Burford’s Drive To Push Legal AI Initiatives
Leading litigation finance company Burford Capital has announced the appointment of Travis Lenkner as its new Chief Development Officer, with a role to build the company’s strategic growth, including law firm investment initiatives.
Lenkner, who will be based in London, brings a wealth of experience to the position having previously served a brief stint at Burford following the company’s $160 million acquisition of Gerchen Keller Capital, a litigation finance firm he co-founded.
By investing in AI-enabled law firms, one of the strategic investments that will be one of Lenkner’s key objectives, Burford could help drive innovation in legal service delivery, potentially opening up new markets and client segments for Burford and other law firms investing in AI tools and legal service delivery.
Burford is clearly setting itself up as an innovative legal leader, helping to drive the AI revolution in the law business.
After leaving Burford, he went on to establish the plaintiffs’ litigation firm Keller Lenkner (now Keller Postman) in Chicago.
In his new capacity, Lenkner will be tasked with identifying and executing strategic initiatives that align with Burford’s long-term objectives.
His focus will extend beyond the company’s current operations, exploring new business opportunities and revenue streams.
Key Areas of Focus
Lenkner’s role will encompass several key areas apart from law firm investments, including legal service delivery processes, legaltech opportunities, including artificial development initiatives.
AI-powered legal tech solutions developed by law firms could become additional sources of income, potentially increasing returns on Burford’s investments.
AI tools can also assist in due diligence and contract review, potentially reducing errors and legal risks for law firms, which could make investments in these firms less risky for Burford.
David Perla, co-chief operating officer at Burford, has indicated that while they are experimenting with AI, its current capabilities are still limited. He is aware that AI tools will improve significantly shortly, potentially transforming how litigation is conducted in the long term, along with a variety of other advantages Burford sees in AI apps.
Market Context
Burford’s move comes at a time when the litigation finance industry is evolving rapidly.
While the U.S. market saw a slight decrease in new deal commitments last year, the sector remains robust with combined assets under management reaching $15.2 billion in 2023.
Lenkner noted that Burford is well-positioned to assist forward-thinking firms, new boutiques, and startups in leveraging equity capital where permitted by regulators.
This is particularly relevant given the recent regulatory changes in states like Arizona and Utah, which have begun testing or implementing rule changes regarding outside ownership of law firms.
