Legalist, AI-Based Lit Funder, Hires Its First Lawyer
Curtis Smolar will help navigate the company through regulatory requirements and help assess the value of cases it invests in.
September 06, 2017 at 10:58 AM
8 minute read
SAN FRANCISCO — Litigation finance startup Legalist made a splash in the industry last year when it claimed it could estimate the likelihood of a case succeeding using a cutting-edge algorithm, no lawyers involved. It was quintessential Silicon Valley: just couple of young Harvard dropouts with some business savvy and software know-how.
Now, after launching a fund of $10.25 million—and with an eye on bankrolling about a hundred cases in the next year—it's decided it might want someone with a legal degree on board after all.
Curtis Smolar, an all-round business litigator with expertise in copyright and trademark law, joined Legalist as its general counsel late last month from Palo Alto IP boutique de la Pena & Holiday, becoming the company's first lawyer. In addition to steering Legalist through regulatory requirements, Smolar will also be helping vet potential investments and assess their value.
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