A trade group comprised of Litigation Finance entities was a long time coming. Over the last decade, the industry has evolved from a niche service used in very specific circumstances to a multi-billion-dollar industry spanning the globe. The formation of the International Legal Finance Association (ILFA) is a welcome addition to the litigation funding landscape. 

Investing in stocks is sometimes risky, which makes the rewards that much sweeter. Investors in Burford Capital have much to celebrate, as their stock has risen an impressive 230% in the last five years.

The Securities and Exchange Commission process continues as Burford Capital moves ahead with its plan for a listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The company has been listed on the AIM exchange in London since 2009. Burford announced that they have received approval for the new listing, however, official approval is still pending as customary listing conditions dictate.

Current economic conditions are making it more challenging to run a business regardless of industry. In the legal world, budgets are shrinking and GCs, already stretched to the brink, are taking on even more costs. An ability to adapt to circumstances while finding ways to save money is of the essence.

There’s a lot you can learn about a Litigation Finance company by looking at at its investors. Insider investment is common in firms that are newer and smaller, while more established players boast large institutions as their major shareholders.  

This week, the ABA’s House of Delegates approved new best practices guidelines for litigation funders. The ABA’s inclusion of third-party funding in their guidelines is a necessary step, given the increasing popularity of the practice. Some say, however, that these new guidelines are not an accurate reflection of how Litigation Finance works.