Steven Friel—Woodsford Litigation Funding

Woodsford Litigation Funding has announced that Steven Friel has joined the company as chief investment officer, reporting to Yves Bonavero, who continues as executive chairman. Steven was previously a partner in the London office of Brown Rudnick.

Stven has extensive experience in handling complex disputes, often with an international dimension. He has represented clients across a broad range of commercial, industrial and governmental sectors, and has particular experience in finance, insurance and disputes involving complex technology. His recent work includes acting for bondholders and shareholders in disputes arising out of the restructuring of a number of failed Eurozone banks.

A solicitor-advocate, admitted in England & Wales and in Ireland, Steven has appeared before a number of English civil and criminal courts, including the High Court and Court of Appeal, and international tribunals in The Hague and elsewhere in Europe and North America. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, an accredited mediator, and is on the CEDR Ireland Panel of Arbitrators.

Yves says: “Our litigation funding business works with clients from around the world, funding the type of large litigation and arbitration for which Steven has developed an outstanding, international reputation. He joins us at an exciting time in our growth, as we strive to become one of the pre-eminent access-to-justice specialists for UK and international commercial enterprises. Steven's expertise and professional network will ensure that we continue to identify and work with clients who have a strong claim, but lack the funding—or the appetite—to fund it alone."

Steven says: “I am delighted to join Woodsford Litigation Funding. The way in which complex commercial litigation and arbitrations are financed has changed dramatically over the past 15 years, a development that I have watched with interest from the perspective of my trans-Atlantic litigation practice. It is clear to me that there is tremendous potential for further growth in the industry, and I am looking forward to working with Yves and the rest of the Woodsford team in realising that potential.”