Jack Simony, Founder of the Whitehaven Financial Group, to be Honored With Human Rights Advocates International Defender Award

By Jack Simony

NEW YORK, Sept. 22 -- Jack Simony, founder of the Whitehaven Financial Group, a litigation finance firm based in New York City, will be awarded this year's "Defender Award" by Human Rights Advocates International (HRAI), a United Nations non-governmental organization.

The organization, which is dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights in the United States and abroad, grants the award annually to an individual who has managed, through their efforts, to effect positive change in the lives of those in need.

"Jack Simony, despite his youth, is one of the founding fathers of litigation finance," said HRAI Chairman Gerard I. Nierenberg. "He found a unique way to help those in need while also meeting the needs of Wall Street, creating the classic win-win scenario we look for. We are pleased to offer the 2010 'Defender Award' to Jack for his obvious caring for those less fortunate than he and for his creativity in finding financial solutions that work."

Since founding the Whitehaven Financial Group in 2001, Simony's innovative approach has helped countless individuals who have found themselves trapped in "litigation limbo" when their traumatic injuries impacted their ability to provide for themselves and their families.


"Typically, an injured tort victim in the United States can wait several years until his or her case for justice is heard by the courts, and given the extent of their injuries, this wait may be almost unmanageable," said Simony. "We at Whitehaven are proud to have helped people, in their darkest hours, to stay in their homes, pay for necessary medical care, and provide for their families while awaiting their day in court."

HRAI will present the "Defender Award" to Simony at an honorary dinner on Thursday, December 9th at the St. Regis Hotel, New York City.

About Jack Simony
Mr. Simony is currently a portfolio manager at Centurion Credit Management, a New York-based hedge fund. He co-founded the Whitehaven Group, a litigation financing firm, and served as its CEO, overseeing the strategic direction, vision and implementation of Whitehaven's litigation funding goals. He also oversaw the company's control systems and capital structure, raising credit facilities in excess of $300 million and investing the funds into thousands of legal claims and lawsuits.

- By Jack Simony