Omni Bridgeway Co-CIO Discusses Bankruptcy, ESG and Patent Litigation Funding

With the global litigation funding industry growing to new heights each year, the world’s leading funders are keen to ensure that they stay at the head of the pack by looking for the best opportunities now and in the near future. In a new interview, one of Omni Bridgeway’s senior leaders offers his view on what key areas define litigation finance at present, and where the biggest growth opportunities are located.

In a wide-ranging interview with Global Restructuring Review, Jim Batson, co-chief investment officer for Omni Bridgeway, provides an overview of the firm’s involvement in bankruptcy and insolvency activity. Speaking on the evolution of financing for bankruptcy litigation, Batson highlights that parties have become increasingly comfortable with the practice as awareness and experience has evolved. He also notes that Omni has become involved with more complex bankruptcy proceedings in jurisdictions such as Texas, New York and Delaware, where there is more familiarity with third-party funding.  

Outside of bankruptcy litigation, Batson argues that whilst litigation funding has always been an ESG investment product due to its focus on widening access to justice, there are now more opportunities for focused ESG investment, and Omni is exploring the creation of a fund exclusively dedicated to ESG legal funding. Outside of Omni’s core markets, Batson sees opportunities for growth in both the Latin American and Asia Pacific regions, as countries such as Hong Kong and Singapore continue to evolve their regulatory approach to litigation funding.

In terms of other sectors that Omni Bridgeway is focusing on, Batson spotlights the antitrust arena which has benefitted from the Biden Administration’s policies. In addition, it is no surprise to hear that patent litigation remains a top priority, with Batson emphasizing that it is particularly active in both the US and in Germany.