noun
An agreement between a litigant and a person who is not a party to the
action, including the litigantÂ’s lawyer, for that person to pursue or
financially support the litigantÂ’s claim in exchange for a portion of any
damages awarded. The practice was once prohibited by the common law and it is
still forbidden in some states, thereby casting doubt on the legality of
lawyers advancing costs for their clients, as in the payment of expert witness
fees.
verb
To financially support or
otherwise maintain or promote another personÂ’s claim.