Commercial litigation funder Validity Finance has added Houston trial lawyer Wendie Childress as portfolio counsel.
Childress was formerly senior counsel at Yetter Coleman. She is the second lawyer from the Houston litigation boutique to make the move to a commercial litigation finance company in the past few years – Eric Chenoweth joined Bentham IMF in early 2017.
In its announcement, Validity, which launched in 2018, says Childress will be tasked with expanding the company’s portfolio in Texas and the Southwest with a special emphasis on the oil and gas sector.
In her trial practice, Childress represented plaintiffs and defense clients in the energy, technology, healthcare and financial services industries. She has also served as general counsel to the Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce.
“[Wendie’s] success as a high-stakes litigator and an expert in policy and regulatory matters makes her a perfect fit for our business,” Laina Miller, a Validity investment manager and head of the firm’s Houston office, said in a statement. “Wendie also co-chaired her firm’s Women in Leadership initiative, and is a strong advocate for women lawyers, which we value highly.”