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Panthera Resources Files $1.58 Billion Claim for Damages in Dispute with India

By Harry Moran |

The prolonged duration of investor-state treaty disputes often means that updates on these claims are few and far between. However, the presence of litigation funding allows these claims to proceed at their own pace without the claimant being concerned over the significant financial resources needed to support these disputes. 

In an announcement released today, Panthera Resources Plc provided an update on the arbitration claim being brought by its subsidiary company, Indo Gold Pty Ltd (IGPL), against the Republic of India over the Bhukia project. The announcement revealed that IGPL has issued its Memorial to the arbitration tribunal, which includes a claim for damages totalling $1.58 billion. 

The filing of the memorial and statement of claim to the tribunal follows IGPL’s formal issuance of a Notice of Arbitration to India in July 2024, and the tribunal’s later order to file the memorial by 16 May 2025.

As LFJ previously reported in August 2023, Panthera Resources has secured litigation funding through LCM Funding, a subsidiary of Litigation Capital Management. The funding agreement provides for up to $13.6 million in financing to support the dispute through to a conclusion.

The claim being brought by IGPL centres on alleged breaches of the 199 Australia-India Bilateral Investment Treaty, claiming that the Government of Rajasthan ‘denied and frustrated’ IGPL’s right to be granted a prospecting license over the Bhukia mining project. Furthermore, IGPL’s claim alleges that it suffered a total loss of investment following the passing of new legislation in 2021 which amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 2015 and thereby revoked the preferential right to a prospecting license and mining lease.

Legal Bay Presettlement Funding Offers Comprehensive Guideline for Funding Contracts to Avoid

By Harry Moran |

As the lawsuit funding industry continues to grow, Legal-Bay Lawsuit Settlement Funding is issuing a public advisory to plaintiffs navigating the complex and often underregulated pre-settlement loan landscape. The company urges consumers to remain vigilant against deceptive contract practices and highlights its own commitment to transparency, fairness, and ethical funding solutions.

While pre-settlement funding can offer critical financial relief during lengthy legal battles, Legal-Bay warns that not all funding companies operate ethically. In particular, the firm is cautioning plaintiffs to avoid contracts that include compounding pricing models, hidden fees, and vague language, common tactics used by unscrupulous funders.  Legal-Bay also offers refinancing's in event you have a large legal funding lien with a bad compounding rate and want cheaper pricing.

Chris Janish, CEO of Legal Bay, says, "Too often we see plaintiffs fall victim to exploitative funding agreements that leave them owing far more than they borrowed, especially after years of compounding costs buried in the fine print. Many of these contracts are intentionally confusing, designed to mislead consumers. At Legal-Bay, we offer refinancing options on large funding buyouts, by converting your existing compounding lien into a flat pricing lien – no different than a home mortgage refi."

If you are involved in any active litigation and would like to discuss how to get a cash advance from your anticipated lawsuit settlement, please visit the company's website HERE or call 877.571.0405 where agents are standing by to hear about your specific case.  

Legal-Bay outlines several red flags that plaintiffs should watch out for when considering a pre-settlement advance:

  • Compounding interest without clear repayment terms: Some funders fail to disclose how much a plaintiff will owe over time, resulting in balances that balloon dramatically after two or three years.
  • Vague or misleading contract language: Important terms are often hidden in fine print or presented in confusing legal jargon.
  • Discouraging attorney involvement: Ethical funders will encourage plaintiffs to review all funding agreements with their attorneys instead of trying to edge them out of the discussion.
  • Lack of disclosure about maximum repayment: Some contracts leave plaintiffs uncertain about how much will ultimately be deducted from their settlement.

In contrast, Legal-Bay's approach is rooted in transparency, fairness, and full attorney cooperation. All of their contracts are structured to include straightforward terms, capped repayment amounts, and no compounding interest. Plaintiffs and their attorneys are given full access to review and understand the terms before any funding is finalized.

Legal-Bay's dedication to ethical funding has made it a trusted name in loan on lawsuit funding for plaintiffs in personal injury, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, dog bite, commercial litigation, and many more.

Legal-Bay's lawsuit funding programs are designed to provide immediate cash in advance of a plaintiff's anticipated monetary award. While it's common to refer to these legal funding requests as loans on lawsuit or settlement loans, legal funding isn't like a loan at all. Because the funds are non-recourse, there's no risk since there is no obligation to repay the money if the recipient loses their case.

To apply right now for a loan settlement program, please visit the company's website HERE or call toll-free at: 877.571.0405 where agents are standing by to answer any questions.

LFJ Podcast: Richard Culberson, CEO, Moneypenny

By John Freund |

In this episode, Richard Culberson, the CEO of Moneypenny, discuses how technology is redefining communications and the client experience within the litigation funding and broader legal services industries.

In this podcast, Richard highlights:

  1. Balancing innovation with professionalism when it comes to the human connection that clients demand
  2. How to implement secure digital communication tools to ensure that AI-enabled client insights maintain robust security
  3. One technology that most firms still overlook but has the potential to become a major differentiator in client experience
  4. Practical first steps for firms that wants to future-proof their communication strategies without overwhelming their internal teams.

Plus much more! Check out the full video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JMz-6XwtHg

Theo Ai Secures 4.2MM Seed Round to Advance AI-Powered Settlement Prediction for Big Law

By Harry Moran |

Theo Ai, the AI-driven prediction platform for litigation, has raised a $4.2 million seed round just six months after its $2.2 million pre-seed announcement in November. The round was co-led by returning investor NextView Ventures and new investor Collide Capital. As part of the investment, Aaron Samuels, General Partner at Collide Capital, will join Theo Ai’s board. The funds will be used to expand proprietary data pipelines, enhance legal corpus, and reinforce supervised learning with legal experts.

“The legal industry is at a turning point, and AI-powered predictions are becoming essential for managing client expectations and executive decision-making,” said Patrick Ip, Co-founder and CEO of Theo Ai. “With this investment, we will continue to develop the infrastructure that makes settlement predictions more precise and valuable for law firms and corporate legal teams.”

Theo Ai will use the new capital to accelerate product development, focusing on its AI-powered settlement prediction tools tailored for Big Law firms and General Counsels. The company is committed to building firm-specific prediction engines that leverage case history and proprietary data to provide actionable insights across a wider array of legal scenarios.

“The leadership team within Theo Ai continues to demonstrate a deep understanding of customer needs and the way advanced technology can reshape the legal field for decades to come” said Co-Founder and Partner at NextView, Rob Go. “this round came together very quickly because customers are quickly adopting what they see as a uniquely valuable solution."

“Theo Ai is transforming the way legal teams predict and manage settlements, and we are excited to back their next phase of growth,” said Aaron Samuels. “Having crossed paths with Patrick early in our respective founder journeys, it’s incredible to now collaborate in building the future of AI-driven legal intelligence.”

The funding round also marks a significant expansion of Theo Ai’s leadership team with the appointment of Jay Mandal as Chief Product Officer. A Stanford Law Lecturer and former COO at SAP, Mandal brings deep expertise in AI, enterprise technology, and legal innovation. He previously was the head M&A attorney at Apple and founded a legal tech company acquired by Rocket Lawyer. The company also welcomed Rob Martorana as Head of Partnerships. A former attorney with over 25 years in legal sales and marketing, including 12 years in litigation finance, Rob brings deep expertise across portfolio, single-case, and corporate monetization strategies. He most recently founded REMO Litigation Finance and served as SVP at Burford Capital.

Theo Ai’s seed round saw participation from all pre-seed investors, including nvp capital, Ripple Ventures, and Beat Ventures. The round also welcomed new investors Four Acres Capital and a distinguished group of angel investors from across legal, finance, and technology:

  • David Fox (Kirkland & Ellis)
  • Bo Berluti (RTP Global)
  • Ramesh Dhanaraj (ex-Fortress Investment Group)
  • Vivek Nasta (ex-Thomson Reuters)
  • Akash Garg (ex-Uber)
  • Art Calcagnini (ex-UBS)

Theo Ai initially launched by helping litigation funders optimize their investment decisions – recently partnering with Mustang Litigation Funding – and has rapidly expanded into serving Big Law and in-house legal teams. The strong market demand led to an oversubscribed seed round, reinforcing confidence in Theo Ai’s technology and vision.

With this latest funding, Theo Ai is poised to drive the future of AI-powered legal decision-making, delivering cutting-edge predictive solutions for the legal industry.

To learn more and join the waitlist for Theo Ai, visit: Theo Ai

About Theo Ai

Theo Ai is the first predictive engine designed by technical and legal professionals to forecast the outcome of legal disputes. Its AI models are trained on historical case data and incorporate real-time analytics with predictive modeling to deliver accurate and actionable insights. Theo Ai is meeting the most critical need for legal professionals - offering accurate case outcome predictions, backed by data. To learn more and join the waitlist for Theo Ai, visit: https://theoai.ai/#product

AALF Announces Completion of Template Insolvency Litigation Funding Agreement

By Harry Moran |

One of the common talking points at industry events is the need for increased standardisation in legal funding, with a set of agreed upon best practices often viewed as an important step forward for the maturation of the industry.

In a post on LinkedIn, The Association of Litigation Funders of Australia (AALF) announced that it has created and released a Template Insolvency Litigation Funding Agreement. AALF explains that the template is designed ‘to optimise efficiency for lawyers and insolvency practitioners involved in funded insolvency litigation’, providing a practical industry baseline for the use of such funding agreements in Australia. 

The ‘insolvency claim funding deed’ template as shown in the announcement offers a basic layout for the details of the funder, claimant, insolvency practitioner, and lawyers. The deed structure then outlines the following four key components that the deed will be comprised of: commercial terms, funding deed – general funding terms, definitions, and three annexures. The annexures include an insolvency practitioner’s report, a lawyer’s report, and a payment claim report for other funded costs.

AALF expressed its thanks to its members who contributed to the completion of this template with special thanks to the following individuals: Frances Dreyer (Johnson Winter Slattery), Doug Hayter (Ironbark Funding), Heather Collins GAICD (Court House Capital), Stuart Price (CASL), Lisa Brentnall (Clover Risk Funding), John Walker (CASL), Michelle Silvers (Court House Capital), and Kelly Trenfield (FTI Consulting).

The template can be viewed here, and AALF encourages any parties interested in using this resource to contact them.

International Legal Finance Association Adds Certum to Mark 30 Member Companies

By Harry Moran |

The International Legal Finance Association (ILFA), the only global association of commercial legal finance companies, announced that it has added its 30th member company to the association –Certum Group. 

Certum Group specializes in comprehensive alternative litigation strategies, such as litigation buyout insurance, judgment preservation insurance, litigation funding, class action settlement insurance, adverse judgment insurance, and claim monetization. The Texas-based Certum Group team includes litigation and insurance professionals along with risk mitigation specialists. 

“We are delighted to join ILFA and help it engage with policymakers interested in litigation finance,” said William Marra, a Director at Certum Group who leads the company’s litigation finance efforts. “Funding helps people and companies with strong legal claims get better access to the courts. We are excited to work with IFLA and ensure policymakers continue to encourage rather than restrict companies’ access to commercial legal finance.” 

“We’re delighted that Certum is joining ILFA’s growing membership”, said Rupert Cunningham, ILFA’s Global Director of Growth and Membership Engagement. “Certum already provides a lot of thought leadership on litigation funding and other matters, and they will make a great addition to ILFA’s work to support the sector in the US and 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.

How to Build — and Sustain — a Powerhouse Legal Team

The following was contributed by Richard Culberson, the CEO North America of Moneypenny, the world’s customer conversation experts, specializing in call answering and live chat solutions.

Teams have the power to deliver sharper results, better service, and greater resilience. But how can we turn collaboration into a powerhouse — and keep it going?

As someone who leads a fast-paced customer conversations business, I know firsthand how critical strong teamwork is to delivering excellence, building trust, and staying competitive. While I don’t lead a law firm, I work closely with legal professionals across North America every day — and I’ve seen that the principles behind high-performing teams apply just as much in the legal sector as they do in tech.

At Moneypenny, we support thousands of law firms by providing virtual receptionists, client communication tools, and 24/7 support — so we understand the pressures legal teams face: high stakes, fast turnarounds, and a growing expectation for more responsive, more efficient service.

So, here’s the big question: how do you transform teamwork from something that gets things done to something that drives sustained excellence? 

Defining a Powerhouse Legal Team

We’ve all heard the phrase, “teamwork makes the dream work.” But in reality, that only holds true when the team is built and supported in the right way.  What really makes the difference is a powerhouse team – one that doesn’t just meet expectations but shapes them.

A legal team, like any tech or ops team is made up of specialists - attorneys, paralegals, and support staff. It's a collaborative unit aligned toward shared client outcomes — whether that’s winning a case, closing a deal, or shaping legal strategy. A powerhouse legal team, however, takes this a step further. It consistently delivers excellence, anticipates client needs, and influences firm-wide success.

This could be the litigation team that wins precedent-setting cases. The M&A group that closes complex deals under pressure. Or the in-house counsel team that protects and propels business strategy. Whatever the mission, a powerhouse team lead sthrough several key building blocks, and in my experience, they’re universal to all industries.

The Seven Pillars of a Powerhouse Team (Legal or Otherwise)

So, how do you build that level of excellence? It starts with people — the right people. In legal services, your people are your greatest asset. But it’s not just about legal acumen. They must align with your firm’s culture, values, and long-term vision.

Then, you build on these seven pillars:

1. Strong Legal Leadership

Every successful team needs a leader who can inspire and set a strategic course. Whether it’s a senior partner, practice head, or general counsel, their job is to elevate the team’s performance, foster a culture of accountability, and ensure alignment with both client goals and firm direction. Great leaders don't micromanage — they empower.

2. Shared Goals and Legal Vision

Powerhouse teams are unified by clear, shared goals. Everyone knows what success looks like and what’s expected of them — whether that’s billable hours, client feedback, or innovation in legal service delivery. When the entire team rallies around a common vision, alignment and momentum follow.

3. Diverse and Complementary Legal Expertise

No team succeeds when everyone brings the same strengths. The best-performing teams I’ve built include a mix of strategists, problem-solvers, doers and deep thinkers. The same principle applies in legal settings. Legal excellence requires more than technical brilliance in one area. It demands a combination of skills across disciplines. A litigation team thrives when trial lawyers, legal researchers, and case managers work seamlessly. In a corporate team, dealmakers, compliance professionals, and contract experts must collaborate. And just as important as functional skills is diversity of thought — bringing varied perspectives to legal problems leads to smarter, more creative outcomes.

4. Open and Effective Communication

In our world, communication is everything but that is true in all busines. Whether it’s delegating work, discussing a case strategy, or updating clients, effective communication prevents errors, builds trust, and enhances efficiency. I’ve found that when communication flows freely everything else works better. Egos stay in check, ideas get better and results speak for themselves.

5. Trust and Collaboration

A true team operates with mutual trust. Everyone understands their role, respects others’ and works to a shared goal. When legal professionals trust one another’s judgment, competence, and intentions, the team thrives. This trust allows lawyers to focus on their areas of expertise while relying on others to do the same. Collaboration becomes second nature, not forced. Roles are respected, workloads are balanced, and credit is shared. That kind of trust turns a good team into a powerhouse.

6. Adaptability and Resilience

Across the business landscape, we’re in a time when things change fast and the legal world is no different — new legislation, client demands, economic pressures. A powerhouse team responds with agility. They learn quickly, adjust strategies, and support each other during challenging cases or high-pressure deadlines. They don’t just survive stress — they strengthen through it.

7. Continuous Learning and Improvement

The best teams never stay still. Whether it’s staying ahead of regulatory changes, mastering new tech tools, or refining client service skills, powerhouse teams prioritize development. Mentoring, ongoing training, and regular performance feedback cultivate teams that evolve — not stagnate.

A commitment to continuous improvement sends a clear message: you believe in your team, and you’re investing in their growth. That, in turn, builds loyalty, engagement, and retention.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're building a tech team, a client success function, or a legal department, the fundamentals of a high-performing team remain the same. Great teams don’t just happen. They’re built with intent — with the right people, supported by the right culture, and driven by the right leadership.

When you get this right, the payoff is exponential. From more efficient operations to higher client satisfaction and better outcomes — powerhouse teamwork becomes a competitive advantage.

In any sector — and certainly in law — that’s a result worth striving for.

Claim Issued in Multi-Billion Pound UK Class Action Against Microsoft

By Harry Moran |

Alexander Wolfson, a highly experienced barrister of more than 25 years standing, has issued an opt-out class action claim against software giant Microsoft. He is issuing the claim on behalf of all UK-domiciled natural and legal persons (including public bodies) that purchased licences for certain specified Microsoft software products (including Microsoft Office and Windows). 

The claims allege that the software giant abused its market dominance and engaged in conduct that restricted competition to its new licences from pre-owned licences for Microsoft products. That conduct affected and inflated the prices of both new licences and pre-owned licences. 

The claim is one of the most significant class action cases currently underway in the UK, with a potential value reaching into the billions. 

Wolfson has retained the services of the Head of Competition at Stewarts, Kate Pollock, alongside partners Stuart Carson and Marc Jones (and others), and is instructing Counsel teams at both Monckton and Matrix Chambers, together with a team of experts to provide testimony on the economics of the case. The claim is funded by Harbour. 

Alex Wolfson, Proposed Class Representative, said: “Microsoft’s actions have had a significant and far-reaching impact on UK consumers, businesses and public bodies. This claim seeks to hold Microsoft to account and to secure compensation for the many affected members of the class. With billions of pounds potentially at stake, this case is about ensuring fairness in the digital marketplace and ensuring even the largest tech companies play by the rules.”

Kate Pollock, Head of Competition Litigation at Stewarts, said: “Microsoft’s conduct has had a profound and costly impact on millions of individuals and private and public sector organisations that rely on its software for daily business operations. We believe that Microsoft abused its market dominance by imposing restrictive licensing practices that effectively shut down competition and inflated prices. We’re proud to be supporting Alexander Wolfson in bringing this claim. With our specialist experience in complex competition litigation, we are well placed to help secure justice for the millions affected. This case has the potential to restore greater fairness and accountability to the UK’s increasingly digital economy.” 

Ellora MacPherson, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer at Harbour, which is funding the case, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Alex Wolfson, Kate Pollock and the rest of the Stewarts team by funding this important case which will give access to justice to tens of thousands of individuals and public and private organisations in the UK. This action is likely to be one of the largest the UK has seen and is an example of how big corporate entities can be held to account.” 

For more information about the case, visit MicrosoftClaim.com

JustFund Expands Family Law Funding to New Zealand

By Harry Moran |

For litigation funders in their early years of growth post-founding, the ability to continue to raise capital and expand to new markets are often key signs of strengths in these businesses, as demonstrated by an Australian family law funder with its latest announcement.

In a post on LinkedIn, JustFund revealed that it has launched funding services for family matters in New Zealand, marking its first expansion outside of Australia since the funder’s inception three years ago. The announcement explained that JustFund is looking to support both lawyers who need support for their clients or an individual who needs the financial assistance to secure legal representation.

This expansion follows JustFund’s $92 million capital raise in November of last year, with the funds consisting of a combination of seed round financing, a senior debt facility, and additional mezzanine funding. At the time of the capital raise, JustFund said that in the two years since its founding it had provided more than $95 million in legal funding for family law cases, resulting in over $1 billion in relationship property settlements.

Andy O’Connor, co-founder and CEO of Just Fund, commented on the announcement saying, “It's been an incredible first week meeting with client-centric law firms looking to deliver solutions for their clients.” O’Connor also stated that JustFund is recruiting for its Auckland office to support this expansion, with the funder hiring for family lawyer and client experience positions.

More information about JustFund’s offering to New Zealand clients can be found on its website.

LCM Responds to Speculation Over Alleged Investigation 

By Harry Moran |

A statement released by Litigation Capital Management (LCM) offers a response to recent media speculation that the funder is facing a potential investigation by the office of the Dubai Public Prosecutor (DPP).

LCM’s statement is as follows: “The article states that the original complaint was made in 2022. The Company confirms that it has not been contacted by any legal authority, either historically or recently, in relation to the allegation. Furthermore, the Company does not believe any such allegation, were it to be made, would have any merit whatsoever. The Company is investigating further and will update the market as appropriate.”

The article that prompted LCM’s statement was published by Intelligence Online on 13 May, claiming that “the Dubai Public Prosecutor's office commenced a court-assisted investigation into LCM and its chief executive Patrick Moloney in March.” The headline of the article suggests that the investigation is a “money laundering probe”, with the DPP’s office reportedly “examining details from a complaint made in late 2022.

The full article available to Intelligence Online subscribers here.

Angeion Group Makes Significant Additions to its Board of Directors

By Harry Moran |

Angeion Group, a leading provider of legal notice and settlement administration services, today announced the addition of three independent members to its Board of Directors. This milestone underscores Angeion's strategic growth trajectory and commitment to strong governance, innovation, and operational excellence. 

The newly appointed board members are three highly accomplished executives whose leadership has shaped the modern legal and professional services industries: 

  • Rich Antoneck, Chief Executive Officer of Veritext Legal Solutions, leads the largest deposition and alternative dispute resolution firm in North America. Antoneck brings more than 20 years of private equity-backed executive leadership, including prior roles as CFO of Accuity Solutions and SourceMedia. 
  • David Perla, Vice Chair of Burford Capital, is a recognized innovator in legal services. Formerly President of Bloomberg Law and co-founder of Pangea3 (acquired by Thomson Reuters), Perla oversees policy, marketing, and industry engagement at Burford. 
  • Lou Andreozzi, former Chairman of Bloomberg Law and CEO of LexisNexis North American Legal Markets, is a legal tech pioneer. He has driven growth and product innovation at Martindale-Hubbell and continues to serve as a trusted advisor and board member across private equity and legal-tech ventures. 

"This board brings together an exceptional combination of legal acumen, business strategy, and operational expertise," said Lee Minkoff, Managing Director at Renovus Capital Partners, the private equity sponsor of Angeion Group. "Angeion is operating at the forefront of legal administration, and this step reinforces our confidence in the company's leadership, vision, and continued trajectory of operational excellence and growth." 

Our growth has always been fueled by bold thinking and relentless execution, and the addition of Rich, David, and Lou takes that to the next level," said Steven Weisbrot, President and CEO of Angeion Group. "Each has fundamentally shaped the way legal services are delivered - from litigation finance to legal tech and professional services at scale. Their insights will help us sharpen our strategy, deepen client impact, and push the boundaries of legal administration. 

About Angeion Group 

Angeion Group is an industry leader in legal notice and settlement administration, known for its use of technology, analytics, and hands-on client support to execute efficient, compliant, and effective legal administration services. With a proven track record in class action, mass tort, and bankruptcy administration, Angeion continues to redefine industry standards through precision, transparency, and innovation.

FORIS AG Reports Strong Market Interest in Litigation Financing Fund

By Harry Moran |

As LFJ reported in February, one legal funder in Germany is seeking to elevate its engagement in the country with a new fund that demonstrates significant ambition for the growth of litigation financing in this underserved market.

In an update posted by FORIS AG, the German litigation funder revealed that its FORIS Centris Litigation Financing Fund I has already attracted strong market interest from professional and institutional investors, allowing for case financing to begin. According to the post, the fund was already sufficiently capitalized in February to start backing lawsuits. FORIS AG launched this fund in partnership with Liechtenstein-based CAIAC Fund Management AG and Vienna-based Centris Capital AG.

Frederick Iwans, CEO of FORIS AG, said that the funder was confident it will be able to build on this momentum and reach the fund’s target of financing 20 to 25 cases within the next two years. Iwans also shed some light on the types of cases the fund was able to finance, explaining that FORIS AG had seen “a significant increase in financing requests or cases with amounts in dispute exceeding €50 million”. He also suggested that it was even possible for the fund to support cases above the €100 million threshold.

Michael Nagy, CEO of Centris Capital AG, said that he believes the fund has “hit a nerve” with the market and highlighted that they have already received twelve subscriptions to the fund. Nagy went on to explain that the uncorrelated nature of the litigation financing fund is particularly attractive to investors, given the ongoing turmoil in the stock market and the opportunity for these investors to diversify both their portfolios and risk profiles.

Bombay High Court Judgment Affirms Litigation Funding’s Legality in India

By Harry Moran |

Although the presence and visibility of legal funding in India is limited, a recent judgment re-affirming the legality of litigation funding will no doubt be seen as a positive sign for supporters of the nascent litigation finance market in the country.

An article on Verdictum covers a ruling in the Bombay High Court which affirmed that third-party litigation funding is neither illegal nor does it violate Section 23 of the Indian Contract Act. The judgment was handed down following the appeal of a decision in the City Civil Court which had quashed the amalgamation of two trusts, ruling that it was a matter of “champertous litigation” and was therefore prohibited by Section 23.

The background of the case begins with the Assistant Charity Commissioner’s approval of a 2005 amalgamation of the Rizvi Education Society and the Kailash Seva Sadan Trust, with the approval later being challenged by the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in the City Civil Court.

In his judgment for the High Court, Justice Sharmila U Deshmukh found that it “cannot be countenanced that third party funding of litigation is per se illegal and violates Section 23 of Contract Act, apart from the fact that such contemplation is alien to an inquiry under Section 50A (2) of Trusts Act.” 

Whilst this ruling was focused on a specific case within the limited context of the amalgamation of these two trusts, the repeated affirmation of litigation funding’s legality in India is a welcome sight for funders considering expanding their services to this jurisdiction.

The full judgment by the High Court in Rizvi Education Society & Ors. v. The Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation & Ors can be read here

Toremis Speciality Launches Website and Legal Risk Services

By Harry Moran |

In January of this year, LFJ covered the launch of Legatus Holdings Limited, with the legal funding venture designed as a one-stop shop offering funding, legal services, insurance and claims acquisition under one umbrella organisation. Four months later, the insurance arm of this venture has launched its website and offered new insights into the legal risk services it will be offering.

In a post on Toremis Speciality’s website, CEO Nathan Hull introduced the new MGA business and provided an overview of its solutions and capabilities to the legal insurance market. Highlighting the company’s focus solely on legal related risks, Toremis will focus on delivering capabilities in after-the-Event (ATE), contingent risk, and tax liability insurance. Given Toremis’ ties to the other Legatus subsidiary companies (Asertis, KP Law, Cavis), Hull emphasised that the MGA also brings “strong, long-term capacity partners, that understand the space and are committed to its growth.”

Hull, whose involvement with Toremis was revealed at the time of the Legatus launch, brings a wealth of experience in legal insurance to his position as chief executive. Before taking on this new venture, Hull had spent the last five years as Head of Contingent and Litigation Risk Europe at VALE Insurance Partners.

Toremis’ website lists three executives in its senior leadership team, with Sam Tacey and Koosha Kowsari completing the trifecta alongside Hull. Tacey holds the position of Senior Partner, having joined the new venture from Acquinex where he served as Head of Contingent Risks and Claims. Kowsari is in post as the company’s Finance Director, building on a long career in finance and accounting, including his most recent role as Head of Insurance Finance at Marshmallow.

Legal-Bay Launches Innovative Attorney Case Cost Funding

By Harry Moran |

Legal-Bay Pre-settlement Lawsuit Funding, a longtime leader in presettlement and legal funding, has unveiled a new financing program designed to help attorneys cover the high costs of building and preparing cases for trial without relying on bank loans or credit lines.

Case costs can include everything from medical records to expert witnesses to life care plans to court fees. Legal-Bay's funding lessens the upfront financial strain by providing capital that's only repaid if the lawsuit is successful, and gives legal professionals fast, flexible access to extra money when they need it most. The program allows attorneys to secure resources for experts, depositions, court filings, and other necessary expenses without tying up firm assets or tapping into their own expense accounts.

Chris Janish, CEO of Legal Bay, says, "Legal-Bay's attorney or law firm case cost funding program is tailored to help small and medium firms get the ball across the goal line to win big cases. We are a resource for lawyers nationwide to utilize case cost funding when cash flow is tight, without long underwriting processes, credit checks or monthly payments.  Best of all, our non-recourse funding means you only pay if you win the case."

If you're a lawyer or law firm in need of extra case cost funding in advance of your case's anticipated settlement award, you can apply HERE or call: 877.571.0405

With nearly 20 years of experience in legal finance, Legal-Bay has earned the trust of thousands of attorneys and law firms across the country. The company's commitment to fast approvals, transparent terms, and case-first evaluations has made it a go-to resource for professionals seeking a smarter way to manage litigation costs.

Legal-Bay is one of the best legal funding companies in the industry, known for their helpful staff and quick turnaround. They fund almost every type of lawsuit including personal injury, slips and falls, sexual discrimination, assault, or abuse, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful incarceration, and more. While sometimes legal funding is referred to as loans on lawsuit or lawsuit loans, there are no credit checks or collateral required. The money is an immediate cash advance against a plaintiff's anticipated settlement award, not a conventional loan. The non-recourse lawsuit funding is risk-free, as the money doesn't need to be repaid should the recipient lose their case.

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

Alchemy Investments Acquisition Corp 1 Signs Non-Binding LOI with Cartiga, LLC

Alchemy Investments Acquisition Corp 1 ("Alchemy"( (Nasdaq: ALCY), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company ("SPAC"), has entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Cartiga, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Cartiga" and together with Alchemy, the "Parties"), in connection with a potential business combination ("Business Combination").

Cartiga is a specialized alternative investment firm using advanced data analytics to drive investments in litigation finance. By integrating legal and financial data, Cartiga leverages proprietary information and deep domain expertise to predict litigation outcomes, optimize asset allocation and investment performance, and deliver case and business management insights to law firms.

Its analytics-driven strategy enables claim valuation, tech-enabled case monitoring, and dynamic risk adjustment. Cartiga streamlines the origination and investment process in a manner designed to mitigate risk and maximize returns. By investing in legal claims and legal services businesses, Cartiga continually improves its data advantage and value proposition to customers while delivering attractive non-correlated risk-adjusted returns(i). Cartiga believes that it is optimally positioned to drive growth by leveraging direct distribution and machine learning tools to both accelerate originations and deploy business optimization tools for law firms.

As a public company, the pro forma business plans to opportunistically consolidate the fragmented litigation finance market through the intended acquisition and integration of complementary companies and assets. This strategy is designed to enhance scale, operational efficiency and market presence, driving long-term growth for shareholders. 

Investment Highlights of Cartiga

  • Proven Track Record: More than $1.6 billion in lifetime originations and $1.6 billion in cash realizations since inception in 2000, demonstrating strong performance and profitability across market cycles.
  • Comprehensive Platform: A multi-product alternative asset management and direct origination platform investing in the U.S. litigation and legal services market.
  • Data-Driven Success: Advanced data analytics and bespoke technology enhance underwriting, risk assessment and portfolio management.
  • Large Addressable Market: Large $300 billion+ addressable market representing approximately 1.4% of US GDP with a limited number of scaled competitors and meaningfully underpenetrated by traditional capital providers.(ii)
  • Strategic Relationships: Longstanding partnerships with lawyers supported by 20-person in-house sales and business development team.
  • Robust Data Moat: Proprietary claims and outcomes database provides durable competitive differentiator.
  • Experienced Leadership: Led by seasoned, long-tenured professionals with domain expertise in the legal, finance and asset management industries.
  • Financial Strength: Profitable, well-capitalized, scalable business with diversified portfolio of non-correlated assets generating predictable shorter duration cash flows.
  • Institutional Backing: Supported by over $250 million in committed equity capital from blue chip investor base.

Other Key Metrics

  • Proprietary Database: Contains over 250,000 individual litigation-linked asset fundings diversified across 8,000+ unique lawyers and law firms
  • Investment Track Record: 20+ year track-record originating assets exhibiting non-correlated risk(iii) and outsized risk-adjusted returns versus traditional private credit(iv)
  • IT and Product Development Investment: Over $20 million invested since 2020
  • Team Size: Approximately 95 employees
  • Structured Finance Expertise: Four rated securitization transactions completed – three have been fully realized.

Leadership Commentary

"We view Cartiga's platform as an attractive alternative investment, offering a return profile that is uncorrelated with other asset classes. This sector is massive and rapidly expanding," said Mr. Vittorio Savoia, Co-CEO of Alchemy.

Mr. Mattia Tomba, Co-CEO of Alchemy, added, "We believe Cartiga and Alchemy make a compelling partnership. As funding, disclosure, and regulatory standards evolve, we expect the interest for publicly traded litigation finance asset management companies to grow. We believe a Nasdaq listing will put Cartiga in a leadership position in the industry by enhancing transparency, reducing the cost of capital, and expanding access to flexible funding. "

Cartiga's CEO, Mr. Sam Wathen, remarked, "Combining with Alchemy aligns perfectly with our goals. Leveraging a Nasdaq listing would enable Cartiga to establish new industry guidelines with full transparency and utilize its public currency to drive growth and acquire complementary businesses. Enhanced transparency would ultimately lower funding costs, benefiting companies like ours."

About Cartiga, LLC

Cartiga is a specialized alternative investment firm that leverages advanced data analytics to drive decision-making in the litigation finance sector. Cartiga combines capital with proprietary technology to help law firms and their clients achieve better litigation outcomes. The company applies a data-driven approach to underwriting, risk assessment and portfolio management, utilizing proprietary data, structured and unstructured legal and financial information, and continuously updated datasets from ongoing capital deployment. This iterative process enhances Cartiga's predictive capabilities and strengthens its competitive edge.

Advisor to Cartiga, LLC

B. Riley Securities is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Cartiga, LLC. 

About Alchemy Investments Acquisition Corp 1

Alchemy is a "special purpose acquisition company" or "SPAC," commonly known as a blank-check company, incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company for the purpose of completing a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, with a focus on companies acquiring, processing, analyzing, and utilizing data acquired from a variety of systems and sources.

Advisor to Alchemy Investments Acquisition Corp 1

Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, A Stifel Company, is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Alchemy Investments Acquisition Corp 1. 

Important Information and Where To Find It

This press release is provided for information purposes only and contains information with respect to a potential Business Combination described herein. If the Parties enter into definitive documentation regarding a Business Combination, a newly formed holding company intends to file relevant materials with the SEC, including a Registration Statement on Form S-4, that includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, and when available, a definitive proxy statement and final prospectus. Promptly after filing any definitive proxy statement with the SEC, Alchemy will mail the definitive proxy statement and a proxy card to each shareholder entitled to vote at the Extraordinary Meeting relating to the transaction. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF ALCHEMY ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION THAT ALCHEMY FILES WITH THE SEC IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ALCHEMY, CARTIGA AND THE BUSINESS COMBINATION. Any definitive proxy statement, preliminary proxy statement and other relevant materials in connection with the transaction (if and when they become available), and any other documents filed by Alchemy with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov).

Participants in the Solicitation

Alchemy and its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Alchemy's shareholders with respect to the Business Combination. A list of the names of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in Alchemy will be included in any proxy statement for the Business Combination and be available at www.sec.gov. Information about Alchemy's directors and executive officers and their ownership of ordinary shares is set forth in Alchemy's final prospectus, dated as of May 4, 2023, and filed with the SEC (File No. 333-68659) on May 5, 2023, as modified or supplemented by any Form 3 or Form 4 filed with the SEC since the date of such filing (the "Prospectus"). Additional information regarding the interests of the participants in the proxy solicitation will be included in the proxy statement pertaining to the proposed Business Combination when it becomes available. These documents can be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov).

Cartiga and its managers and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Alchemy in connection with the proposed Business Combination. A list of the names of such managers and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed Business Combination will be included in any proxy statement for the proposed Business Combination when it becomes available. 

Sources

i Source: As measured vs. US GDP published by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, S&P 500 and the Merrill Lynch High Yield Bond Index performance 

ii Source: GDP Figure based on the legal services market size as per the Beaureau of Economic Analysis. Underprenetration as measured based on the ratio of GDP contribution to US banking sector assets; US banking sector data as per the US Federal Reserve. 

iii Source: As measured vs. US GDP published by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, S&P 500 and the Merrill Lynch High Yield Bond Index performance 

iv Based on asset performance measured versus the Cliffwater Direct Lending Index (CDLI) for 12/31/2019 through 12/31/2024

Federal Judge Threatens Sanctions for Attorney Who Shared Netflix’s Source Code with Litigation Funder

By Harry Moran |

A patent infringement case being brought against one of the world’s largest streaming companies would on its face be considered a significant matter. However, this case may have added implications for the world of litigation funding, as a judge has indicated that sanctions may be imposed on an attorney who shared sensitive information with the case’s funder.  

Reporting by Bloomberg Law offers new insights into an ongoing patent lawsuit being brought against Netflix, as a federal judge looks set to impose sanctions on the plaintiff’s attorney for sharing the streaming service’s source code and company financial information with a litigation funder. The development came during a hearing in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, following Netflix’s complaint that attorney Bill Ramey shared information disclosure during discovery with AiPi LLC.

AiPi is the party that has funded the patent infringement case brought by Lauri Valjakka, a Finnish inventor who sued Netflix in 2022. AiPI Solutions’ website lists ‘IP Litigation Finance’ as one of the core services it offers to clients, which include corporate patent holders, law firms seeking alternative financing arrangements, and investors looking to invest in lawsuits.

Netflix’s complaint stems from allegations that Ramey shared information that was designated “attorneys eyes only” with AiPi, and that this information had been shared before Netflix had been informed of the funder’s involvement in the lawsuit. Sarah Piepmeier, an attorney at Perkins Coie representing Netflix, argued that having access to this sensitive company data “could influence their decisions to underwrite new cases or that could inspire them to bring new cases.”

Whilst Ramey tried to argue that the case’s protective order allowed for information to be shared with affiliates, and that the four lawyers at AiPi he had shared the information with fell under this designation, Judge Jon S. Tigar strongly disagreed with Ramey’s suggestion that this “is a situation of no harm”. Judge Tigar not only suggested that substantial “attorneys’ fees as a sanction are going to be appropriate”, he also said he was considering ordering Ramey to hand over any communications with the four individuals at AiPi. Furthermore, the judge indicated that he would be considering referring Ramey to a disciplinary body such as the California State Bar.

ASP Report Says Litigation Funding’s National Security Threat ‘Must be Taken Seriously’

By Harry Moran |

Among the criticisms leveled at the legal funding industry, one critique that has gained significant traction lately in the United States is the idea that the funding of patent infringement poses a unique risk to national security.

A new report released by the American Security Project (ASP) looks at the arguments around the use of third-party litigation funding in the United States, and whether its involvement in the legal system presents a threat to the country’s national security. ASP’s analysis draws on a variety of sources including public databases, a review of pre-existing literature on the subject, and interviews with individuals from both sides of funded cases.

Whilst the paper’s title, ‘National Security Implications of Foreign Third-Party Litigation Financing’, would suggest that this analysis covers the entire breadth of funded lawsuits, it is primarily focused on patent litigation which is regularly identified as a high risk area for national and economic security. The report’s contents include an overview of the potential risks around third-party funding, the competing arguments on its use, a series of findings from the research, and four public policy recommendations. 

The recommendations put forward by ASP include a universal disclosure requirement for funders, similar to those measures that have recently been introduced in several state legislatures. The paper also suggests that an additional disclosure should be required where a case ‘implicates national or economic security’, with courts then given special discovery rules to project sensitive information as part of this additional disclosure.

The last two recommendations take a wider scope, with one idea being the introduction of mandatory sanctions for those found to have disclosed sensitive information as part of these funded cases. ASP’s final recommendation calls for a comparative study of patent litigation in foreign courts, to assess whether funded cases in foreign courts are targeting U.S. economic assets or national security information.

The National Security Implications of Foreign Third-Party Litigation Financing report can be read in full here.

Should Courts Encourage Litigation Funding?

By Ken Rosen |

The following was contributed by Ken Rosen Esq, Founder of Ken Rosen P.C. Ken is a frequent contributor to legal journals on current topics of interest to the bankruptcy and restructuring industry.

In many Chapter 11 cases, the debtor’s estate holds valuable litigation claims, which can be a key source of recovery. However, pursuing these claims can be daunting when the defendant has substantially greater financial resources. Well-funded defendants may use aggressive litigation tactics to exploit the estate’s limited means.

Unsecured creditors, often receiving only token recoveries, may be hesitant to approve further legal spending. Debtor’s counsel, wary of nonpayment if litigation fails, may also be reluctant to pursue claims. Contingency fee arrangements can reduce estate risk, but they shift risk to counsel—particularly when facing a resource-rich defendant.

To gain creditor support, more than the committee counsel’s confidence may be needed. Litigation funding can bridge the gap. It provides capital to pursue claims without draining estate resources, helping to fulfill Chapter 11’s core goals: preserving going concern value and maximizing creditor recovery, as recognized by the Supreme Court.

Litigation funding is especially valuable when the estate lacks liquidity. It enables the debtor to pursue meritorious claims against stronger opponents, discouraging defense strategies aimed at exhausting the plaintiff through expensive discovery and motion practice.

The Funder’s Evaluation Process:

  1. Legal Merits – Assessing the strength of claims based on facts, evidence, and precedent.
  2. Recovery Potential – Estimating damages or settlement value to ensure adequate return.
  3. Litigation Costs – Forecasting expenses to trial or resolution.
  4. Risk Analysis – Evaluating the defendant’s ability to pay, jurisdictional issues, and delays.
  5. Independent Review –Funders conduct rigorous due diligence before committing capital.

A funder’s involvement serves as a “second opinion” validating the case. Their willingness to invest can bolster confidence in the claim’s merits and justify some estate contribution. It can serve as a soft endorsement of the litigation’s potential value. When a party seeks authorization for litigation funding it should be viewed by the Bankruptcy Court as weighing in favor of approval.

Whether or not funding is obtained, the terms of any arrangement should be redacted/sealed and remain confidential—shared only with the Court and key constituent counsel. The rationale for proceeding without funding should likewise remain undisclosed. Keeping defense counsel in the dark preserves strategic advantage.

Conclusion:

Litigation funding can be a powerful tool for Chapter 11 estates, enabling pursuit of valuable claims, minimizing financial strain, and supporting reorganization efforts. This strategy aligns with Chapter 11’s purpose and can significantly enhance the likelihood of a successful outcome. Key constituents and the court should recognize that.

Ramco’s Cristina Soler on the Benefits of Monetizing Arbitration Awards

By Harry Moran |

As LFJ covered yesterday, the availability of legal funding is having a significant impact on the world of arbitration, with funders offering a variety of services from financing the initial claim to supporting claimants through the enforcement of awards.

In an interview with Confilegal, Cristina Soler, CEO of Ramco Litigation Funding, discusses the growing use of award monetization in arbitral proceedings and the increasing adoption of litigation funding both in Spain and across Europe. Confilegal spoke with Soler at the 11th edition of the Open de Arbitraje in Madrid, where she participated in a panel discussion with Emma Morales (Simmons & Simmons), Damian Vallejo (Dunning Rievaman & Macdonald LLP), Carlos Iso (SACYR). Lourdes Martínez de Victoria Gómez (Departamento de Arbitrajes Internacionales), and María Rodríguez (ACCIONA).

In the interview, Soler highlights that the end of any arbitration proceedings is never marked simply with a party obtaining an award, as the enforcement of that award is often a long and expensive process. Soler explains that funders like Ramco can provide support in one of two ways: either by providing the financing to cover the legal costs of enforcement, or through the monetization of an award where it is sold or assigned to the funder for an upfront payment.

Soler emphasises that the main benefits of award monetization are the immediate provision of liquidity to the claimant and the mitigation of any risk involved in the complex enforcement process. She also goes on to explain that award monetization has become more sophisticated with different payment structures available and a growing secondary market where these awards are bought and sold.

More insights from Soler are available in the full interview on Confilegal’s website.

JurisTrade CEO Discusses Litigation Asset Marketplace Opportunities

By Harry Moran |

As LFJ covered in March of this year, JurisTrade launched the first phase of its Litigation Asset Marketplace offering over $70 million in litigation funding opportunities, with the aim of bridging the gap between available capital and active cases in need of financing.

In an interview with Global Finance, JurisTrade’s CEO, James Koutoulas discusses the company’s new marketplace, explaining the benefits it offers to both investors and plaintiffs who find themselves in need of additional funding during a case. 

Koutoulas describes the platform as “the first secondary marketplace for litigation assets”, with the marketplace designed to allow investors to buy and sell these opportunities just like tradeable securities. Koutoulas says that this will generate “two or three turns on these cases”, with the flexibility of this model allowing “investors to pick when they want to come in, like VC investors pick the A-round or C-round.”

Koutoulas also clarifies that the marketplace is not targeting retail investors, as the minimum stake is set at $500,000. Instead JurisTrade’s platform is focused on offering these opportunities to institutional investors and family offices, highlighting that due to the variety of cases “every investment is very bespoke.” 

Legal-Bay Launches INSTALL Funding: Monthly Financial Relief for Plaintiffs Awaiting Settlement

By Harry Moran |

Legal-Bay, a leading pre-settlement funding company, has introduced a game-changing financial solution for plaintiffs embroiled in active litigation. Their newly launched INSTALL funding contract offers clients the ability to receive structured monthly payments instead of a traditional one-time advance, easing the burden of everyday living expenses during the often lengthy legal process.

This innovative funding option addresses a growing need among plaintiffs who face significant financial strain while their cases are pending. With INSTALL funding, individuals can rely on predictable monthly disbursements designed to cover essential costs such as legal fees, medical bills, and everyday housing expenses, allowing them to focus on their case without the added pressure of missed bills or mounting debt.

Chris Janish, CEO of Legal-Bay, says, "Legal battles can be incredibly stressful, especially when they drag on for months or even years. We created INSTALL funding to provide ongoing financial stability for our customers when they need it the most, when they are stuck at home and can't work, but still need to have their bills paid on the first of the month."

INSTALL funding is one of Legal-Bay's most popular products, because lawyers know their clients cannot fight a case without cash flow coming in each month.

So, if you are a lawyer and have a client—or If you're a plaintiff yourself—in an existing lawsuit who needs an immediate INSTALL funding contract against an anticipated cash settlement award, you can apply HERE or call: 877.571.0405

Unlike standard bank loans which often involve large lump sums and steep repayment terms, INSTALL funding is tailored to meet real-life needs. Clients only draw what they require each month, which can significantly lower the total repayment after a case is settled. This targeted approach helps prevent excessive borrowing and encourages responsible financial planning throughout the litigation process.

By providing installation-based funding with client-friendly terms, Legal-Bay offers clear, flexible solutions to their customers' financial needs. The program is ideal for individuals involved in personal injury, slip and fall, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accident, Workers Comp. or 3rd party workers comp. claims or work injury claims, and many other types of cases.

Legal-Bay is one of the best legal funding companies in the industry, known for their helpful staff and quick turnaround. While sometimes pre-settlement funds are referred to as loans on lawsuit or lawsuit loans, there are no credit checks or collateral required for legal funding. The money is an immediate cash advance against a plaintiff's anticipated settlement award, not a conventional loan. The non-recourse lawsuit funding is risk-free, as the money doesn't need to be repaid should the recipient lose their case.

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

Gerchen Capital Partners Targets Corporate Monetizations and Late-Stage Cases with $600m Fund

By Harry Moran |

While some funders are looking towards the secondaries market as a way to expand their investment opportunities, one funder is moving in the opposite direction following the closing of its sixth fund. 

Reporting by Bloomberg Law covers the closing of a $600 million fund by Gerchen Capital Partners (GCP), with this latest fund representing a shift in the company’s strategy to expand its investments beyond the secondaries market. The new fund’s capital is set to be dedicated towards two key areas: monetizing litigation portfolios for corporations and funding late-stage or post-settlement matters.

Adam Gerchen, CEO of GCP, spoke with Bloomberg Law about the closing of the company’s sixth fund and explained that the funder’s original focus on secondaries was about addressing “this unmet market need.” On the pivot towards corporate monetization, Kelly Daley, managing director at GCP, suggested that it can be a valuable offering due to the level of instability in the financial market, arguing that “the more uncertainty there is in the market, the more appealing certainty is”.

The article also highlighted GCP’s growth over the past three years since it was founded, with around $1.9 billion in assets raised over that time. The growth has been bolstered by the recruitment of experienced industry professionals, like Daley, from other funders including Burford Capital. Daley explained her decision to move to GCP from Burford as being driven by the culture of the growing funder, saying: “The ability to be in a more nimble entrepreneurial environment was appealing to me.”

Burford Reports 1Q25 Financial Results

By Harry Moran |

Burford Capital Limited ("Burford"), the leading global finance and asset management firm focused on law, today announces its unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 ("1Q25"). The full detailed presentation of Burford's 1Q25 financial results can be viewed at http://investors.burfordcapital.com.

Burford's Chief Executive Officer Christopher Bogart commented:

"Burford delivered robust first quarter results in what is typically a lighter seasonal period, demonstrating the continued momentum of our portfolio. Both new business and realization activity were well above first quarter levels in recent years, establishing a great start to the year. We believe the uncorrelated nature of legal finance positions our business to perform through the volatile and uncertain market environment that investors face today. We remain focused on the core drivers of shareholder value discussed at our recent 2025 Investor Day: Growing the platform, turning the current portfolio into cash realizations and generating attractive returns on capital."  

Burford will hold a conference call for investors and analysts at 9.00am EDT / 2.00pm BST on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. For swift access to the conference call at the time of the event, pre-registration is encouraged at https://registrations.events/direct/Q4I881854. The dial-in numbers for the conference call are +1 (646) 307-1963 (USA) or +1 (800) 715-9871 (USA & Canada toll free) / +44 (0)20 3481 4247 (UK) or +44 800 260 6466 (UK toll free), and the access code is 88185. To minimize the risk of delayed access, participants are urged to dial into the conference call by 8.40am EDT / 1.40pm BST.

A live audio webcast and replay will also be available at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/989634259, and pre-registration at that link is encouraged.

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 works with companies and law firms around the world from its global network of offices.

For more information, please visit www.burfordcapital.com.

Ciarb Releases Proposed Guidelines on Third-Party Funding

By Harry Moran |

With the growing prominence of third-party funding in arbitration proceedings, industry bodies are keen to establish best practices for those involved in funded matters, and to increase the broader levels of knowledge among all members of the wider arbitration community.

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) has today announced the release of its Proposed Guideline on Third-Party Funding, and has opened a call for comment to source feedback from members of the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) community. 

Ciarb’s guideline is designed to support those involved in arbitration matters to navigate funding arrangements, and to assist all parties and arbitral tribunals to facilitate effective case management of funded proceedings. The proposed guideline is split into two parts, with the first section dedicated to providing a thorough overview of the funding process, whilst the latter part covers all aspects of arbitration proceedings that involve a funded party.

The call for comment is open to both Ciarb members and non-members, with the deadline to submit feedback set for 17 June 2025. The feedback form can be accessed here.

Drafting of the guideline was undertaken by Mercy McBrayer, Head of Arbitration Professional Practice at Ciarb, and Mohamed Sadiq, PPP Intern at Ciarb, and the drafting group committee was co-chaired by Philippa Charles (Twenty Essex) and Dr Hasan Tahsin Azizagaoglu (Bench Walk Advisors). The drafting group’s members also included: Christopher Bloch (Squire Patton Boggs), Julian Chamberlayne (Stewarts), Ayse Yazir (Bench Walk Advisors), Susan Dunn (Harbour), Napoleão Casado Filho (Clasen | Casado Filho | Longo | Caribé), Camilla Godman (Omni Bridgeway), Dana MacGrath (MacGrath Arbirtration), Viren Mascarenhas (Milbank), Kathryn Sanger (Herbert Smith Freehills), and Sarah Vasani (CMS).

Dr Hasan Tahsin Azizagaoglu described the guideline as “a clear and accessible roadmap for legal practitioners”, and noted that it is “unique in its commitment to full transparency”. Philippa Charles explained that although the drafting group “contains representation from practitioners and funders”, the call for comment aims to “ensure that a multiplicity of viewpoints on these matters is contained in the Guideline to make it as useful as possible.”

FirmPilot Closes $11.7 Million in Total Funding with Strategic Investments From Legal and Marketing Tech Leaders

By Harry Moran |

FirmPilot, the AI marketing engine for law firms, today announced that Thomson Reuters Ventures and HubSpot Ventures have joined as investors, backing the company's mission to help law firms generate more and higher-value clients with AI rather than rely on traditional, manual marketing tactics. This strategic funding increases FirmPilot's total funding to $11.7M, following the company's Series A round in 2024 led by Blumberg Capital, an early investor in marketing tech leaders such as Braze (Nasdaq: BRZE) and DoubleVerify (NYSE: DV).

"We are delighted to partner with FirmPilot," said Tamara Steffens, Managing Director of Thomson Reuters Ventures. "They have built an AI product that empowers law firms to effectively communicate their value proposition and enhance their visibility to potential clients. The overwhelmingly positive customer feedback they have received speaks volumes, and we are excited to support this exceptional team."

FirmPilot uses AI to empower law firms to efficiently increase online visibility and grow inbound interest from prospective clients searching online for legal help. Every hour, more than 1,000 people in the U.S. search online for legal help, and 75% of people searching online don't scroll past the first page of results. Law firms, as well as other services-based SMBs such as dentists, plumbers, electricians, veterinarians, and chiropractors, rely on online search and other digital marketing channels as their primary source of customer acquisition, and FirmPilot's all-in-one solution has enabled these businesses to thrive with AI data-driven SEO, PPC, and social media that does not involve the manual guesswork of traditional marketing agencies.

For the 425K+ law firms in the U.S., legacy practices of retaining traditional marketing agencies or manually managing marketing channels are often costly, low ROI and not built for busy, non-marketing professionals.

In just the past year, nearly one hundred modern law firms across the U.S. adopted an AI-driven approach to marketing with FirmPilot to:

  • Generate 180%+ more leads using data-informed web content and ads
  • Improve client and case quality with intelligent targeting
  • Reduce cost and wasted time by eliminating the manual guesswork of traditional law firm marketing

"What excites us about FirmPilot is their focus on solving a critical pain point for small business owners end-to-end. FirmPilot has demonstrated the ability to deliver cost-effective leads to law firms with minimal involvement, and we're confident in their ability to bring this to new industries over time," said Adam Coccari, Managing Director of HubSpot Ventures. "We're looking forward to working with the FirmPilot team as they continue empowering SMBs to drive growth through AI-powered marketing."

FirmPilot's proprietary AI legal marketing engine takes an "X-ray" of a firm's competitive landscape, analyzing trends and patterns in the SEO, Ads, and other digital marketing activity of a client's competitors. FirmPilot's clients have outperformed and outranked other firms to increase lead volume and improve lead quality. The company's proprietary AI knowledge model learns from a comprehensive database of more than 3,000+ relevant legal cases and has analyzed more than 5,000,000 pieces of content used by law firms. With a growing and evolving set of data, the FirmPilot AI marketing engine continues to learn, train and improve its algorithms in high-demand consumer law areas such as personal injury, workers' compensation, family (divorce, custody), immigration and criminal defense. Partnering with Thomson Reuters and HubSpot Ventures provides a huge opportunity to expand FirmPilot's data strategy for its AI models.

"It's been incredible to witness the shift in the legal industry, where firm owners are no longer just focused on practicing law or building successful firms—they also aim to build great companies and lead not only as attorneys but also as CEOs," said Jake Soffer, founder and CEO of FirmPilot. "This evolution demands that they move faster and more strategically, and the suite of AI tools now available to the legal field is enabling firms to accomplish exponentially more in a fraction of the time it once took."

About FirmPilot

FirmPilot is the leader in AI Legal Marketing. FirmPilot's patent-pending AI Legal Marketing Execution Engine provides companies with a modern way to grow their firm with strategies built entirely on data and intelligence. The company is backed by leading investors such as Blumberg Capital, HubSpot Ventures, Thomson Reuters Ventures, Valor Ventures, SaaS Ventures, FJ Labs, and Connexa Capital. Learn more about FirmPilot: www.FirmPilot.com.

Alpha Modus Holdings Enters into Funding Agreement in Connection with Broadcom Patent Infringement Lawsuit

By Harry Moran |

Alpha Modus Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMOD), a leader in AI-driven retail technology , today announced it has executed a patent monetization and funding agreement with Alpha Modus Ventures, LLC, the entity that recently filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Broadcom Inc on April 22, 2025.

Under the terms of the agreement, Alpha Modus Holdings, Inc. (AMOD) will fund litigation efforts related to the enforcement by Alpha Modus Ventures, LLC (an entity controlled by the CEO of Alpha Modus Holdings, Inc., William Alessi) of U.S. Patent Nos. 11,108,591; 11,303,473; and 11,310,077, which cover breakthrough technologies for transporting Fibre Channel data over Ethernet—a technology the company believes is being broadly infringed by Broadcom and others.

"This transaction underscores our commitment to unlocking value through aggressive IP enforcement and strategic funding structures," said William Alessi, CEO of Alpha Modus Holdings, Inc. "We believe this case against Broadcom will be transformative in both financial and strategic terms."

Importantly, the parties have also executed an option agreement granting Alpha Modus Holdings, Inc., the right to acquire 100% of Alpha Modus Ventures, LLC. The acquisition, if completed, will further consolidate patent ownership under AMOD and strengthen its position in ongoing and future enforcement actions. The exercise of the option will be subject to shareholder approval and other conditions, and there is no guaranty that the option will be exercised.

"This marks yet another major milestone in our strategic roadmap," Alessi added. "Alpha Modus has demonstrated its ability to identify valuable intellectual property, launch enforcement campaigns, and translate litigation into shareholder value. This agreement should continue that momentum."

The litigation against Broadcom is now actively underway in the United States Western District Texas Court and represents one of several high-stakes actions brought or funded by Alpha Modus. The company anticipates additional suits and partnerships will follow as part of its broader strategy to assert and monetize its growing IP portfolio.

For more information and to access Alpha Modus’ press room, visit: https://alphamodus.com/press-room/

For more information about Alpha Modus and its portfolio of innovations, please visit alphamodus.com.

About Alpha Modus

Alpha Modus is a technology company specializing in artificial intelligence solutions for the retail industry. Alpha Modus develops and licenses data-driven technologies that enhance consumer engagement and optimize in-store experiences. Headquartered in Cornelius, North Carolina, Alpha Modus is committed to leading the evolution of retail through innovation and strategic partnerships.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Alpha Modus’s actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates, and projections, and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Alpha Modus’s expectations with respect to future performance.

Alpha Modus cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Alpha Modus does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Omni Bridgeway CEO Highlights Significance of Continuation Fund Transaction

By Harry Moran |

As LFJ reported last month, the finalisation of a deal between Ares Management and Omni Bridgeway to establish a new fund has been hailed by both parties as a landmark and transformative transaction for the legal funding industry.

In an article on Secondaries Investor, Omni Bridgeway’s chief executive, Raymond van Hulst, discusses the significance of the recent closing of its continuation fund transaction with Ares Management. The completion of the Fund 9 transaction, which saw Ares take a 70% interest in the fund in return for a cash investment of A$320, is according to van Hulst, the first example of a continuation vehicle being utilised by a litigation funder.

The article also provides some insights into the unique opportunities that the Fund 9 transaction represented for Omni Bridgeway. Combatting the outside perception that the way litigation funders operate is the equivalent of “marking your own homework”, van Hulst stressed the importance of having a third-party like Ares assess the underlying portfolio of investments. He explained that having Ares “do deep diligence on a large pool of assets, validate the book, validate our methodology”, represented an important objective for the litigation funder as part of the transaction.

In terms of mitigating risk for Ares, van Hulst also noted that the portfolio was reasonably protected from localised regulatory changes through its geographical diversification. On the inherent issues associated with the prolonged duration of legal cases that affects funders’ investments, van Hulst also said that Ares “built in through the waterfall some protection for excessive duration”.

More insights can be found in the full interview with van Hulst on Secondaries Investor’s website.

Emmerson Submits Request for Arbitration in Dispute with Morocco

By Harry Moran |

As LFJ reported in March, an investor-state dispute over the Khemisset Potash Project in Morocco had continued to progress as the mining company bringing the claim began to draw down the first tranche of its litigation funding.

An announcement released by Emmerson Plc revealed that the company has now officially submitted its Request for Arbitration (RFA) to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Emmerson’s claim for compensation against the Government of the Kingdom of Morroco centre on the government’s alleged breaches of a bilateral investment treaty between the United Kingdom and Morrocco.

As previously covered by LFJ’s reporting, Emmerson’s claim is being supported by an unnamed litigation funder who are providing up to $11.2 million under a capital provision agreement. In this latest announcement, Emmerson once again emphasised that the funding agreement will cover all of the legal costs for the arbitration, as well as covering ‘a significant portion of G&A costs’. 

Following the submission of the RFA, Emmerson said that it is working with its legal team at Boies Schiller Flexner on the formation of the arbitration tribunal and preparing its formal Memorial submission. The company explained that the next phase of the arbitration process is expected to take around two years, which will include the constitution of the tribunal, the filing of written submissions and the evidentiary hearing.

Graham Clarke, Managing Director of Emmerson PLC offered the following comment on the submission: "The completion and lodgement of the RFA with ICSID is a significant step and marks the formal commencement of the litigation process. The Company is working closely with our lawyers at BSF and as a group we remain confident in the merits of this case. We look forward to providing further updates in due course".