What are your proudest accomplishments in the area of diversity and inclusion in law? Launching The Equity Project in 2018 was certainly a proud moment in my career, but it is the success of the initiative that makes me proudest. When we first launched in 2018, we earmarked $50 million to back commercial matters led by women. After having committed more than that amount by December 2020, Burford announced an expansion of the initiative in October 2021, earmarking a further $100 million, broadening the mission to promote both racial and gender diversity in law and pledging to contribute a portion of its balance sheet profits from successfully resolved phase two matters to organizations that promote development for female and racially diverse lawyers on clients’ behalf. In a short period of time, we have committed a significant amount of capital toward our mission, and out cumulative commitments to back female and diverse lawyers now exceed $100 million. The Equity Project is core to Burford’s culture and a part of our daily work, and I’m really proud of our team’s commitment to making a difference.

What are the greatest diversity and inclusion-related challenges today for New York lawyers and firms? The business of law changes at a glacial speed. Through our work with The Equity Project, we provide an economic incentive that we hope will speed up change in leadership in commercial litigation and arbitration and make faster progress to move the needle on diversity in law. People always ask if I would be upset if others, including our competitors, were to use the same economic incentives for change. My answer is a resounding no—by all means, we welcome anyone and everyone who is committed to change! We want to encourage faster change in diversity and inclusion in the law, and this is one way to do it.