Our senior leadership has been active in the litigation finance industry since 1998.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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Charles Agee
Westfleet is led by Charles Agee, a seasoned litigation finance executive with deep expertise in the financial, legal, and operational aspects of the litigation finance industry. He maintains an extensive industry network and has a comprehensive knowledge of the industry’s competitive landscape.
For fifteen years prior to founding Westfleet, he was a capital provider in the litigation finance industry and has personally overseen the origination, investment diligence, and structuring of financing transactions in over a thousand complex litigation matters.
Mr. Agee began his career by co-founding one of the first litigation finance companies in 1998. Partnering with a leading hedge fund, he oversaw the construction of litigation finance portfolios in a variety of complex legal claims. He also was responsible for ensuring compliance of financing activities with legal ethics and other regulatory issues relevant to litigation finance and managed engagements with leading experts on these subjects in virtually every U.S. state.
In late 2013, Mr. Agee recognized an opportunity to bring greater transparency and efficiency to the litigation financing market and to deliver value to a broader audience. He founded Westfleet Advisors with a core focus of helping lawyers and their clients navigate the litigation financing market more efficiently and with greater peace of mind.
Charles Agee is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate in Economics from Rhodes College.
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CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
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Gretchen Lowe
Ms. Lowe is an expert in the accounting, taxation, structuring, and investment diligence of litigation financing transactions. For ten years prior to joining Westfleet, she operated in the litigation finance industry as a capital provider, working closely with Mr. Agee in connection with his portfolio management responsibilities.
Ms. Lowe also has significant experience managing relationships with outside litigation counsel, accounting firms, creditors, and other capital providers in connection with litigation financing transactions and is highly proficient in streamlining the litigation financing process.
Prior to her work in the litigation finance field, Ms. Lowe distinguished herself in Ernst & Young’s tax practice.
She previously managed an internationally syndicated credit facility for Fujikura International and also was a credit analyst for SunTrust Bank.
Gretchen Lowe holds a BA and Masters in Accountancy from Belmont University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
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Jim Batson
Mr. Batson serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Westfleet Advisors, bringing a distinguished track record as a strategic leader in the litigation finance industry. With nearly a decade of leadership at Omni Bridgeway, most recently as its US Co-Chief Investment Officer, and earlier experiences as a partner at Liddle & Robinson, Jim has consistently driven growth and operational excellence across his roles.
Joining Westfleet in 2024, Jim brings an extensive portfolio of expertise, including a deep understanding of deal structures, pricing, and market trends essential for advising clients in the complex litigation finance landscape. His role focuses on leveraging his vast network and strategic insights to enhance client services and advance Westfleet’s mission as a premier advisor in the industry.
Throughout his career, Jim has been instrumental in formulating innovative funding solutions, leading corporate outreach initiatives, and providing expert consultation from case inception through resolution. His legal acumen is further highlighted by his involvement in landmark cases such as Zubulake v. UBS Warburg, which redefined e-discovery obligations.
A recognized voice in the field, Jim frequently speaks at conferences and seminars. His educational background includes a B.A. in Economics and English from Cornell University, a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, and an M.B.A. from Fordham University School of Business.
At Westfleet, Jim’s leadership is pivotal as the company navigates the litigation finance industry’s evolving dynamics, ensuring the delivery of unparalleled advisory services and achieving significant growth and market engagement.
MANAGING DIRECTOR & COUNSEL
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Wendie Childress
Ms. Childress is an experienced commercial trial lawyer and litigation funder with an extensive network across the U.S. legal and funding market. She brings to bear her significant litigation and funding experience to work directly with clients and counsel in evaluating opportunities for litigation finance transactions and advising and shepherding them through all stages of the process to ensure the best possible experience and terms for our clients.
Ms. Childress joined Westfleet in 2023 after years of working with funding pioneers at Validity Finance and well over a decade of practicing commercial litigation at powerhouse boutique Yetter Coleman, one of the nation’s premier boutique trial law firms. In her private practice, Ms. Childress had a winning track record representing both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial disputes across a variety of industries, including energy, financial services, healthcare, and IT. She graduated with Honors from the University of Texas at Austin, where she went on to earn her JD in 2000. Wendie then served for two years as General Counsel to the Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce. She has been named to the Lawdragon “Global 100 Leaders in Litigation Finance” list and a “Houston Top Lawyer” in Business & Commercial Litigation by H Texas Magazine. Ms. Childress is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Bar Foundation, Houston Bar Association, and Women of Litigation Finance Steering Committee.