Lawsuit Funding For Your Attorney May Be Possible. Clients Aren't The Only Ones Who Need Financial Assistance!

By Dr. Tom Rhudy

Have you discussed your case with an attorney and noted that the attorney expressed an interest in your case, but let you know that he/she would be unable to represent you in that matter? Did the attorney either leave you with the impression, or flatly state, that the reason that the firm would not be able to take on your case was due to a lack of finances? If so, your attorney may be in need of lawsuit funding!

It is important to keep in mind that lawsuit loans have no limitations regarding the manner in which the money may be spent. If the attorney were to obtain lawsuit funding, he/she may put that money to any use he/she deems appropriate. Such uses may include an increase in the advertising budget, an upgrade in office-equipment, etc. It is your attorney who will ultimately make the determination as to how the settlement loan will be utilized.

The minimum loan for financing a law firm is usually $100,000. (Lesser amounts may be a consideration on a case-by-case basis.) Such funding is often going to take into consideration, among other things, the firm's accounts receivables. This form of financing is, in some aspects, no-risk financing for the law firm. This is due to the fact that the funding is secured entirely by the practice's accounts receivables, not from the partner's assets.

Lawsuit funding to attorneys was initially established to assist attorneys with their cash-flow. However lawsuit funding provides many additional benefits to a law firm, such as allowing them to finance expenses which will assist them in offsetting the high cost of litigating a number of cases. Once again, it is also advantageous that these are non-recourse advances. In addition to increasing cash-flow, the attorney's business lines of credit are also enhanced. This often tips the scales in the attorney's favor.

Most plaintiffs will encounter a wide-a ray of expenses to which their attention will be called during the process of forging ahead with the lawsuit. When you have an attorney who is able to gain access to lawsuit funding, this provides a tremendous benefit to not only you, but to several of the firm's clients. This allows clients to pursue litigation when, in many cases, the attorneys lack of financial resources would force them to accept a settlement that is less than that to which they are entitled.

As is true with a lawsuit loan, these no-risk advances do not seek statements of personal net worth. A simple review of the requestor's indebtedness, to include a listing of assets, etc. will not be required. Such no-risk advances are secured principally, if not entirely, by accounts receivables. Once again, they do not rely on the firm's assets. It is important to keep in mind that non-recourse lawsuit funding, when made to attorneys, is actually an assignment of the attorney's anticipated fees for a selected number of both pre-and post-settlement cases.

Does your attorney wish to obtain lawsuit funding? If so, the attorney must come in most cases, "bundle" five or more cases together when submitting such requests. It is significant to note that it isn't necessary that all of the cases be approved for funding. Therefore, if you have been discussing your case with an attorney and that attorney expresses some reservation regarding representing you in that matter due to their own financial-restrictions, it may be appropriate for you to suggest to that attorney that he/she consider lawsuit funding! - 29971

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here