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CFLF Announces Relaunch of Campaign to Reform Consumer Lawsuit Lending 

CFLF Announces Relaunch of Campaign to Reform Consumer Lawsuit Lending 

Consumers for Fair Legal Funding (CFLF) — a coalition of community groups, social justice organizations, and business interests across New York — today announced the relaunch of its push for commonsense reform of the unregulated and predatory lawsuit lending industry.  The coalition’s founding members have been joined by two of the best-known ride-hailing companies — Uber and Lyft. Uber is the nation’s largest insurance consumer and is committed to ensuring both affordable coverage and safety for drivers and riders alike.  “Uber drivers operate in every corner of the state and are critical to helping New Yorkers get around, while also playing an important role in supporting the local economy,” said Hayley Prim, Senior Policy Manager at Uber. “The unchecked lawsuit lending industry is driving insurance costs up, consuming an ever-larger share of fares, and making it harder for drivers to earn a living. Lawmakers need to establish some simple rules to reign in lenders and protect hardworking individuals statewide.”  “Steadily rising insurance costs are the biggest hurdle to keeping rides affordable and paying drivers more,” said Megan Sirjane-Samples, Director of Public Policy at Lyft. “If we can curb — or better yet, reduce — these costs, the savings are going to go directly back into drivers’ pockets and help lower fares. Without putting in place some commonsense regulations, the lawsuit lending industry will continue to boom, and consumers and hardworking New Yorkers will pay the price.”  Over the past decade, lawsuit lending — also known as third-party litigation funding, litigation financing, or car accident loans — has grown into a multibillion-dollar global industry, with lenders funded by deep-pocketed hedge funds and foreign interests. A 2022 study found that increased litigation, fueled by unchecked and unregulated lawsuit lending, contributes to rising insurance costs. That’s something New York, with the nation’s second-highest average insurance premiums, can’t afford.  CFLF was launched in 2022 to push for lawsuit lending reform that would preserve an important funding stream for vulnerable individuals in need of funds — often to cover medical bills or living expenses as they await the outcome of legal action — while protecting them from unscrupulous lenders. CFLF supports both an interest rate cap on lawsuit loans and transparency in the lawsuit lending process to expose conflicts of interest and create a level playing field for all.  Unbanked and underbanked individuals — frequently members of communities of color — are often targeted by lenders who promise them fast cash by borrowing against expected legal settlements. With no limit on interest rate caps, lenders can charge up to 100 percent — or more — and borrowers can end up owing most or all of their eventual settlement or jury award to a lender, ending up with very little of their settlement or even in debt.  “If the governor and lawmakers are truly committed to a robust and equitable consumer protection agenda this session, they will pass lawsuit lending reform,” said the Rev. Kirsten John Foy, faith leader and founder of CFLF member Arc of Justice, who is himself a lawsuit lending victim. “At a time when New Yorkers are struggling and the state faces a budget deficit, this issue is an easy way to protect vulnerable individuals — at no additional cost to the taxpayers.”  Lawsuit lending firms are expanding in New York — one of the four most attractive states for those looking to invest in the industry. Unprincipled lenders have been known to pursue anyone without a financial safety net, even taking advantage of unhoused and wrongly convicted New Yorkers.  To learn more about CFLF and efforts to enact commonsense reforms on lawsuit lending, visit https://fairlegalfunding.org/.
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Karyn Cerulli Joins High Rise Financial to Bolster PI Funding

By John Freund |

High Rise Financial has added industry veteran Karyn Cerulli as Regional Vice President of Sales, deepening the Los-Angeles-based funder’s reach into the personal-injury bar. Cerulli spent more than a decade with FindLaw and Thomson Reuters, where she partnered with firms on digital marketing and business-development strategies. In her new role she pivots from lead generation to liquidity, positioning High Rise’s non-recourse advances as a client-care tool for plaintiffs’ firms facing lengthy litigation timelines.

A post on LinkedIn sets out Cerulli’s agenda: hands-on attorney support, a “best rate guarantee,” and white-glove service that places “zero pressure” on case strategy while delivering cash within days. Cerulli frames High Rise as a complement rather than a competitor to existing funders, inviting firms to keep her on standby as a “second option” or safety net when primary partners stall or pricing shifts.

The move comes amid rapid growth for High Rise, which secured a $100 million senior credit facility late last year to expand its pre-settlement portfolio and medical-lien program. The funder touts 24-hour approvals, no credit checks, and repayment only from a successful resolution—features that resonate with Cerulli’s long-time focus on consumer-friendly legal services. With her network of plaintiff-side marketers and case managers, the company hopes to accelerate origination across high-volume auto and premises claims.

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

By John Freund |

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

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

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

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

Mayfair Legal Launches Wildfire Support Program for Plaintiffs

By John Freund |

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

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

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

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