CHICAGO– Longford Capital today announced the opening of its office in Dallas, Texas, and has recruited a senior litigator and trial lawyer to head the expansion.
John E. Garda has joined Longford Capital as Managing Director and Head of the Dallas Office. Immediately before joining Longford Capital, Mr. Garda was the Managing Partner of the Dallas office of K&L Gates, a Global 20 law firm, and served on the firm’s Advisory Council. Throughout his 25-year career practicing law, Mr. Garda focused his practice on representing companies involved in complex commercial litigation and disputes.
Mr. Garda represented clients in complex commercial litigation, securities litigation, insolvency litigation, and business disputes involving a variety of industries including health care, real estate, technology and outsourcing and consumer products. He has appeared before state and federal trial courts, state and federal appellate courts, arbitration associations, and administrative boards around the nation. Mr. Garda served as legal advisor to several corporate Board of Directors and Board Committees. Mr. Garda also represented clients in corporate governance matters, SEC investigations, and other internal investigations.
Mr. Garda earned a B.A from the University of Delaware and his law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School where he distinguished himself as the Managing Editor of the Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics and Public Policy. Before attending law school, Mr. Garda practiced as a Certified Public Accountant with the public accounting firm now known as Ernst & Young in New York.
“For many years, Longford Capital has collaborated with leading law firms in Texas,” said William P. Farrell, Jr., co-founder and managing director of Longford Capital. “Some of our most successful investments have involved Texas companies. And, the legal market in Dallas has been thriving for several years. Many of our trusted law firm partners have expanded into Dallas. The launch of our Dallas office is a natural progression of the great relationships and success that we have enjoyed in Texas. It was critical, however, for us to recruit John Garda to join us.”
“John possesses the skill and experience that we value most at Longford Capital,” said Mr. Farrell. “He has run the Dallas office for K&L Gates since 2015 and has been a part of firm-wide management of one of the largest law firms in the world. His contacts within the business community and legal community in Dallas and nationally are second to none. And, he knows our business, having served as an Independent Advisor to Longford Capital for almost five years. Longford Capital expects that the Texas legal and business communities will continue to be valued partners of Longford Capital.”
“K&L Gates has an outstanding globally integrated platform filled with tremendous lawyers that provide top-notch client service,” said Mr. Garda. “As part of my incredible experience at the firm, I have had the privilege to assist with its management and operations for the past several years; my partners and I have also had the privilege of representing Longford Capital in connection with the evaluation of several investment opportunities.”
“Through this process, my partners and I have been able to really get to know Longford Capital and its team of professionals,” said Mr. Garda. “Through our working experience, it became obvious to me that Longford Capital is the gold standard in the commercial litigation funding industry. I am honored to be joining Longford Capital and very excited to open the Dallas office for this industry-leading organization.”
About Longford Capital
Longford Capital is a leading private investment company that provides capital solutions to leading law firms, public and private companies, universities, government agencies, and other entities involved in large-scale, commercial legal disputes. Typically, Longford Capital funds attorneys’ fees and other costs necessary to pursue meritorious legal claims in return for a share of a favorable settlement or award. The firm manages a diversified portfolio and considers investments in subject matter areas where it has developed considerable expertise, including, business-to-business contract claims, antitrust and trade regulation claims, intellectual property claims (including patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret), fiduciary duty claims, fraud claims, claims in bankruptcy and liquidation, domestic and international arbitrations and a variety of others.
