David J. Kerstein

Founder and Managing Director
dave@arcadiafin.com | 917.751.0715

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An early adopter of litigation finance with ten years of experience as a funding professional, David Kerstein uses his depth of knowledge and experience to serve as a trusted and strategic partner and advisor to lawyers and clients seeking to manage litigation risk and spend. Prior to founding Arcadia Finance, he served as Validity Finance’s Managing Director and Senior Investment Officer. In addition to co-leading Validity’s origination and structuring teams, he helped to guide Validity’s strategic growth into new and expanded markets and avenues for investment. Prior to joining Validity, Dave was a senior investment manager at Bentham IMF, now Omni Bridgeway. 

  • - University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School (J.D.); Toll Scholar

    - University of Pennsylvania (B.A.); Benjamin Franklin Scholar

  • - “Three Case Studies,” Financial Poise webinar (July 14, 2020) 

    - “A Menu of Products for Investors and Lawyers,” Financial Poise webinar (June 9, 2020) 

    - “An Introduction to a New Yet Old Funding Alternative,” Financial Poise webinar (May 12, 2020) 

    - “Practical Guidance: Litigation Finance Industry,” Bloomberg Law (January 2, 2020)

    - “The Fundamentals, Functions, and Ethics of Litigation Finance,” NYSBA International Law Practice, Vol. 33, No. 1 (2020) 

    - “Mechanics of Litigation Finance,” Bloomberg Law (2019)

Before entering the world of litigation finance, Dave spent fifteen years as a trial lawyer handling complex commercial disputes at Gibson Dunn.

With his deep experience as a litigator, Dave understands the landscape attorneys and their clients face when pursuing important claims and is uniquely positioned to help them navigate it. As a long-suffering Jets, Mets, Knicks and Islanders fan, Dave is keenly aware that facing adversity can build character. He knows that every litigation has obstacles that must be overcome but that those obstacles can be used as stepping-stones that guide us to achieving our goals.  

Dave is a sought-after speaker and recognized leader in litigation finance who has been named among Lawdragon’s “Global 100 Leaders in Legal Finance” and selected by Who’s Who Legal as a “Thought Leader in Third Party Funding.” He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, where he received both his J.D. and B.A.

For over 10 years, Dave has served as a board member of Riley’s Way Foundation, which works to support the next generation of kind leaders who are leading social impact projects. A passionate “phan” of live music (IYKYK), he also serves as a board member for Freaks Action network, which harnesses the power, energy, and creativity of live music to generate resources and provide tangible support to those in need in the music community.

"I believe that the future of litigation funding is client-focused. That means being able to meet clients where they are to solve their problems and cover the waterfront of potential litigation-backed investment opportunities."

- David J. Kerstein