The D.E. Shaw Group

The D. E. Shaw group is a global investment and technology development firm with more than $70 billion in investment and committed capital as of September 1, 2025, and offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Since our founding in 1988, our firm has earned an international reputation for successful investing based on innovation, careful risk management, and the quality and depth of our staff.

We invest globally in both public and private markets and deploy a broad array of investment strategies that range from systematic to discretionary, in each case setting what we believe to be the right balance between the application of sophisticated data systems and insights from talented, experienced practitioners. Regardless of approach, we make each investment decision in the context of an analytical framework in which we seek to carefully identify and weigh potential risks and rewards.

Our Litigation Finance Capabilities

Our significant presence across global capital markets allows us to be a sophisticated litigation finance partner. We deliver tailored financial solutions to enhance market value creation, across deal sizes ranging from $5 million to over $100 million.

Drawing on the firm’s more than 35 years of investment experience across public and private markets, our Litigation Finance team brings deep sector knowledge and expertise to various types of litigation matters including commercial litigation, antitrust, mass tort, and collective actions. We work across the spectrum of litigation finance, including single-case financings, portfolio transactions, law firm loans, and plaintiff monetizations.

We routinely navigate transactional challenges such as bankruptcy risk, timing concerns, staging of funding, and illiquid recoveries. There’s no one‑size‑fits‑all. We create bespoke structures that seek to meet our counterparty’s needs and to ensure aligned interests.Our offerings range from credit-style, rate-based solutions to early-stage partnerships on high-risk, complex cases.

We streamline the approval process for quick results and provide partners with direct and early access to primary decision makers. As a strategic partner, we’re flexible and aim to create a relationship beneficial to both sides. We take a comprehensive view on transactions, including tax and accounting treatment and regulatory requirements.

Team Profiles

Sarah Johnson heads the D.E.Shaw group’s Litigation Finance team. Ms.Johnson brings nearly 20 years of investing experience at the D.E.Shaw group, including in distressed credit, cross-border restructurings, stressed equities, litigation asset monetization and bankruptcy liquidations.

• • Prior experience: Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz (Restructuring & Finance); Salomon Smith Barney Inc. (Investment Banking)
  • Education: Duke University (B.A., cum laude); Columbia Law School (J.D.; Managing Editor, Columbia Law Review; Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar; James Kent Scholar)

Megan Colville serves as corporate counsel to the Litigation Finance team. Drawing upon experience in advising on acquisition finance, private credit, capital markets, and project finance matters, Ms.Colville helps structure sophisticated bespoke transactions and oversees documentation and closing for each transaction.

• • Prior experience: Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (Leveraged Finance; Capital Markets)​
  • Education: Lehigh University (B.S., highest honors); University of Virginia School of Law (J.D.; Articles Editor, Virginia Law Review)

Don Butterworth focuses on underwriting. Mr.Butterworth draws on his experience as a commercial litigator and judicial law clerk to analyze investment opportunities and create innovative financing structures.​

• • Prior experience: Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz (Litigation); U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (Law Clerk to Hon. Michael H. Park)​
  • Education: Princeton University (A.B., magna cum laude); Columbia Law School (J.D.; James Kent Scholar, Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar)

Sarah Ding focuses on underwriting and provides perspective on regulatory compliance as a prior member of the D.E.Shaw group’s Legal & Compliance department, where she worked on anti-money laundering and anti-insider trading compliance, as well as securities regulations.

• • Education: University of Cambridge (B.A., Law)