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Omni Bridgeway APAC team expands and announces senior appointments

Omni Bridgeway is delighted to announce new arrivals to its growing team in Asia, reinforcing the company’s leading position as the largest and most recognised dispute finance team in the market. We also congratulate senior colleagues on their promotions.


We welcome Eloise Matsui as Investment Manager. Eloise joins us from Stephenson Harwood where she was a partner in the restructuring and insolvency team in Hong Kong, and previously King & Wood Mallesons where she was a member of the litigation and regulatory team. Eloise brings a wealth of expertise in restructuring, insolvency and cross-border litigation and has acted for foreign, listed and private companies, creditors and insolvency practitioners across the breadth of restructuring, insolvency, enforcement and associated litigation scenarios.

Mitch Dearness joins our team as Investment Manager, bringing expertise in arbitration and cross-border litigation, with particular experience in the infrastructure, mining and energy sectors. Mitchell joins us from Herbert Smith Freehills where he was a Senior Associate in the Singapore disputes team.

Kristen Smith (Melbourne) and Ewen McNee (Sydney) have been promoted to Senior Investment Managers, and Niall Watson-Dunne’s role as Investment Manager (Sydney) expands in recognition of his case management responsibilities. We acknowledge their combined extensive experience in legal finance and valuable role in the company’s development. Cheng-Yee Khong (Hong Kong) has been appointed Senior Relationship Manager, responsible for new case origination and relationship management across jurisdictions.

“Our expansion is in direct response to the market’s flourishing demand for our financial solutions, and reflects our ability to attract leading talent. We are thrilled to welcome Eloise and Mitch to our wonderful team and further expand our services to clients.” Tom Glasgow, Managing Director and Co-Chief Investment Officer (APAC), Portfolio Manager – Global International Arbitration

“Congratulations to colleagues on well-deserved promotions. It is the talent and hard work of our people that results in Omni Bridgeway being consistently recognised as the leading legal finance team.” Oliver Gayner, Managing Director and Co-Chief Investment Officer (APAC).

ABOUT OMNI BRIDGEWAY

Omni Bridgeway is the global leader in legal finance and risk management, offering dispute finance from case inception through to post-judgment enforcement and recovery. Omni Bridgeway is listed on the ASX and has operations around the world.

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Announcements Consumer

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.

Announcements Regulatory Issues

LionFish Updates Model Documents in Response to CJC Report

By John Freund |

LionFish Litigation Finance Ltd has released a new suite of model litigation funding documents, updating its original set from February 2021. The revision comes on the heels of the Civil Justice Council's (CJC) Final Report on Litigation Funding, issued on 2 June 2025, which calls for a regulatory structure informed by best practices, including key principles published by the European Law Institute (ELI) in October 2024.

A LionFish press release details that the updated suite incorporates several of the ELI Principles (notably 4-12) and broader CJC recommendations, except where doing so would require legislative or procedural reform. LionFish's goal, according to Managing Director Tets Ishikawa, is not to dictate market norms but to foster industry-wide standardisation and efficiency. This proactive move is also intended to spark further collaboration between funders, insurers, and legal practitioners to develop trade practices akin to those in mature financial markets, such as those promoted by the Loan Market Association and the International Swaps and Derivatives Association.

The new suite includes three core documents: a litigation funding agreement, a priorities deed to define proceeds distribution, and an assignment deed for insurance benefits. Notably, LionFish has also added documentation for co-investment arrangements, reflecting a growing trend in syndicated funding deals. The funder has already closed seven such transactions.

Managing Director Tanya Lansky emphasised that while litigation funding remains complex, making documentation public enhances transparency and facilitates quicker deal closings—an essential factor for sustaining market growth.

As litigation finance continues to mature, this move by LionFish highlights a shift toward professionalisation and standardisation. With regulators increasingly focused on transparency and fairness, such initiatives may set a de facto benchmark for others in the industry. The question remains: will other funders follow suit, or will regulatory mandates be needed to compel alignment?

Announcements Commercial Legal Innovation

Backlit Capital Solutions Launches Legal Finance Consultancy

By John Freund |

Backlit Capital Solutions has announced the launch of its full-service legal finance consultancy. The firm aims to provide comprehensive funding solutions for legal claims, offering services that include litigation finance, arbitration funding, and judgment enforcement strategies.

An article in PR Newswire states that Backlit Capital Solutions is positioning itself as a comprehensive provider in the legal finance sector, aiming to serve a diverse clientele that includes claimants, law firms, lenders, and investors. The firm's service offerings encompass litigation finance, arbitration funding, and judgment enforcement strategies, indicating a broad approach to legal funding solutions.

The launch of Backlit Capital Solutions reflects a growing trend in the legal finance industry, where firms are expanding their services to address the multifaceted needs of legal claimants and their representatives. By offering a suite of services under one roof, Backlit Capital Solutions aims to streamline the funding process and provide tailored solutions to its clients.

As the legal finance landscape continues to evolve, the entry of firms like Backlit Capital Solutions underscores the increasing demand for specialized financial services in the legal sector. Their comprehensive approach may set a new standard for how legal finance consultancies operate, potentially influencing the strategies of existing and emerging players in the market.