Summary

Petitioner Legalist, Inc. ("Legalist" or "Petitioner") submits this Memorandum of Law in support of its Petition to Confirm Partial Final Arbitration Award pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA") and to have judgment entered against Respondent Mario Rinaldi ("Rinaldi" or "Respondent").

Pursuant to a Litigation Funding Agreement ("LFA"), Legalist invested in Rinaldi's federal lawsuit against two French champagne producers. Rinaldi won, and this Court entered judgment in his favor for $2,318,506.85. He then refused to cooperate with Legalist in collecting it, refused to let Legalist speak with his French counsel, and stopped keeping Legalist informed--each a breach of the LFA that paid for the case.

Legalist arbitrated, as the LFA requires. Rinaldi was served through the JAMS Electronic Filing System throughout, and never appeared. On May 18, 2026, the Arbitrator, the Hon. Elaine Rushing (Ret.), found the LFA valid, found that Rinaldi breached it, and awarded Legalist $108,718.45 in fees and costs. Ex. 1.1 Rinaldi has not sought to vacate, modify or correct the Award, and no ground for doing so exists. The FAA requires confirmation.

JAMS Arbitration