In a strategic move to bolster its litigation finance and loan servicing capabilities, Counsel Financial welcomes Nicholas (Nick) D’Aquilla, Esq. as its new Managing Director. With over a decade of experience in the mass tort industry and as a former civil defense litigator for the Louisiana Department of Justice, D’Aquilla brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success to the Counsel Financial leadership team.
D’Aquilla has distinguished himself as a leading figure in administering complex settlements, contributing to the administration of more than $20 billion in mass tort settlements across many high-profile cases. His expertise in solution design and oversight services has contributed to the resolution of more than 40 mass tort and class action litigations, spanning environmental, pharmaceutical, medical device, and sexual assault matters.
D'Aquilla will focus on enhancing Counsel Financial's mass tort underwriting processes and loan servicing offering, enhancing the development of valuation models based on historical settlement data. He will also leverage his experience as a consultant for multiple legal technology companies to help drive continued refinement of the company's servicing platform.
“Adding Nick to our team marks a significant enhancement of our litigation finance and loan servicing offerings,” said Paul Cody, President & CEO of Counsel Financial. “Coupling our team’s 200+ years of legal, financial and litigation experience with Nick’s knowledge and insight into the mass tort sector provides unparalleled resources that can be leveraged by both our law firm clients and institutional investors utilizing our servicing platform.”
Before joining Counsel Financial, D’Aquilla played a pivotal role in a complex settlement fund advisory team for a national bank, where he developed innovative underwriting methodologies that enabled credit extensions to mass tort plaintiffs’ firms. There, he also analyzed and valued over $1.5 billion in loan collateral derived from mass tort dockets.
About Counsel Financial
Counsel Financial is an industry leader in originating, underwriting and servicing loans and other financing solutions for contingent fee law firms. For over two decades, Counsel Financial has provided more than $2 billion in capital investments across 300+ law firms. These investments have financed the growth of firms in every area of plaintiffs’ litigation, including personal injury, mass torts, class action and labor and employment.
It previously announced the creation of 10 new jobs in key areas including legal, auditing, finance and origination, after opening a new office in Weert, Netherlands. Aisling added: “I take immense pride in witnessing the remarkable growth of Nera Capital as it expands worldwide.
“In the face of a rapidly evolving world, our industry has often been considered slow to adapt in relative terms. We are determined to break free from that inertia and lead the charge towards meaningful change. By embracing cutting-edge AI technology, we have entered a transformative chapter for our firm. The fusion of innovation and data-driven insights empowers us to navigate legal landscapes with even greater efficiency, ensuring our partnered law firms receive the swift and insightful solutions they deserve which can hopefully speed up the justice process for those that need it.”
Nera Capital are expected to look at further expansion into new locations in the near future.
About Nera Capital
LegalPay, India's leading litigation finance company, has been named the BEST LEGALTECH STARTUP OF THE YEAR by Entrepreneur India at the prestigious Tech and Innovation Summit 2024. This recognition underscores LegalPay's unwavering commitment to revolutionizing the legal finance landscape and empowering businesses with innovative solutions.
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The recognition from Entrepreneur India serves as a testament to LegalPay's dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the legal and financial technology sector. As businesses continue to seek efficient and sustainable solutions to recover their dues, LegalPay remains steadfast in its mission to empower businesses and drive positive change in the industry.
About LegalPay:
Founded in 2019 by Kundan Shahi, LegalPay has emerged as India's largest litigation funding company, currently managing over USD 400 Million worth of claims. Through innovative solutions like QuickSettle, LegalPay empowers businesses to navigate financial hurdles seamlessly and unlock their true potential.