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Woodsford announces further international expansion, with a number of key strategic hires

November 17, 2021

Woodsford announces further international expansion, with a number of key strategic hires

Woodsford, the global litigation finance and ESG business, has announced further expansion with the appointment of Hon. Michael Barker QC to its Investment Advisory Panel and Deborah Mazer, Hugh Tait, Diane Chisomu and Oscar Moore to its global executive team.

Michael Barker was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia from 2002 – 2009 and the President of the State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia from its foundation in 2005 until 2009. From 2009 – 2019, he was a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia.

Deborah Mazer is a U.S. lawyer and former litigator with a broad range of trial and appellate experience.  Her expertise includes complex commercial, bankruptcy, mass tort, securities, tax controversy, and IP litigation. Before joining Woodsford as an Investment Officer, Deborah worked at Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York. She is a graduate of Yale Law School.

Hugh Tait is an Australian qualified lawyer who has worked on a diverse range of complex, large-scale disputes, including class/collective actions in both Australia and England. Before joining Woodsford as an Investment Officer, Hugh was employed at Hausfeld in London, and before coming to England, was employed at one of Australia’s leading law firms, HWL Ebsworth.

Diane Chisomu and Oscar Moore have both joined Woodsford’s London team as Junior Investment Associates.

“From our foundation as a third party funder that helps level the playing field in David v Goliath litigation, Woodsford has grown into a successful ESG business, holding major corporates to account when wrongdoing occurs.  Whether it is helping consumers achieve collective redress, ensuring that inventors are properly compensated when Big Tech infringes intellectual property rights, or helping shareholders in escalated engagement with listed companies, our team is committed to access to justice. These exceptional appointments will help support continued growth in our key international markets.” said Steven Friel, Woodsford’s CEO.

Michael Barker commented, “I’m excited to have joined a flourishing business that has ambitious future plans, particularly in Australia, my home turf. I hope my expertise will facilitate further growth both here and beyond.”

About Woodsford  

Founded in 2010 and with a presence in London, New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Toronto, Singapore, Brisbane and Tel Aviv, Woodsford’s team blends extensive business experience with world-class legal expertise.

Woodsford is a founder member of both the International Legal Finance Association (ILFA) and the Association of Litigation Funders of England & Wales (ALF). Woodsford’s Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Barnes, sits on the board of both organisations.

Woodsford is continuing to grow, and we welcome approaches from experienced litigation lawyers and other professionals who are interested in joining our team.

Interviews, photos and biographies available on request.

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Loopa Finance Wins at the Lexology European Awards 2026 in the Litigation / General Counsel Category

By John Freund |

Loopa Finance has been recognized as the winner in the Litigation – General Counsel Team category at the Lexology European Awards 2026, one of the leading recognitions in the international legal sector.

The award was received in London by Ignacio Delgado, General Counsel Europe at the firm, on behalf of Loopa Finance’s European team, composed of Ignacio Delgado (General Counsel Europe), Marina Gouveia (Investment Manager), Fernando Pérez Lozada (Senior Investment Manager), and Fernando Folgueiro (Managing Partner).

The Lexology European Awards recognize outstanding legal teams across the region through a methodology that combines independent research, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and thousands of nominations supported by clients and industry peers, as well as the annual research conducted by the Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) and Client Choice.

The selection process is based on performance evaluations related to effective communication, commercial understanding, technical expertise, strategic management, and team strength, and is supported by a global community of more than 940,000 subscribers.

This recognition positions Loopa Finance’s European team among the leading practitioners in complex litigation and strategic legal management in Europe.

“This award reflects the strength of a team operating across two continents that understands litigation not only from a legal perspective, but also through financial analysis and risk management. It is the result of collective work and a rigorous, strategic approach to structuring complex disputes,” said Delgado during the ceremony.

More Than an Award: Validation of a Model

The award comes at a time of consolidation for the firm. Loopa Finance recently completed its rebranding process, evolving from Qanlex to Loopa Finance and reinforcing an identity aligned with its growth in continental Europe and its broader international positioning.

It also coincides with the closing of Fund III, raising €65 million to finance complex litigation and arbitration across Europe and Latin America, significantly expanding the firm’s investment capacity and supporting the continued growth of its platform in the region.

This milestone adds to the firm’s recent rankings, including its Band 1 classification by Chambers & Partners in Latin America and Europe, its recognition as “Highly Recommended” by Leaders League across multiple jurisdictions, and the inclusion of members of its team among the Thought Leaders in Third-Party Funding by the Lexology Index. Together, these results confirm the strength of Loopa Finance’s model and the consolidation of its team as a reference in the strategic financing of disputes at an international level.

About Loopa Finance

Loopa Finance is an investment fund specializing in the financing and monetization of litigation and arbitration across continental Europe and Latin America, supported by a technology-driven model and rigorous risk analysis. The firm provides capital to cover legal costs or monetize ongoing claims through non-recourse structures, where the recovery of the investment depends exclusively on the successful outcome of the case, assuming the financial risk of the dispute while fully aligning its interests with those of clients and law firms.

Announcements Commercial

Pravati Capital Partners with SEI to Bring Litigation Finance to Registered Investment Advisors

By John Freund |

One of the oldest litigation finance firms in the United States has announced a strategic partnership aimed at expanding mainstream investor access to the asset class.

As reported by Business Wire via Yahoo Finance, Scottsdale-based Pravati Capital has partnered with financial services firm SEI to provide registered investment advisors with structured access to litigation finance as an alternative investment option. The collaboration will leverage SEI's distribution platform to make litigation funding opportunities available within advisor portfolios.

The partnership reflects growing institutional interest in litigation finance as an alternative asset class. Historically, litigation funding has been difficult for mainstream financial advisors to access on behalf of their clients, with the market largely dominated by specialized funds and institutional investors. The Pravati-SEI arrangement seeks to bridge that gap by creating a more accessible pathway for advisors seeking diversification through non-correlated investments.

The announcement underscores a broader industry shift as litigation finance continues to move from a niche strategy toward greater acceptance within traditional wealth management channels. As the global litigation funding market grows — projected to reach over $25 billion in 2026 — partnerships like this one may signal a new phase of institutional adoption.

Announcements Commercial

Nera Capital Secures £50M Asset Mandate

By John Freund |

Nera Capital has strengthened its litigation finance platform with the onboarding of a new South America-based funding partner committing £50 million across litigation finance and legal assets. The mandate not only expands Nera’s available capital base but also sees the firm formally appointed as asset manager for the new funds, reinforcing its growing role as both originator and portfolio steward within the UK litigation market.

In a press release, Nera Capital announced that the £50 million commitment will be deployed across a range of UK-based claims, with the firm responsible for underwriting, structuring, capital deployment, and ongoing portfolio management. The capital will be allocated in line with Nera’s established investment criteria and risk management framework, targeting carefully selected legal assets. The funding partner, described as having an “extensive track record” in high-yielding special situations investments uncorrelated to traditional asset classes, brings prior experience in litigation finance across South America.

Robin Grant, CFO at Nera Capital, emphasized that the partnership aligns with the firm’s disciplined approach to litigation finance and enhances its ability to deliver attractive, risk-adjusted returns to investors. Aisling Byrne, Director at Nera Capital, highlighted the funder’s blend of financial and legal expertise, noting that the asset manager appointment reflects international confidence in Nera’s ability to identify viable claims and manage them through to resolution.

Established in 2011 and headquartered in Dublin, with offices in Manchester and Holland, Nera Capital provides law firm lending across consumer and commercial claim portfolios and is a member of the European Litigation Funders Association.