The Trial Lawyer Spring 2025 | Page 17

Fortunately , a new era of transparency is emerging . ClaimAngel , a disruptive tech marketplace , aims to remove the predation from the equation . By standardizing rates , eliminating hidden fees , and streamlining a chaotic process , ClaimAngel helps ensure that plaintiffs get the immediate help they need — without sinking into compounding debt . It ’ s a forward-thinking solution that empowers attorneys to uphold their ethical duties while guiding clients toward fair , sustainable funding .
Ethics First : Why The Legal Funding Status Quo Is Falling Short
Plaintiffs ’ lawyers face a delicate balancing act : appealing to their clients ’ immediate financial needs while adhering to bar rules and best practices . When an individual is injured , they may urgently need funds for living expenses or medical bills yet have no personal savings or ability to wait for a settlement . This pressure can push attorneys toward lower settlement offers and heighten tension in a process already fraught with complexity .
Historically , a plaintiff ’ s main financial options have come from :
1 . High-interest funders who lock plaintiffs into confusing and / or unreasonably high rates . 2 . A personal credit card that offers convenience but tacks on compounding interest rates often hovering between 29 % and 36 %.
Both can leave the client in a worse financial hole , piling on stress and hurting settlement outcomes . The irony is that plaintiff funding is meant to relieve pressure , not multiply it .
Credit Cards vs . Fair Legal Funding
For many clients , using their credit card to handle short-term expenses can feel like the default . Why look elsewhere ? The problem is that these cards typically feature :
• Compounding interest that can escalate the balance quickly .
• No interest rate cap , which can lead to runaway debt .
• Required monthly payments , even if the client is disabled or out of work .
• Recourse liability , meaning the client is personally on the hook for the bill no matter what .
In a high-stakes legal battle , financial pressure can drive plaintiffs to settle early — well before achieving a fair result . On the other hand , fair legal funding that is non-recourse ( with no personal obligation to repay if the case fails ) can empower clients to hold out for a better settlement . This turns time into power .
Unlike credit cards — which can carry compounding interest rates often above 30 % — ClaimAngel offers a set 27.8 % simple interest rate , meaning the rate is fixed , transparent , and does not snowball over time . Plaintiffs only repay if their case concludes successfully , removing monthly payments and the looming threat of unmanageable debt . As a result , clients stay financially afloat during litigation and attorneys can focus on achieving the most favorable settlement without pressure to cave for lower offers and suffer the mounting interest charges .
Technology As An Ethical Equalizer
The legal industry is experiencing a wave of new tech solutions that goes far beyond mere convenience . These innovations are shining a light on
fresh ways to practice law , exposing outdated processes , and dismantling once-protective “ industry moats ” that no longer serve clients or attorneys . By embracing cutting-edge technology , legal professionals can streamline workflows , enhance transparency , and ultimately deliver a more efficient , client-centric approach . Enter ClaimAngel — an online marketplace that :
1 . Standardizes funding with a set simple-interest rate capped at 2x at 46 months . 2 . Automates the underwriting process so that forces multiple funders to compete with less overhead and greater speed .
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