Burford Capital names Travis Lenkner COO

Burford Capital, a leading global finance and asset management firm focused on law, has announced the appointment of Travis Lenkner as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Lenkner, who is currently serving as Burford’s Chief Development Officer, will remain based in London. In his new position as COO, he will be responsible for overseeing execution and operating performance across the firm's various business units. His additional responsibilities include the management of global business development and marketing, corporate development, and enterprise initiatives aimed at fostering long-term growth. Lenkner will also join Burford’s Commitments Committee.

With a robust background in legal finance and complex litigation, Mr. Lenkner’s career began in 2013 when he became a launch partner of Gerchen Keller Capital, a private fund manager known for litigation finance, before it was acquired by Burford in 2016. After the acquisition, he held the position of Managing Director at Burford. He later co-founded and served as Managing Partner of a prominent U.S. complex litigation law firm, contributing to hiring, strategy, and daily management, before rejoining Burford in 2024. His earlier career highlights include serving as in-house counsel at The Boeing Company, a litigator at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, and clerking for notable U.S. judicial figures, including Justice Anthony M. Kennedy and then-Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh.

In a notable move accompanying Lenkner’s promotion, Carrie Tendler has been elevated to Managing Director and Head of Burford’s Asset Recovery team. Having joined the firm in 2024 as Special Counsel focused on enforcing judgments in Burford-backed matters, she previously held a partner position at Kobre & Kim and practiced at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, where she represented institutional clients in civil and regulatory matters. Tendler also has a distinguished background, having clerked for the Honorable Paul J. Kelly, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

“Burford has a deep bench of talent, and Travis Lenkner and Carrie Tendler have quickly established themselves as strong business leaders,” remarked Christopher Bogart, CEO of Burford Capital. He elaborated that “Travis’s expanded role as Chief Operating Officer strengthens the firm and underscores the depth of leadership we have built across the business. He has built a strong partnership with our Chief Financial Officer, Jordan Licht, and together they will co-chair our Operating Committee, driving execution and continued growth across the business, while Jon Molot and I will continue to focus on portfolio performance and overall strategy.”