Litigation finance is a rapidly growing sector, yet women remain underrepresented in leadership roles. As the first woman CIO at India’s largest litigation funder, Tanya Prasad, CIO at LegalPay has navigated challenges, defied biases, and championed inclusivity in this space. Her journey underscores the power of strategic risk-taking, collaboration, and mentorship in shaping the future of litigation funding. By fostering networks and empowering more women, she believes we can drive meaningful change and redefine leadership in this dynamic industry.
CXO Digital Pulse: Litigation finance is a niche sector with limited female representation. What were the key challenges you faced as a woman in this field, and how did you navigate them?
Tanya: As the first woman CIO of the largest litigation funder in India, I consider myself to be quite privileged as I have the opportunity to really lead this initiative in one of the biggest litigation markets in the world. However, this does come with certain challenges, unfortunately women do encounter biases in the legal and financial sectors, where traditional roles can influence the perception of their capabilities. We may be viewed as less authoritative or experienced compared to our male counterparts, which can impact access to funding or decision making process. Another issue I have experienced is that women are often seen as more risk averse, which can lead to challenges in securing support for potentially high-risk litigation investments.
CXO Digital Pulse: Given the evolving legal and financial landscapes, how do you see the role of women changing in litigation finance, and what can be done to encourage more female participation?
Tanya: I am happy to see increasing awareness around gender imbalance in litigation finance. There is an increased amount of discourse, which is always a welcome change. Globally, women representation has been on the rise which is also leading to a shift in industry perception and risk profiling.
I feel women in this field would benefit greatly from access to mentorship and networking opportunities. Fostering collaborative networks would definitely help navigate the complexities of litigation funding and eventually help more women rise to the leadership positions
CXO Digital Pulse: Litigation finance requires strategic risk assessment and deep industry knowledge. Do you think women bring unique perspectives to this space, and if so, how?
Tanya: I feel women definitely bring a unique perspective to this industry. What is sometimes termed as a “soft” approach is often a longterm sustainable approach with a great social impact. Women are well known for their collaborative and inclusive style leadership that helps align the core values of litigation funding.
CXO Digital Pulse: For women aspiring to enter litigation finance, what critical skills or experiences would you advise them to focus on, and how can the industry better support them?
Tanya: Personally, my experience in litigation and arbitration really helped me transition into this role as well as my professional network. My advice would always be to hone your skills as a lawyer, build on financial and analytical expertise and focus on developing your ability to assess and manage risk. I will also emphasise on networking as a skill set and building strong relationships with law firms, legal professionals, investors and other key stakeholders in the industry.
