BlackRobe Capital Partners LLC

Launched in 2011, BlackRobe Capital Partners LLC was among a growing group of ventures that seek to profit by investing in large-scale commercial lawsuits—in hopes of big returns should their side prevail. While BlackRobe did ultimately invest about $32 million in individual cases—a mix of money from its founders and outside investors—the firm wasn't able to raise a large discretionary pool of capital. BlackRobe closed to new investments in 2013. Lawsuits that were in the investment pipeline are being handled by a spinoff, Lake Whillans Capital Partners LLC, which was set up by two former BlackRobe staffers. The company is monitoring BlackRobe's investments and also looking for new prospects, said Lee Drucker, a principal.