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Validity Finance Expands into California with Addition of Former Covington & Burling Litigator Mark Chen and Several Distinguished Advisors

Leading litigation funder Validity Finance  announced it has expanded to California, adding experienced litigator Mark Chen as portfolio counsel in Los Angeles.  Mr. Chen was previously special counsel with Covington & Burling in LA, representing clients in complex commercial disputes, including major intellectual property cases in the entertainment sector. In his new role, he will help assess Validity’s funding opportunities with law firms and businesses in Southern California and the West Coast.


Validity also named as senior advisors two high-profile California litigators, Thomas J. Nolan and J. Thomas Hannan. Mr. Nolan is trial counsel in the Los Angeles office of Pearson, Simon & Warshaw; Mr. Hannan is of counsel to Bartko Zankel Bunzel & Miller in San Francisco. In their new advisory roles, they will assist Validity in furthering relationships with law firms and entities in need of litigation finance for commercial disputes.

Additionally, Validity appointed noted litigation valuation expert Gene Phillips as a special advisor. The L.A.-based Mr. Phillips will assist Validity in quantitative analysis, damages valuation and strategic relationship-building. Mr. Philips is CEO of PF2 Securities, which provides research and expert witnesses in large-scale financial disputes.

With its latest expansion coinciding with the firm’s fourth anniversary, Validity has achieved a national footprint, with offices in New York, Houston, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles.

“We’re excited to establish a presence in Southern California, one of the country’s most robust legal markets and home to some of the nation’s busiest civil court venues,” said Validity CEO Ralph Sutton.

“We’ve previously collaborated with Los Angeles-based trial firms in funding successful matters and the time was right to plant our flag here,” he added. “We’re especially pleased to bring on Mark Chen from Covington to enhance our LA operations. He brings a strong track record representing both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes cases, including many high-profile matters.

While at Covington & Burling, Mr. Chen litigated matters for clients across a range of industries, including tech, healthcare and entertainment. His representations included multiple matters for the U.S. Olympic Committee, Sony Music Entertainment, and others.

Mr. Chen graduated summa cum laude from Cornell Law School, where he was an editor of the Cornell Law Review, and later clerked for Hon. Stanley Marcus, Senior U.S. Circuit Judge with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Mr. Chen holds a B.A. in business administration from the University of California, Berkeley.

New Senior Advisors Tom Nolan and Tom Hannan

Commenting on the appointment of Messrs. Nolan and Hannan as senior advisors, Mr. Sutton said, “Tom and Tom are both veteran California trial lawyers who have served as lead counsel in numerous major cases. They bring important perspective, expertise and broad relationships based on decades of successful trial practice. We’re fortunate to welcome them as senior advisors as we grow our West Coast presence.”

A fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, Mr. Nolan is one of the nation’s preeminent trial lawyers, with broad experience in complex commercial disputes including class actions, antitrust, fraud, contract, and intellectual property matters. His extensive trial record includes winning jury verdicts of more than $1billion for his clients and defeating claims exceeding $15 billion asserted against his clients.

Mr. Nolan started his career in public service as a federal prosecutor, during which time he served as the chief of fraud and special prosecutions in the Los Angeles U.S. Attorney’s Office. He then spent nearly 30 years in big law at Howrey, Skadden and Latham & Watkins before joining Pearson, Simon & Warshaw in 2020.

Mr. Hannan is an accomplished trial lawyer with a national reputation and noted success representing both plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial cases.  Mr. Hannan served as judicial law clerk to renowned US district judge Alfonso J. Zirpoli in the Northern District of California. He practiced law for over 40 years with his equally well-known partner Ron Lovitt at Lovitt & Hannan. Together, they successfully litigated a wide variety of professional negligence, fraud and complex commercial matters.

New Special Advisory Role for Gene Phillips

Commenting on Gene Phillips’ addition to Validity’s distinguished roster of outside advisors, Mr. Sutton said, “While the law firms and clients with whom we work are the ones ultimately litigating our funded matters – whether bringing cases or negotiating settlements – it’s essential that our due diligence includes strong economic and data-driven analysis in helping us deploy our capital. That process will benefit tremendously from the contributions of Gene Phillips as special advisor. Gene is one of the industry’s leading litigation experts, and his large network of lawyers and experts will add strategic depth to Validity”. Mr. Phillips holds a BSc degree in mathematics and applied mathematics, and a BSc Hons degree in the Mathematics of Financial Derivatives, from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.

About Validity

Validity is a commercial litigation finance company that provides non-recourse investments for a wide variety of commercial disputes. Validity’s mission is to make a meaningful difference in our clients’ experience of the legal system. We focus on fairness, innovation, and clarity. For more, visit www.validityfinance.com.

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Manolete Partners Announces New Revolving Credit Facility with HSBC Bank

By Harry Moran |

Manolete Partners Plc (AIM:MANO), the leading UK-listed insolvency litigation financing company, is pleased to announce it has signed a new Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF") with its existing provider, HSBC UK Bank Plc ( "HSBC"). 

The new RCF provides Manolete with the same level of facility as the previous arrangement, at £17.5m. However, the margin charged to Manolete by HSBC on the new RCF is at a reduced rate of 4.0% (previously 4.7%) over the Sterling Overnight Index Average (SONIA) and has a reduced non-utilisation fee, from 1.88% to 1.40%. 

The new RCF is a 3.25-year facility with an initial maturity of 27 June 2028. Manolete has the option to further extend the facility on its current terms by an additional year. 

The covenants remain unchanged except for the Asset Cover covenant which has been relaxed for the next six months. 

Steven Cooklin, CEO commented: "We are delighted to have secured a new long-term commitment to the business from HSBC, which is testament to the strong partnership we have established since 2018. The improved terms of the facility demonstrate confidence in the Manolete business." 

This announcement contains inside information as defined in Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014 ("MAR"). 

Angeion Group Expands Mass Tort Litigation Management Capabilities Through Merger with Case Works

By Harry Moran |

Angeion Group (“Angeion”), the industry leader in end-to-end group litigation support, announced today its merger with Case Works, a premier provider of case data management solutions, including client engagement, medical record retrieval, medical review, and inventory analysis. Neutral, but never passive, this strategic integration of Case Works reinforces Angeion’s forward thinking approach to providing seamless tech-enabled support for complex litigation firms and leading law departments, with efficiency and precision.

The merger of Angeion and Case Works follows majority investments into both companies by private equity firm Renovus Capital Partners (“Renovus”) in 2024. Angeion also acquired bankruptcy administration solutions provider Donlin Recano in late 2024. Renovus worked alongside the companies’ founders and management teams to unify the businesses and deliver a seamless experience for clients and employees throughout the integration.

Case Works has earned a reputation of excellence by ensuring accuracy, completeness, and applicability of case data to support legal requirements. By combining their core capabilities with Angeion’s advanced technology and data-driven approach, this merger further solidifies Angeion’s position as the most trusted partner for navigating complex, high-stakes litigation and settlements.

Effective large-scale litigation and settlements rely on comprehensive, well-organized data and the ability to apply that data effectively within the context of a particular project. Combining Case Works’ proven excellence in capturing and managing critical case information with Angeion Group’s expertise in technology, process efficiency and claims management, provides a more structured, more transparent, and more effective approach to large-scale litigation and settlement management.

“Case Works brings deep expertise and a proven track record of supporting firms with large data and medical record retrieval needs. They are known for their dedication to precision, care and bedside manner,” said Steven Weisbrot, CEO of Angeion Group. “Together, we are raising the bar for what clients can expect—faster, more accurate processes and a commitment to white glove service.”

Angeion Group and Case Works share a common vision: to set the new standard for how large-scale litigation and group settlement support can combine technological efficiency with thoughtful human interaction. Both organizations are driven by a commitment to innovation, precision, and efficiency and are mindful that litigants should expect and receive compassion and respect throughout the group litigation process. This merger will elevate industry standards and ensure that all parties, their council, and the courts benefit from a more streamlined, thoughtful and effective process.

“We’re excited to join forces with Angeion Group,” said Susan Barfield, Founder of Case Works. “Their commitment to innovation and client service aligns perfectly with our own, and we look forward to delivering even greater value to the firms and clients we support.”

“We’re honored to have partnered with these leading companies, building upon our strong track record in tech-enabled legal services,” added Lee Minkoff, Managing Director at Renovus. “We’d also like to thank founders Steve Weisbrot and Susan Barfield for their leadership throughout this game changing merger for the group litigation support industry.”

Angeion remains steadfast in its mission to completely modernize and optimize complex litigation management to the benefit of all stakeholders.

About Case Works

Case Works is the leading provider of tech-enabled litigation support solutions to the country’s premier plaintiff law firms. Based in Austin, Texas, the Company was created with a single mission: To Help Lawyers Help People. Case Works provides a full suite of case management services including claims qualification, intake, medical records retrieval & review, case development, and ongoing plaintiff engagement.

About Angeion Group

Angeion Group is a leading provider of legal notice and settlement administration services, leveraging advanced technology, proven best practices, and expert consulting to manage class actions, mass torts, and collective redress administration. Recognized for its innovation, efficiency, and unwavering client commitment, Angeion Group continues to redefine industry standards.

Moneypenny Unites Under One Brand as It Celebrates 25 Years of Excellence

By Harry Moran |

Moneypenny, the world’s customer conversation expert, proudly marks 25 years of delivering exceptional service and innovation. As part of this milestone, Moneypenny is unifying all of its brands across the US, including VoiceNation, Alphapage, Sunshine Communication Services, and Choice Voice, under one internationally recognized name. 

This transition reinforces Moneypenny’s dedication to a clear and dynamic future for its clients and people while reflecting the values and passion that have driven its success. Started in 2000 after a pivotal missed phone call resulted in a missed business opportunity, Moneypenny has since delivered world-class customer conversations to thousands of global businesses. Over the past 10 years, Moneypenny has expanded its presence across the US, growing under the Moneypenny, VoiceNation, Alphapage, Sunshine Communication Services, andChoice Voicebrands. Now, all will operate under the beloved Moneypenny brand in its Atlanta and Miami offices, as well as virtually in hubs across the country. This unification enhances the ability to offer seamless customer communication solutions and strengthens Moneypenny’s position as the world’s customer conversation experts. 

“As we celebrate 25 years of service, we are excited to express more clearly and concisely our passion to those we serve. By bringing the best of all of our businesses together under one brand, we make it easier for businesses to see the full range of solutions we offer, while also enhancing opportunities for our people. This transition underscores Moneypenny’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and a unified global strategy.” said Richard Culberson, CEO of Moneypenny North America. 

"As a company proudly headquartered in Wrexham UK, a city with a rich history and a growing international profile, Moneypenny is proud to represent that same spirit of fellowship, excellence, and focus on what matters most, people,” said Jesper With-Fogstrup, Group CEO of Moneypenny. “Just as Wrexham soccer has captured hearts across the US, Wrexham’s own Moneypenny has captured hearts by connecting businesses, technology, and people on both sides of the pond. We couldn’t be more excited to have all our teams driven by this shared spirit."

To mark its silver anniversary, Moneypenny will celebrate with a throwback “year 2000” prom for its US teams – a tribute not only to Moneypenny’s remarkable quarter-century history, but also to a time before smartphones, live chat, and a global pandemic put companies on call 24-7By embracing a unified brand, celebrating its legacy, and continuing to invest in its people and AI-driven solutions, Moneypenny is setting the stage for an even stronger future.

About Moneypenny

As the world’s customer conversation experts, Moneypenny’s unique blend of brilliant people and AI technology integrates seamlessly to deliver customer conversations that unlock valuable opportunities for businesses, 24/7. Available across all voice and text channels, Moneypenny responds to and fulfils requirements for thousands of UK and US clients who value their reputation and recognize that the key to sustainable growth is working with a partner who allows them to scale in an agile way. This year, Moneypenny proudly celebrates 25 years of service, having been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” seven times and earning recognition as a Great Place To Work (GPTW). Moneypenny was also named as ‘Best Global Support’ in The Forbes Advisor - The Best Answering Services of 2024.