Category Archives: Special Features
Put a Ring on it
The following is a contribution from Eric Schuller, President of the Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding (ARC).
What is the best way to reduce the amount of companies offering Consumer Legal Funding?
Simple: Put a RATE on it!
In Beyonce’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it),” the lyrics read: “If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it.” The US Chamber and Insurance Industry are singing a similar tune when it comes to Consumer Legal Funding. However in their song, the lyrics read: “Put a RATE on it.”
U.S. Commercial Litigation Finance Industry – Call to Association!
There is no other way to express it; the US commercial litigation finance industry is under assault from a variety of different interest groups and the industry lacks a homogenous voice to counter the opposition and to communicate its strong benefits.
No doubt, many industry participants are well aware of the recent report by a hedge fund short- seller against the industry’s largest participant. While the report raises many issues for consideration, it is also symptomatic of a multi-pronged attack on the industry, whether organized or purely by coincidence. This article is a call for the industry to unite and create an association to represent interests of the various participants and beneficiaries of the industry (lawyers, plaintiffs, funders and investors).
Why Litigation Finance is Suited to Public Markets
The following was contributed by Nick Rowles-Davies, Executive Vice Chairman of Litigation Capital Management (LCM).
The recent and well documented attacks by activist short-seller Muddy Waters on Burford Capital have brought litigation finance into the limelight. Whilst largely focussed on Burford’s accounting methods and corporate governance, the hedge fund’s accusations have raised concerns around the practices and legitimacy of the industry more broadly.
What Does it Mean to Live Paycheck to Paycheck?
The following was contributed by Eric Schuller, President of the Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding (ARC).
According to Investopedia: “Paycheck to paycheck is an expression used to describe an individual who would be unable to meet financial obligations if unemployed because his or her salary is predominantly devoted to expenses. Persons subsisting paycheck to paycheck have limited or no savings and are at greater financial risk if suddenly unemployed than individuals who have amassed a cushion of savings.”
Flying High: LCM Lands Portfolio Funding Deal with Aviation Company
One of LCM’s key areas of focus since its IPO has been the origination and execution of corporate portfolio transactions. The recent announcement of a portfolio funding partnership with a major aviation company, in which LCM will finance 38 worldwide disputes and contractual claims arising from the operations of the company for an initial 5-year rolling period, underscores the funder’s commitment to its corporate portfolio funding strategy.
Term Sheet Exclusivity & MAC Clauses: Good or Bad Things for the Funding Industry?
At last week’s 2nd Annual Financing, Structuring and Investing in Litigation Finance conference, hosted by IMN in New York City, the third panel of the day discussed the topic of term sheet exclusivity. Namely, should funders mandate an exclusivity period whereby the claimant cannot approach or discuss potential funding, while the initial funder performs due…
Why is There an Assault on the Poorest Amongst Us?
This article was contributed by Eric Schuller, President of the Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding (ARC).
“Millions of Americans Are Just 1 Paycheck Away From ‘Financial Disaster’” was the title in a recent story in Barron’s. The article stated that 51% of working adults in the US would need to access savings to cover necessities if they missed more than one paycheck. That is the equivalent of over 78.2 million Americans.
Funders and Lawyers Discuss Defense Funding
At the recent General Counsel Forum on Litigation Finance, both funders and lawyers came together to discuss a variety of topics facing the industry. One of those is defense-side funding. What are the options for defense funding? How can defense cases be monetized? Is this really even a thing?…
Funders, Lawyers and In-House Counsel Discuss Litigation Funding at Momentum Events Conference in NYC
On Wednesday, May 1st, funders, lawyers and in-house counsel gathered to discuss litigation funding at Momentum Events’ inaugural General Counsel Forum on Litigation Finance….
The Case for Customized Solutions: One Size Does Not Fit All
The following article was contributed by Michael Lohrer, Chief Technology Officer of Segue Cloud Services.
When it comes to technology for the legal finance community, more often than not market solutions have been designed as pre-set software, produced to function in one particular fashion to address organizational processes or workflows. End-users are often encouraged to give feedback on desired changes and customization, but revisions to the finished product are difficult for developers to fulfill after-the-fact. A pre-determined GUI and set functionality doesn’t always accommodate the ongoing needs of the customer—particularly for those who hope to grow their practices.
