Bentham IMF Set to Offer Commercial Litigation Funding in Quebec with Hire of Veteran Litigator George R. Hendy

Bentham IMF, a world-leading commercial litigation finance company, expanded the reach of its global operations to Quebec this week with the hire of veteran litigator George R. Hendy, Ad.E. as Senior Advisor-Quebec.

Tasked with leading the company’s entry into the region, its second location in Canada, George will help Bentham source investment opportunities in Quebec and assess their viability for funding. Such investments will take the form of funding to plaintiffs and law firms for large legal disputes and for international arbitration and insolvency matters in Quebec.

George’s arrival comes just as Bentham has successfully funded its first matter in Quebec. In late 2017, the company committed to fund the plaintiff in a construction dispute being litigated by Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. This is the sixth Canadian case approved by Bentham’s Investment Committee for funding since Bentham became the first funder to establish operations in Canada when it opened its Toronto office in January 2016.

“We’ve seen steadily increasing demand for funding since entering the Canadian market,” said Tania Sulan, Chief Investment Officer-Canada, Bentham IMF. “The absence of the common law doctrines of maintenance and champerty in Quebec, combined with the fact that it is not an adverse costs jurisdiction, make it attractive jurisdiction for investment,” she added.

“With George onboard, we will enter the market with the appropriate depth of knowledge about the nuances of Quebec law and an extensive network within the local legal community,” said Tania. “He will be a strong resource for plaintiffs and law firms seeking financing for commercial litigation and arbitration in Quebec. We’re excited to add someone of George’s stature to our talented team, which includes litigators from the top law firms in Canada,” she noted.

George is the company’s third hire in the region, with Naomi Loewith, Investment Manager and Legal Counsel, having joined in January 2016 from Lenczner Slaght LLP and Nickolas Tzoulas, Legal Counsel, having joined in July 2017 from Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.

“Litigation funding is a smart choice for parties wishing to pursue commercial disputes without exhausting their financial resources,” said George. “Non-recourse financing is gaining favour among law firms, corporations and individuals who value being able to decrease their financial exposure in litigation while accessing capital that can be used in strategic ways,” he continued.

“I’m honoured to join a world-leading company that has pioneered the introduction of commercial litigation funding to several sophisticated legal markets, including being the first international funder to establish a Canadian presence,” said George. “Bentham IMF recognizes the demand for funding in the Quebec legal market and has the resources to meet it.”

George has over 45 years of experience before the courts and has practiced as a litigator at leading Canadian law firms Ogilvy Renault (now Norton Rose), Phillips & Vineberg (now Davies, Ward, Philipps and Vineberg LLP) and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. While in private practice, he concentrated on corporate and commercial litigation, including pension fund litigation, international arbitration, unfair competition, product liability, class actions, commercial fraud, shareholder disputes, oppression remedies, fiduciary duties of departing employees, unjust dismissals, employment law and contractual disputes of all kinds.

George also possesses extensive experience serving on the boards of directors for several corporations and organizations, including as Director and former Chairman of the Board of Bishop’s University Foundation, Director and Chairman of the Board of Exo U Inc., Director of H2 Biopharma Inc., Director and Chairman of the Board of Reddy Memorial Hospital – Montreal. He is also actively involved in the Canadian Bar Association, having served as President of the Quebec branch, Chair of LPAC, and Chair of the Law for the Future Fund Chair. Additionally, he is a member of “Chambre de sécurité financière”.

George graduated from Bishop’s University (Honours Chemistry) and McGill Law School (BCL). He is fluent in French and English.

He can be reached at ghendy@benthamimf.ca.

ABOUT BENTHAM IMF

Bentham IMF is the Canadian arm of publicly listed IMF Bentham Limited (ASX: IMF), one of the leading funding companies in the world, with a portfolio that has a total claim size value of AUD $3.8 billion. Together, the companies have 13 offices throughout Canada, the US, UK, Australia and Asia and provide funding to clients in jurisdictions including Canada, the US, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore. They have reviewed thousands of commercial cases in the past 16 years, funding to completion more than 162 cases and generating over AUD $2.1 billion in recoveries. They have achieved a 91% success rate, with clients utilizing their funding retaining an average of 62% of all case proceeds.

For more information, please visit www.benthamimf.ca.