A tool to promote diversity in law
The Equity Project is an award-winning initiative aimed at improving diversity in the business of law. By earmarking funds for litigation and arbitration led by historically underrepresented lawyers, The Equity Project provides an economic incentive for much-needed change in the business of law.
Since launching The Equity Project in 2018, Burford has committed a cumulative $145 million to finance commercial litigation and arbitration led by women and racially diverse attorneys.
Why businesses use Equity Project capital
Companies can use Equity Project capital to advance their DEI goals through their legal spend—by encouraging the firms that represent them to appoint female and racially diverse litigators and arbitration lawyers on their matters and award them appropriate origination credit.
Promote diversity initiatives
Equity Project capital adds to companies’ economic leverage to promote diversity and augments their DEI initiatives.
Improve business outcomes
Because Equity Project funding shifts legal costs and risk of loss, legal teams can use it to advance DEI goals while improving business outcomes.
Start the conversation
Businesses can use Equity Project funding as a reason to talk to their firms about diverse representation and origination credit.
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—so companies and law firms using Equity Project capital can feel doubly good about their impact.
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, take a strong case from a client that couldn’t otherwise afford the litigation or 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 at the leadership levels of law firms.
Demonstrate innovation
Lawyers can use Equity Project capital to show innovation and ambition to land new clients and serve them well.
Equity Project financing criteria
Matters that meet Burford’s investment criteria qualify for Equity Project financing if one of the following criteria apply:
- 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
Los Angeles
Elizabeth Brannen
Managing Partner & Chair of Intellectual Property Litigation, Stris & Maher
Washington
Rufus Caine III
Co-CEO & Co-Founder, Tenor Legal
Miami
Stephanie L. Carman
Shareholder, GrayRobinson
New York
Mylan Denerstein
Co-Chair, Public Policy Practice Group, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
New York
The Hon. Katharine B. Forrest
Partner, Paul Weiss
Paris
Amy Frey
Partner, King & Spalding
Philadelphia
Nicole D. Galli
Founder, Women Owned Law, and Managing Member, ND Galli Law LLC
New York
Faith Gay
Founding Partner, Selendy & Gay
New York
Maria Ginzburg
Partner, Selendy & Gay
New York
Jonathan Goldin
General Counsel, Pearl Health
Washington
Keith J. Harrison
Partner and Co-Chair, Litigation, Crowell & Moring
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
Co-Chief Operating Officer
New York
Liz Bigham
Chief Marketing Officer
Chicago
Alyx Pattison
Senior Vice President
New York
Gabriela Bersuder
Vice President
