Experienced Seasoned and Passionate
About American Law Firm Capital
American Law Firm Capital, LLC (“ALFC”) has an exceptionally seasoned core team of lawyers and executives who have a combined 75 years of experience in the legal lending niche. The ALFC team is considered trusted experts in underwriting, evaluating and acquiring capital for mass torts and personal injury law firms. Under various ALFC brands, we have worked with thousands of lawyers since 2003.
We are proud of our reputation and are confident that you will be impressed with our team, knowledge and the tools we offer to help you marry the “business of law with the practice of law”
We look forward to earning your trust and business. Sincerely Jeff Huff President.
The Executive Team
Jeff Huff
President and Founder
Bio
He is the founder of American Law Firm Capital, a specialty finance company serving plaintiff lawyers nationally, and a co-founder of the National Legal Vendor Association, which set the industry standards for ethical excellence and compliance of legal vendors serving plaintiff law firms.
He sold his first business in his early twenties, scaled his next company internationally and sold it in his thirties, and has since founded multiple companies in finance and law, orchestrating capital for law firms from $1M to over $100M per transaction.
Jeff’s philosophy has never changed: anybody can give a lawyer money. The question is whether your capital partner is also plugged into making your firm successful.
Jeff is a frequent speaker, sponsor, facilitator, and co-founder across the national mass tort and personal injury trial lawyer community.
You can find him at Mass Torts Made Perfect (MTMP) in Las Vegas, the National Trial Lawyers Annual Convention in Miami, The Business of Law seminar in Phoenix, the American Association for Justice (AAJ), and the National Legal Vendor Association.
Jeff has spent his career helping law firms manage the “Business of Law,” including the financial uncertainty of running a plaintiff firm, so the firm can focus on the “Practice of Law”: fighting for their injured clients.
Robert J. Buckley. Esq.
Director of Underwriting
In-House Counsel
Bio
With 28 years of experience as a trial lawyer, and 15 years of underwriting and In-House Counsel experience, Attorney Buckley assists lenders and law firms in developing strategies to help achieve financial goals. His proven track record of developing and implementing effective data driven law firm underwriting processes combined with an ethics and integrity driven approach emphasizing transparency and open communication has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in law firm funding.
He owned Buckley & George Co, LPA, a six- attorney firm where he specialized in personal injury, bankruptcy, and appellate practice. His awards include Trial Lawyer of the Year, and Pro-Bono Special Recognition Award for his career commitment to representing indigent clients. He was a volunteer teacher at the Mahoning Police Academy, served as President of the Sigma Club, a charitable club benefiting underprivileged youth, and founded and served on the Board of Directors of The Micah Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund which provided college scholarships to worthy students.
After 28 years of practice, Bob sold his firm and moved to Phoenix where, after a brief retirement, began his work as In-House Counsel and Director of Underwriting for American Law Firm Capital, LLC, and American Law Firm Funding, LLC; He is a founding member of American Legal Administration, LLC which owns 50% equity in the National Legal Vendors Association and in 2021 founded Gorsa, LLC, an underwriting provider for mass tort and complex civil litigation cases. He is currently licensed in Ohio (active) and Texas (inactive) and is registered In-House Counsel for American Law Firm Capital, LLC.
A graduate of Cleveland Marshall Law School and Youngstown State University, cum laude, he has been married to his wife Marilyn for 47 years and they have two successful daughters and are proud grandparents. In his spare time, Bob enjoys hiking, mountain and trail bike riding, and golf.
Terri Buck
COO and Legal Analyst
Bio
Since joining the organization in 2007, Terri has played an instrumental role in the company’s growth and evolution. She provides executive oversight of underwriting, accounting, human resources, information technology, compliance, and operational strategy while partnering with the President and in-house attorneys to evaluate funding opportunities and optimize business operations.
Prior to joining ALFC, Terri spent more than 15 years in healthcare management, specializing in provider credentialing, managed care contracting, regulatory compliance, and network development. She earned an Associate Degree in Healthcare Management from Ashworth College.
Amanda Sterkel
Legal Analyst
Bio
Amanda Sterkel is a licensed California attorney with a diverse foundation in law and business.
Mrs. Sterkel joined American Law Firm Capital, LLC in 2018 as a Legal Analyst. Her research focus is in the areas of mass torts and class action litigation.
Mrs. Sterkel received her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, Tempe, in Justice Studies and a minor in Business. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Western State College of Law. While attending Western State, Mrs. Sterkel was a member of the Western State Law Review, as a Student Writer and then served as a Student Editor. Amanda is a published author in the Western State Law Review for her article: The Volcker Rule – The Prohibition, Compliance, and the Cost on the Small Bank, 41 W. St. U. L. Rev. 81 (2013).
Mrs. Sterkel has always had a profound interest in research and the legal field. Since joining American Law Firm Capital Mrs. Sterkel has proudly served as the inaugural Executive Director of the National Legal Vendor Association (“NLVA”) (formerly known as the Mass Tort Vendor Association (“MTVA”)). Additionally, Mrs. Sterkel is a member of American Legal Administration, LLC (“ALA”), a member owner of NLVA.
Ronnie Watkins
Director of Small Business Loans
Bio
He oversees each stage of the underwriting process, from conducting initial client interviews and gathering financial information to preparing comprehensive pre-Letter of Intent (LOI) funding memoranda for the funding committee. His analytical approach and commitment to client service help ensure that each financing opportunity is thoroughly evaluated and positioned for success.
Ronnie earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Business Administration from Grand Canyon University.
Brian Ruisinger
Legal Analyst
Bio
President and CEO of Republic Bank of Arizona (publicly traded symbol RBAZ)
Transitioned from CFO/COO to Pres/CEO in November 2019. The Bank was not profitable and in need of capital to support growth. Stock price was at $8.58. Capital was raised and the Bank grew from $108MM to $300MM in assets by the end of 2023. In early 2024 the Bank entered into a Definitive Agreement to sell. Sale closed on 5/2/25 at $23.28 (2.13X Book Value). Currently serving as Phoenix Market President of buyer, Pima Federal Credit Union (Tucson, AZ).
Executive Vice President and CFO/COO/ISO
Brian served as the CFO and COO as well as Interim Pres/CEO of Republic Bank of Arizona from 2018-2019, a community bank with $108MM in total assets established in 2007 in Phoenix, AZ.
Previously, he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank 1440, a Metropolitan Phoenix based commercial bank with $87MM in total assets. The bank’s Board of Directors elevated Brian from Chief Financial Officer to the role of CEO after federal regulators approved his promotion. Shareholders of Bank 1440 benefited from Brian’s leadership seeing a 384% increase (¢75 to $3.63) in the share price under his tenure as CEO. Brian led the sale of Bank 1440 to a larger regional bank in late 2014. Prior to his role as President and CEO, Brian served as CFO at First United Bank and Trust in Oklahoma, a commercial bank with $2.1B in assets, $142MM in revenues with 32 branches. He also served as CFO at Home National Bank in Scottsdale, Arizona, which had $800M in assets with 15 locations in 3 states. Previous, he served as CFO and Executive Vice President of Western Security Bank, a commercial bank with $200MM in total assets, which was acquired in 2007. Before his executive banking positions, Brian served as the Controller of an Arizona Semiconductor company where he led corporate finance and M&A activities, including the due diligence and syndication on acquisitions as large as $750MM. Prior, he served as the Controller, Chief Accounting Officer and Manager of Investor Relations of a Bank
Holding Company in Kansas City. In his capacity, he completed an IPO, secondary offerings and the acquisition of multiple banks and financial service companies over a four year period, helping to grow the holding company from $250MM to $2.68B in assets. Prior to his role in mergers and acquisitions, Brian spent nine years in public accounting serving as a V.P. and Senior Consultant for GRA, Thompson White & Co after working as a Senior Accountant for KPMG, a leading national accounting and consulting firm. Brian has a current appointment to the Advisory Board of Directors for the University of Nebraska School of Accountancy and maintains active support for the Arizona Humane Society and the University of Nebraska Foundation and Alumni Association. He has a Baccalaureate of Science in Accounting from the University of Nebraska and holds a CPA certificate from the State of Kansas. Brian and his wife, Linda, reside in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Hoyt Neal, Esq.
Business Development
Bio
Hoyt Neal, Esq. brings a rare combination of financial, operational, and legal-industry expertise to American Law Firm Capital, having spent his career at the intersection of law firm operations and litigation capital. He has served as CFO, COO, and Chief Strategy Officer for mass tort and personal injury law firms across the country, giving him firsthand insight into how firms manage cash flow, case inventory, and growth—and where the right funding partner can make the difference between a firm that scales and one that stalls.
On the capital side, Hoyt has held roles as Director of Legal Investments and Chief Investment Officer for hedge funds, private equity groups, and family offices focused on litigation finance and the broader legal industry. That dual perspective—operating inside law firms while underwriting and deploying capital into them—allows him to speak both languages fluently, structure funding relationships that work for firms rather than against them, and anticipate the questions each side of the table will ask before they are asked.
Hoyt also advises legal and legal-adjacent businesses on regulatory compliance through LandMineLabs, giving him a working knowledge of the risk landscape firms and funders operate in today. Working with attorneys and firm leadership nationwide, his focus is building long-term, trust-based relationships grounded in a clear understanding of what firms actually need from a funding partner.
Jenn Robertson
Business Development
Bio
Jenn Robertson is a highly accomplished professional in the legal industry, specializing in mass torts, marketing, sales, and legal expertise. Since 2010, she has been instrumental in building strong connections between law firms, legal vendors, and litigation leadership. Her extensive experience in legal marketing, combined with her deep understanding of mass tort law, has made her an invaluable consultant to both law firms and investment partners.
From 2015 to early 2023, Jenn was Senior Vice President of Business Development at one of the largest legal marketing agencies in the country. In this role, she was responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with top-tier law firms across the nation. By connecting co-counsel with leading firms for complex litigation, Jenn solidified her position among the top 1% of business development professionals in the industry.
Prior to that role, Jenn worked as a paralegal for attorney Paul Sizemore from 2010 to 2014, where she contributed to thousands of individual cases at every stage of litigation, from intake through trial. This experience gave her invaluable insight into the intricacies of case acquisition, vetting, and litigation. Recognizing her contributions, Sizemore promoted Jenn to Director of PR and Marketing for the Sizemore Law Firm, where she managed the firm’s co-counsel relationships and ensured a steady stream of case referrals.
Jenn’s career in marketing began as the Marketing Manager for Community Physicians of California, where she developed a program to establish exclusive referral relationships between radiologists and surgeons in the state. Earlier in her career, she managed customer accounts at McGhan Medical in Santa Barbara, California, working with surgeons in the Southeast and in international territories.
Sory Rivera
Business Development
Bio
Sory Rivera is a sales and business development consultant who partners with ALF Capital to bring its Bridge Exchange model to plaintiff law firms. Through Sory Rivera’s Consulting, she helps connect firms with the capital they need while guiding them through the funding process from first conversation to close.
A veteran of the U.S. Air National Guard, Sory brings 24 years of business experience and a relationship-first approach to litigation funding, prioritizing transparency, trust, and long-term partnerships over transactions. Clients value her straightforward communication and her commitment to making sure they understand their options before moving forward.
Based in Miami, Sory is an avid golfer and a proud Philadelphia sports fan when she’s not working with clients.