Supporting diversity in commercial disputes
The Equity Project is an award-winning initiative that leverages Burford’s legal finance capital and industry leadership to help close the diversity gap in commercial litigation and arbitration.
Since launching The Equity Project in 2018, Burford has committed a cumulative $169 million to fund commercial litigation and arbitration led by female and racially diverse lawyers.
Paying it forward
When Equity Project investments resolve successfully and generate expected returns, Burford will contribute some of our proceeds to a charitable organization focused on advancing female and racially diverse lawyers on behalf of our client. Businesses and law firms using Equity Project capital can feel doubly good about their impact.
Why businesses use Equity Project capital
Companies can use Equity Project capital to advance their diversity goals through their legal spend—by encouraging the firms that represent them to appoint female and racially diverse lawyers on their matters and award them appropriate origination credit.
Start the conversation
Businesses can use Equity Project funding as a reason to talk to their firms about diverse representation and origination credit.
Promote change
Equity Project capital adds to businesses’ economic leverage to promote change that reflects their corporate values.
Improve business outcomes
Because Equity Project funding shifts legal costs and risk of loss to Burford, legal teams can promote diversity while improving business outcomes.
Why law firms use Equity Project capital
Firms committed to gender and racial diversity can encourage female and racially diverse litigators to take on matters that require significant investment.
Win new business
Lawyers backed by Equity Project capital can offer their clients attractive terms and expand their contingency practices without taking on the full risk.
Allocate origination credit
The Equity Project eases pathways towards origination and client relationship credit for lawyers who have often been underrepresented in leadership roles.
Demonstrate innovation
Lawyers can use Equity Project capital to show innovation and ambition to land new clients and serve them well.
How it works
Burford funds matters as part of The Equity Project when they meet the investment criteria required of all of Burford’s funded matters and, in addition, one of the following is true:
- A female or racially diverse litigator serves as first or second chair
- The firm representing the client is a woman- or minority-owned law firm (more than 50% of the equity is owned by female or racially diverse lawyers)
- A female or racially diverse litigator receives origination credit for the matter or the client relationship
- A female or racially diverse partner serves as chair of the plaintiffs’ steering committee or as plaintiffs’ lead counsel
- A female or racially diverse barrister is leading the advocacy on the matter
Equity Project Champions
London
Conway Blake
Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton
Los Angeles
Elizabeth Brannen
Managing Partner & Chair of Intellectual Property Litigation, Stris & Maher
New York
Mylan Denerstein
Co-Chair, Public Policy Practice Group, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
Charlotte
Ryan Dunigan
Senior Division Counsel, Corning, Incorporated
Singapore
Angela Ee
Asean and Singapore Turnaround and Restructuring Strategy Leader, EY Parthenon
New York
The Hon. Katharine B. Forrest
Partner, Paul Weiss
Paris
Amy Frey
Partner, King & Spalding
New York
Faith Gay
Founding Partner, Selendy & Gay
New York
Maria Ginzburg
Partner, Selendy & Gay
Singapore
Blossom Hing
Director, Dispute Resolution and Corporate Restructuring & Workouts, Drew and Napier
Singapore
Brenda Horrigan
International Arbitrator
San Francisco
Megan E. Jones
Partner, Hausfeld
Washington
Carolyn Lamm
Partner, White & Case
Washington
Tara Lee
Partner, White & Case
Philadelphia
Roberta D. Liebenberg
Senior Partner, Fine, Kaplan & Black
London
Sophie Nappert
Sophie Nappert, International Arbitrator, Co-Founder, ArbTech
London
Akima Paul Lambert
Partner, Hogan Lovells
London
Sue Prevezer KC
International Arbitrator, Mediator and Consultant, Brick Court Chambers
Geneva
Noradèle Radjai
Partner, Lalive
Washington
Veta T. Richardson
President & CEO, Association of Corporate Counsel
Miami
Adriana Riviere-Badell
Partner, Kobre & Kim
Munich
Susanne Schwalb
Partner, CMS
London
Lauma Skruzmane
Founding and Co-Managing Partner, Butler Reichline Skruzmane
Washington
Lauren Weinstein
Partner, MoloLamken LLP
Recognition for The Equity Project
GAR
Equal Representation Arbitration Pledge Award
Financial Times
Innovative Lawyers Awards: Stand Out in Diversity
NYLJ
Distinguished Leader (Aviva Will)
NYLJ
Trailblazer (Aviva Will)
Women Owned Law
Champion of the Year
NYLJ
Diversity initiative (Aviva Will)
Reach out to our team
New York
Aviva Will
President
New York
Liz Bigham
Chief Marketing Officer
Chicago
Alyx Pattison
Senior Vice President
New York
Carrie Tendler
Special Counsel
Chicago
Kate Tellez
Senior Vice President
