brought against Johnson & Johnson over the alleged sale of ineffective cold and flu medications. The lawsuit alleges that Johnson & Johnson manufactured cold and flu products containing Penylephrine, which some medical studies have found is not an effective oral treatment for nasal congestion. Eligibility for the class action includes consumers in New Zealand who purchased one of the 17 identified Codral, Sudafed or Benadryl branded products between 2005 and 2025.

The class action has been brought by Australian law firm JGA Saddler, with litigation funding provided by Omni Bridgeway. This is the second such lawsuit brought against Johnson & Johnson by this team, with JGA and Omni having worked together to bring a similar class action against the pharmaceutical giant in 2024.

Rebecca Jancauskas, director at JGA Saddler, argues that “Johnson & Johnson has misled the public and they need to be held accountable for their actions.” Furthermore, Jancauskas suggests that there may be a larger pool of affected customers in New Zealand than Australia, explaining that between 2011 and 2024 “there was no other alternative for consumers in New Zealand suffering from sinus symptoms or allergy symptoms or cold and flu symptoms.”

Additional information on the class action can be found on Omni Bridgeway’s website.

Victory Park Capital Expands Legal Credit Team, Welcomes Hugo Lestiboudois as Principal

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Victory Park Capital (“VPC”), a global alternative investment firm specializing in private credit, today announced that Hugo Lestiboudois has joined the firm as Principal. Mr. Lestiboudois, who brings over 10 years of experience in developing and operating legal finance strategies, will work alongside Richard Levy, VPC CEO, CIO & Founder, and Chad Clamage, Managing Director, to advance the firm’s legal credit strategy.

“We welcome Hugo to the firm with great excitement,” said Levy. “I am confident that his experience will help us unlock further momentum in the rapidly expanding market for legal investing and address the growing demand for innovative funding solutions.”

VPC’s legal credit team, comprised of veteran litigators, legal finance investors, and seasoned private credit professionals, takes an asset-backed lending approach to the legal asset class, emphasizing downside protection and current income streams. With its deep expertise and extensive industry relationships, VPC is well-positioned to capitalize on market inefficiencies and pursue opportunities across the full spectrum of legal asset types and structures.

“I am thrilled to join the VPC team and help further scale the legal credit strategy,” Lestiboudois said. “With a highly diversified portfolio of asset-backed legal assets and robust risk management controls, VPC’s disciplined and innovative approach creates resilience against market volatility and enables us to excel in the legal credit market.”

Previously, Mr. Lestiboudois was a principal at Syz Capital where he oversaw the firm’s legal finance strategies. Prior to that, Mr. Lestiboudois led the Illiquid Investments Desk at IVO Capital Partners where he focused on European distressed and structured credit transactions. Earlier in his career, Mr. Lestiboudois focused on asset-backed financing in his role at AgFe and held analyst positions at Capital Management and BlackRock.

About Victory Park Capital

Victory Park Capital Advisors, LLC (“VPC” or the “Firm”) is a global alternative asset manager that specializes in private asset-backed credit. In addition, the Firm offers comprehensive structured financing and capital markets solutions through its affiliate platform, Triumph Capital Markets. The Firm was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Chicago. In 2024, VPC became a majority-owned affiliate of Janus Henderson Group. The Firm leverages the broader resources of Janus Henderson’s 2,000+ employees across offices in 24 cities worldwide. VPC is a Registered Investment Advisor with the SEC. For more information, please visit www.victoryparkcapital.com.

Community Spotlights

Community Spotlight: Burke McDavid, Co-Chair of the Investment Management & Private Funds Industry Group, Winstead PC

By John Freund and 4 others |

Burke McDavid is a seasoned attorney with a comprehensive understanding of investment management, compliance and corporate law. With more than two decades of experience, he brings a wealth of experience in both private practice as well as overseeing legal and compliance matters as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for a registered investment adviser managing funds focused on litigation funding.

Company Name and Description: Winstead is a leading Texas-based law firm with national practices serving clients across the country. We focus on exceeding our clients’ expectations by providing innovative solutions to their business and legal opportunities and challenges. We work as a trusted counsel to public and private companies, governments, individuals, universities, and public institutions.

Our business, transactions, and litigation practices serve key industries, including real estate, financial services, investment management and private funds, higher education and P3, airlines, healthcare and life sciences, sports business, and wealth management.

Company Website:  Winstead.com

Founded: 1973

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas

Areas of Focus: Investment Management and Private Funds

Member Quote: “Having assisted with the launch and operations of a litigation funding focused manager in 2013, and later having served as general counsel and chief compliance officer for that manager, I've seen the growth of the industry and enjoyed assisting with the unique challenges that funders and funding recipients face in structuring and working through funding relationships."

Community Spotlights

Community Spotlight: Patrick Yoder, CEO, Osage Capital

By John Freund and 4 others |

Osage Capital was founded by Patrick Yoder, an entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of healthcare and legal services. Patrick has led startups and publicly traded companies in both industries, including being the Chief Revenue Officer of one of the largest publicly traded Healthcare Management Companies in Texas and most recently, the President and Owner of Lone Star Attorney Service. Driven by a commitment to continuous improvement, Patrick established Osage Capital to address a critical need in personal injury cases: ensuring that victims receive timely access to healthcare while maintaining the strength of their legal claims.

Company Name and Description: At Osage Capital, our mission is to accelerate cash flow and growth for legal and medical professionals, providing the financial resources necessary to focus on achieving justice and favorable settlements. Our tailored solutions, including medical funding and pre-litigation financing, enable attorneys and healthcare providers to optimize their services for better outcomes.

By accelerating cash flow, Osage Capital ensures that clients can focus on their recovery without financial pressure, attorneys can concentrate on their legal strategy, free from concerns about case expenses, and healthcare providers receive prompt compensation, allowing them to maintain their cash flow and continue offering high-quality care without waiting for settlements to be finalized.

Company Website:  www.osagecapital.com

Founded:  2024

Headquarters: Houston, TX

Areas of Focus: Pre Litigation Finance and Medical Funding

Member Quote: “Our goal is to ensure that every party involved in a personal injury case is empowered to focus on their strengths. We streamline the financial aspect so that clients can heal, attorneys can pursue justice, and healthcare providers can deliver the care that’s needed—without delays."

Legal-Bay Pre-Settlement Funding Announces Additional Capital for Wrongful Termination Cases Due to Sexual Harassment and Sexual Abuse

Legal-Bay LLC, The Lawsuit Settlement Funding Company, reports today that they have set aside a large portion of their pre-settlement cash advance funding capital specifically for plaintiffs of sexual harassment cases. Legal-Bay has vast experience with unlawful termination and wrongful unemployment lawsuits related to sexual harassment and retaliation, as well as racial, gender, or age-related discrimination, whether in the office or elsewhere. Based on recent court case filings, the premier funding firm anticipates even more wrongful termination lawsuit filings to come.

Legal-Bay delivers financial assistance to people who've recently found themselves unlawfully unemployed, providing cash advances to plaintiffs while their cases are tied up in litigation. Sadly, sexual harassment is all too common in corporate workspaces, and if a person on the receiving end of it loses their job because of it, loss of pay or benefits can add financial stress to an already emotional situation. Lawsuit loans can offer a bit of monetary help during a trying time.

Chris Janish, CEO, commented, "While it's disconcerting to see an increase in sexual harassment filings, it's heartening to know that people aren't hesitating to file suit against their offenders. Many unlawfully terminated victims are unable to get new jobs right away, and sometimes a cash advance from Legal-Bay is the only way to pay the bills."

If you're an attorney or plaintiff in an ongoing wrongful termination, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, retaliation, racial, age, or gender discrimination lawsuit and require an immediate cash advance lawsuit loan from your anticipated lawsuit settlement, please visit our website HERE or call 877.571.0405.

Legal-Bay is an advocate for victims involved in sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse cases. Their settlement loan programs offer immediate cash in advance of a plaintiff's anticipated monetary award for many other types of sex crime cases such as clergy or Catholic Church sexual abuse cases, prison rape cases, police brutality, and more. The non-recourse lawsuit loans also help victims involved in unlawful termination and wrongful unemployment lawsuits, personal injury lawsuits, car and truck accidents, commercial litigation, verdict or judgment on appeal cases, medical malpractice, and more.

Legal-Bay's programs are non-recourse lawsuit cash advances—sometimes referred to as loans for lawsuits or loans on settlement—and are risk-free, as the money doesn't need to be repaid should the recipient lose their case. Therefore, the lawsuit loans aren't really a loan, but rather a cash advance.

Legal-Bay has some of the quickest turnaround in the industry, normally getting plaintiffs cash-in-hand within 48-hours of filing an application. If you require money now, please visit the company's website HERE or call 877.571.0405 where skilled agents are standing by. 

International Legal Finance Association (ILFA) Statement in Opposition to Forced Disclosure Legislation

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Today, the International Legal Finance Association is announcing its opposition to the Litigation Transparency Act of 2025, which would force public disclosure of all financing in civil cases in federal courts. 

The sweeping nature of the bill would harm small-scale inventors, startups, small and family-owned businesses, and individual Americans who partner with legal funders because they otherwise would not have the resources to assert their rights, protect their property, and defend their livelihoods.  This bill would force disclosure of the sensitive details of their legal strategies and is a blatant attempt to further tilt the legal system in favor of the biggest corporate players resulting in a dramatic reduction in civil litigation against them.  This bill would also partially nullify liability for America’s largest tech and insurance companies. 

Paul Kong, Executive Director, said: 

The effect of the legislation is devastating to the economic health of our nation and the Rule of Law. The bill would harm small businesses that have been wronged by large corporations and are seeking redress in court. There should never be a financial barrier to entry to civil litigation, and if this law is enacted, that is exactly what will happen. Only the litigants with enough money to support large professional legal teams for months of litigation will have a chance to protect their intellectual property from Big Tech’s infringement or to force Big Insurance to pay rightful claims. It is no surprise that the US Chamber of Commerce, the country’s largest insurance industry groups, and Big Tech have expressed support for the bill, as they all stand to benefit from a system like that. They are eager to preserve their ability to wield massive legal teams and resources to bully those they have harmed. 

This bill is a harmful solution in search of a problem. Courts already have the authority to order disclosure of financing when relevant and are in the best position to determine the relevancy of any financing agreement to the merits of the litigation. In the overwhelming majority of cases, courts have held that the details of legal finance agreements are not relevant to the underlying merits of cases and should be protected rather than turned over to the opposition in litigation. 

The bill’s corporate champions are trying to scare up support by invoking the specter of malign foreign actors exploiting our legal system but they cannot cite any actual examples of this threat materializing, with good reason. As civil litigation experts have noted repeatedly, existing law, court rules, and ethical guidelines provide litigants ample ability to maintain control of their cases and ensure attorneys don’t breach their duties of loyalty and confidentiality. Courts and corporate defendants themselves are also equipped to guard against the release of sensitive information, including through the issuance of a protective order. Lawmakers should oppose this effort and instead stand with small businesses to defend our free enterprise system. 

ILFA opposes the Litigation Transparency Act and will seek to educate the Members of the Judiciary Committee and the House of Representatives on the dangers of this legislation and the true motives of its proponents.” 

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.

Howden Insurance Launches Low-Value Litigation Funding and ATE Facility

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Although the funded cases that tend to attract the most attention are those that are valued in the tens or hundreds of millions of pounds, there is clearly still an appetite for legal funding aimed at smaller cases that require less capital and faster turnaround times.

In a post on LinkedIn, Mark Sands, Head of Insolvency at Apex Litigation Finance, announced the launch of a new low-value litigation funding and ATE facility: Virtus. The new facility is being launched by Howden Insurance Brokers, with Apex and Ignite Speciality Risk acting as exclusive providers of litigation funding and ATE insurance, respectively.

The Virtus facility is designed to provide law firms and their clients with quick access to legal funding up to £750,000, along with ATE insurance cover up to £100,000. Sands explains that this new product is aimed at clients looking to unlock small to medium size commercial claims. In order to meet these requirements, the Virtus facility offers guaranteed turnaround times including funding sign-off within 10 working days and an ATE insurance offer within 5 working days.

Sands directs any parties looking for more information or to start an application for funding to contact: Katie.Armstrong@HowdenGroup.com 

Heirloom Fair Legal Appoints Georgios Tzoumakas as Director for Family Office Division

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

As LFJ reported last month, Heirloom Fair Legal began the year by announcing that it is acquiring Hayes Connor Solicitors and launching its own law firm, HFL Law. Since then, the legal finance company has clearly indicated its plans for growth with the appointment of one senior team member amid a wider recruitment drive.

In a post on LinkedIn, Heirloom Fair Legal announced the appointment of Georgios Tzoumakas as Director of Capital & Investor Relations in the company’s Family Office division. The company explained that Tzoumakas will have oversight of all the division’s operations and be responsible for “developing tailored strategies to support the capital raising process, while fostering long-term relationships built on trust and excellence.”

In addition to the appointment of Tzoumakas, Heirloom has also posted several hiring notices in the weeks following the announcement of its major acquisition. These include London-based opportunities for a Controller and COFA, and a Senior Legal Finance Analyst, as well as a vacant Paralegal position in Manchester.

Burford Capital Announces Series of Promotions

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

In a series of posts across LinkedIn yesterday, Burford Capital announced a range of promotions and appointments across its operations in the U.S. and UK, with promotions handed out in the funder’s Chicago, New York and London offices.

The full list of announced promotions are as follows:

  • Chris Freeman, promoted from Director to Managing Director (Chicago)
  • Alyx Pattison, promoted from Senior Vice President to Director (Chicago)
  • Hannah Howlett, promoted from Vice President to Senior Vice President (London)
  • David Helfenbein, promoted from Vice President, Public Relations to Senior Vice President, Public Relations (New York)
  • Rupert Black, promoted from Senior Associate to Vice President (London)
  • Avik Chattaraj, promoted from Patent Associate to Vice President (Chicago)
  • Sam Bendit, promoted from Associate to Vice President (London)
  • Suzie Butters, promoted from Marketing Manager to Senior Marketing Manager (London)
  • Xingchao (Sean) Zhou, promoted from Senior Financial Accountant to Manager, Financial Accounting (New York)
  • Larry Tao, promoted from Quantitative Investment Analyst to Quantitative Investment Associate (London)
  • Orcun A., promoted from Treasury Analyst to Senior Treasury Analyst (New York)
  • Olivia Otti, promoted from Compliance Paralegal to Senior Compliance Paralegal (London)

FORIS AG Plans For Future Growth with €50 Million Fund

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

As LFJ reported earlier this year, a litigation funder based in Germany is looking to raise the profile of domestic litigation funding in the country and across continental Europe with ambitious plans to raise a €50 million fund.

An article in Handelsblatt provides new insights into the activities of FORIS AG, a German litigation funder headquartered in Bonn, providing an overview of its current case involvements and the funder’s plans for future growth. Up until now, FORIS has largely focused its investments on the mid-cap sector, targeting its financing across 100 cases which are valued at around €100,000 or more. The article explains that to date this has seen FORIS invest €10 million and seen an average success rate of 73%, with an expected multiple of three for its return on investment.

However, with plans to increase the scope and size of cases it can invest in, FORIS is now hoping to raise €50 million by the end of 2025 for its FORIS Centris Litigation Financing Fund I. Harald Steinbichler, head of the consulting firm Axessum, which is responsible for marketing the new fund, says that this will be FORIS’ “showcase project”. The funder plans to use this new capital to finance around 25 cases from across Europe, targeting disputes with much higher values to enable even greater returns.

NJ Court Disqualifies Defendants Counsel over Non-Party Litigation Funding Conflict of Interest

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

One of the key issues raised around third-party litigation funding for patent disputes, is the level of involvement and control a funder may exert on proceedings, and the potential for conflicts of interest to arise from this involvement.

A blog post from Faegre Drinker highlights a patent dispute case in the District of New Jersey, where a magistrate judge disqualified two law firms from representing defendants due to the defense being funded by a non-party who had an interest in the patent. 

In the case of Harish v. Arbit et al, US Magistrate Judge André M Espinosa had allowed the plaintiff to raise a motion to disqualify counsel for the defendants, with the plaintiff alleging that there was a conflict of interest with the lawyers representing both the defendants and Lincoln Diagnostics, Inc, the company that the defendants had sold and assigned the patent rights to. The plaintiff therefore argued that the defense counsel had broken the state’s Rule of Professional Conduct 1.8(f).

Applying the six-part test governed by the New Jersey Supreme Court’s opinion in In re State Grand Jury Investigation, 200 N.J. 481 (2009), the court found that there was evidence that Lincoln “is directing, regulating, and interfering with Defense Counsel’s professional judgment in its representation of Defendants.” Furthermore, the court found that there was an attorney-client relationship between the defendants’ counsel and Lincoln as a non-party, with a representative from Lincoln also participating in the settlement conference.

Despite objections from the defendants over the timeliness of having to bring in new counsel at this stage of the case, the ruling definitively stated that “Defendants and Lincoln, not Plaintiff, are responsible for creating the conflict of interest.” The decision concludes that “the severity of the conflict here is greater than the potential for hardship or prejudice to Defendants and warrants disqualification of Defense Counsel”

The full written decision handed down by the magistrate judge can be read here.

Broadridge Releases 2025 Global Class Action Annual Report

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

With the incredibly large sums of money at stake in class actions around the world, it is no surprise that funders and law firms alike are keen to keep a close eye on the trends and developments in these large group actions. 

Broadridge has recently released its 2025 Global Class Action Annual Report, examining the common challenges and trends in this area of litigation across the past 12 months. The report draws upon analysis of 135 global cases involving securities and/or financial products with a claim filing deadline in 2024.

Broadridge’s deep-dive into the data behind these class actions also revealed valuable insights into certain aspects of this litigation landscape. For example, whilst class actions with institutional investors as plaintiffs accounted for only 36% of all case settlements, the average settlement in those lawsuits was 565% higher than those class actions in which individuals acted as lead plaintiffs.

Another interesting data point identified by the report is the average time it takes for these class actions to settle, divided by the type of litigation as well as the size of the eventual settlement. Broadridge found that  U.S. antitrust class actions typically take the longest to settle, with an average timeline of over 100 months, whilst the timeline to settlement in securities class actions across all jurisdictions averaged out at 45.4 months.

As part of its report, Broadridge also listed its top ten class action cases for 2024, which included two cases that could be publicly identified as having used third-party litigation funding.  At No.3 on the list is the European Government Bonds Antitrust Settlements and Opt-in Litigations, with the latter opt-in claims having received funding from Deminor. At No.2, Broadridge selected the Mesoblast Securities Litigation in Australia, which saw funding provided by Omni Bridgeway and ICP Funding Pty Ltd, with the end result being a A$26.5 million settlement.

More detailed insights into class action developments and trends can be found in the full Broadridge 2025 Global Class Action Annual Report, which can be read here.

Litigation Funder Working as General Counsel at DOGE

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

As the future of litigation funding regulation continues to be a hot topic across many jurisdictions, it is worth considering the level of influence litigation funders have at the highest echelons of government. A new report suggests that in the US, one litigation funder’s founder has a role in Elon Musk’s new organization targeting government efficiency.

An article in Pro Publica highlights the role of prominent lawyers who have been appointed to positions within the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the temporary organization created by President Trump via executive order on January 20. The three lawyers, who have been identified by Pro Publica through a review of records that list DOGE email addresses at the Executive Office of the President, are Keenan Kmiec, Jacob Altik and James Burnham.

Burnham stands out among these three names, as in addition to his new role as general counsel at DOGE, he is also the President and founder of litigation funder Vallecito Capital. According to a Bloomberg Law article, Burnham launched Vallecito Capital in July 2023 with a $50 million fund, with the aim to fund lawsuits against companies that are engaged in “unambiguously bad behaviour.” The size of the $50 million fund and Burnham’s ownership, largely through a company called Deep Creek LLC, is confirmed in an application for investment adviser registration filed with the SEC.

Burnham has an extensive legal background that includes time as a litigation partner at Jones Day, the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Consumer Protection Branch of the Department of Justice, and a Senior Associate Counsel to the President. In addition to these roles, Burnham has also clerked for Justice Neil Gorsuch on the U.S. Supreme Court and Judge Alex Kozinski on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

As well as founding his own litigation funding business, Burnham is also listed as the founder of boutique law firm, King Street Legal.

LLoyd’s Extends Litica’s Coverholder Approval to Include Europe

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Whilst litigation funders often dominate the conversation in the legal funding space, the role and influence of litigation insurers has only grown in recent years as they have expanded their provision of litigation risk solutions to claimants, funders, law firms, and in-house counsel.

An announcement from Litica revealed that Lloyd’s has extended its Coverholder approval to include Europe, thereby approving Litica Europe to underwrite commercial litigation insurance on behalf of certain Lloyd’s Syndicates. This latest extension from Lloyd’s follows on from its existing Coverholder approval for Litica in both the United Kingdom and Asia-Pacific.

In the announcement, Litica explained that this approval authorises Litica Europe to underwrite insurance for policies with adverse cost limits of up to €15 million, which it says is “one of the most substantial and material levels of authority granted by Lloyd’s Syndicates in the commercial litigation insurance space.” This extension will also allow Litica to offer bespoke solutions to the European market, allowing for tailored products that are more suited to Europe than the UK.

Litica also highlighted that it has now underwritten over €2.2bn of risk to date, with cases spanning a range of litigation and arbitration.

More information about the approval and Litica’s ongoing work can be found in the full announcement here.

Renovus Capital Partners’ Portfolio Company Angeion Group Acquires Donlin Recano

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Angeion Group, a premier provider of end-to-end group litigation services, today announced the acquisition of Donlin Recano & Co. LLC, a distinguished leader in bankruptcy administration. This strategic acquisition enhances Angeion Group’s comprehensive suite of tech-enabled legal services, reinforcing its position as the market leader in group litigation support.

With a legacy of serving over 200 national clients across diverse industries, Donlin Recano brings decades of expertise in claims management, noticing, and bankruptcy case administration. By integrating its operations, Angeion Group is poised to set a new industry standard—leveraging technology, precision, and innovation to redefine the way complex bankruptcy matters are managed.

“Bringing Donlin Recano into the Angeion Group family allows us to apply our hallmark commitment to accuracy, innovation, and efficiency to an already well-respected leader in the restructuring space,” said Steven Weisbrot, CEO of Angeion Group. “Our vision is clear: we will continue to listen to our clients, anticipate their evolving needs, and deliver transformative solutions that exceed expectations.”

This acquisition marks a significant expansion of Angeion Group’s service offerings, seamlessly integrating Donlin Recano’s proven expertise with Angeion’s award-winning technology and client-first approach. Together, the combined division, Angeion Group Bankruptcy Services, will provide an elevated standard of service to law firms, financial institutions, and corporate clients navigating the complexities of bankruptcy and restructuring.

“We’re excited to see the momentum that Angeion Group is building both through organic and inorganic growth,” said Greg Gladstone, Vice President at Renovus. “Donlin Recano seamlessly complements Angeion Group’s extensive legal services capabilities by adding bankruptcy expertise, unlocking significant opportunities for growth and delivering enhanced value to our clients.”

With this acquisition, Angeion Group continues its trajectory of strategic growth and industry leadership, reaffirming its commitment to delivering best-in-class tech-enabled legal services across the litigation and bankruptcy sectors.

About Angeion Group

Angeion Group is a leading provider of legal notice and settlement administration services, leveraging technology, expertise, and data-driven strategies to deliver best-in-class solutions for complex litigation matters. With a reputation for excellence, innovation, and unwavering client commitment, Angeion Group continues to redefine industry standards.

IQuote Announces New Dubai Office to Support Global Technology Strategy

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

In the ongoing struggle to carve out opportunities within the competitive legal funding market, smaller regional funders are increasingly looking to technology-oriented strategies to try to grow their operations and compete with the established market leading companies.

An article in Insider Media covers an announcement from litigation funder IQuote Limited, who are expanding their operations with the opening of a new office in Dubai. IQuote, which was founded in Manchester in 2016, sees the Dubai office as a major step in its strategy to strengthen its technology capabilities, with plans to embark on a recruitment drive to staff this new office.

Along with this expansion to a new region, IQuote is also working on bolstering its Manchester office with new hires to build on its existing strength in the European market. IQuote is looking to recruit for several positions, including a Head of European Opportunities, Data and Risk Analysts to enhance financial forecasting, and auditors for account management and reporting. 

Craig Cornick, CEO of IQuote, highlighted Dubai’s place as “a global innovation hub”, with the new local footprint allowing the company to “tap into a wealth of talent and technological resources.” Explaining IQuote’s unified approach across these different regions, Cornick said, “By strengthening both our Manchester and Dubai teams, we’re ensuring that we have the resources and expertise needed to meet the increasing demand for our services across Europe and beyond.” 

Burford Capital Announces 2025 Investor Day

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Burford Capital Limited ("Burford" or the "Company"), the leading global finance and asset management firm focused on law, today announces it will host an Investor Day on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in New York City, which will also be webcast live and available for replay. The presentation is scheduled to begin at 9.00am EDT.

Led by Burford's executive management team and other key leaders, the event will provide a comprehensive strategic update on Burford's business and will also serve as an immersive introduction for investors and analysts who are new to the Company.

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 it works with companies and law firms around the world from its offices in New York, London, Chicago, Washington, DC, Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong.For more information, please visit www.burfordcapital.com.

Counsel Financial Unveils Revamped Website, Modern Branding and Expanded Product Offerings

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

Counsel Financial, the nation's leading provider of financing solutions exclusively for plaintiff law firms, is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website and updated branding. The refreshed branding underscores the company's commitment to providing accessible capital solutions to the plaintiffs' bar while highlighting its expanded scope of services offered to capital providers who invest in law firms focused on contingent-fee litigation.

The updated website, CounselFinancial.com, features a streamlined design, enhanced functionality, and includes new sections detailing the company's tech-enabled, end-to-end solutions for banks and investment funds. Visitors can now explore the site with ease, accessing detailed information on Counsel Financial's array of financing solutions, resources and success stories from law firms nationwide.

"Counsel Financial has always been a pioneer in the legal funding space and this rebrand reflects our evolution while staying true to our mission of empowering plaintiff firms to achieve financial stability and success," said Paul Cody, CEO. "The new website represents our commitment to growth, accessibility and continuing to be the trusted partner for law firms and capital providers."

Unmatched Servicing Expertise

A standout feature of Counsel Financial's offerings is its comprehensive servicing capabilities, designed to meet the complex needs of capital providers investing in law firm financing. With expertise in collateral monitoring and case valuation, Counsel Financial provides unparalleled servicing for portfolios secured by contingent fee interests. The company's proprietary systems and dedicated team ensure accurate case tracking, timely reporting, and proactive management of legal fee receivables. Partnering with Counsel Financial allows capital providers to tap into the company's 25 years of legal funding expertise, enabling them to maximize portfolio performance and mitigate risk effectively.

A Legacy of Innovation

Founded by attorneys for attorneys, Counsel Financial has provided over $1.5 billion in loans to plaintiff law firms since its inception. The company's industry expertise, combined with its commitment to client success, has positioned it as a trusted partner for firms looking to grow their practices and manage financial hurdles effectively.

Visit CounselFinancial.com to explore the new website, learn more about the expanded product offerings, and discover how Counsel Financial can help your firm achieve its goals.

About Counsel Financial

Counsel Financial is the premier litigation financing company in the U.S., founded by attorneys in 2000. We operate with the belief that opportunities should never be limited by resources. Counsel Financial is dedicated to helping law firms and capital providers succeed and grow together in the evolving world of contingency-fee litigation.

Fox Files Petition to Compel Discovery of Funder in Smartmatic Defamation Case

By Harry Moran and 4 others |

When it comes to discovery requests over third-party funding in US lawsuits, we are accustomed to seeing these issues arise most commonly in intellectual property and patent litigation. However, a recent petition has shined the spotlight on a funded cases that is notable for its connections to the country’s political and media landscape.

An article in Bloomberg Law reveals that Fox Corp. has filed a petition in California Superior Court to compel discovery against the funder of the defamation case brought against Fox by Smartmatic USA Corp. Smartmatic’s claim for $2.7 billion in damages is being funded by Reid Hoffman, co-founder and executive chairman of LinkedIn, as disclosed by Hoffman himself in July of last year. Smartmatic’s case was first brought in February 2021, focusing on allegations that Fox defamed the voting technology company in its coverage of conspiracies about the 2020 US presidential election.

Fox’s petition was filed on January 29 following Hoffman objections to subpoenas, with counsel for Fox requesting that Hoffman and his aide Dmitri Mehlhorn be deposed, and handover documents relating to his funding of Smartmatic’s case and the validity of those claims. The central issue that Fox’s petition raises is the valuation of damages that Smartmatic is claiming, referencing comments in the media from Mehlhorn who suggested that without the alleged defamation, Smartmatic “could be a $400 million company.” 

Furthermore, Fox’s petition aims to support its anti-SLAPP counterclaim against Smartmatic, as the requested documents and testimony may provide evidence that the defamation lawsuit was ideologically motivated. Fox’s counsel stated that “if this lawsuit is motivated not by the facts but by some political agenda against Fox News or its perceived political views, that is evidence Fox must obtain in connection with its counterclaim.”