Forge & TA Associates Partner to Overhaul Personal Injury Finance

ATLANTA, GA & BOSTON, MA – February 02, 2026 – The Forge Companies, a specialized provider of financial services for the personal injury sector, has announced a strategic partnership with TA Associates, a leading global private equity firm. The collaboration is poised to channel significant capital and strategic resources into Forge's mission: to streamline and unify the complex financial landscape that follows personal injury litigation, ultimately expanding the firm's reach and enhancing its integrated service platform.

This partnership marks a pivotal moment for a niche but critical corner of the financial services industry, signaling strong investor confidence in a model designed to bring order to a historically chaotic process for law firms and their clients.

A Solution to a Fragmented System

For decades, plaintiff attorneys and their clients have navigated a fractured and often frustrating system after a settlement is reached. The process typically involved juggling multiple, disconnected vendors for structured settlements, trust administration, wealth management, and other financial needs. This multi-vendor approach not only created a significant administrative burden for law firms but also introduced risks and inefficiencies, often leaving injured families without the cohesive, long-term financial structure necessary for their future well-being.

It was this exact challenge that The Forge Companies was founded to address in 2003. Headquartered in Atlanta, the firm pioneered a unified platform that brings the full spectrum of settlement planning and financial services under a single roof. By engaging early in the legal process, Forge’s integrated team coordinates all financial considerations, allowing attorneys to operate more efficiently while delivering more thoughtful and robust financial outcomes for clients facing life-altering circumstances.

The company's comprehensive model is built on four core business lines:

• Forge Consulting: Specializes in customized structured settlement annuity planning and insurance solutions.
• Advocacy Wealth Management: Provides tailored wealth management and long-term financial planning for injured families.
• Advocacy Trust: Focuses on the intricate needs of Special Needs Trust planning and administration.
• Forge Capital: Offers a suite of financial services aimed at law firms themselves, including streamlined E&O underwriting support, IOLTA organization, and case cost accounting.

This integrated structure stands as Forge's primary differentiator in a market where competitors often specialize in only one or two facets of the settlement process.

Private Equity Sees Value in a Niche Market

The decision by a major private equity player like TA Associates to invest in Forge underscores the growing recognition of the value in specialized, mission-driven financial services. With a history of scaling profitable companies since 1968 and over 60 platform investments in the financial services sector, TA brings deep industry expertise to the partnership. The firm’s investment thesis appears to be centered on Forge’s unique market position and proven model.

“Forge has developed a highly differentiated platform that combines specialized financial expertise with a clear commitment to serving families at critical points in their lives,” said Michael Berk, Managing Director at TA, in the original announcement. “We are excited to partner with Spooner, Cory, and the entire Forge team to support the Company’s continued evolution and deepen its impact across the U.S.”

This sentiment was echoed by TA Senior Vice President Hunter Fortney, who noted the company's strong foundation for future success. “We believe Forge’s mission-driven culture, breadth of capabilities, and thoughtful approach to growth position the Company well for its next chapter,” Fortney stated.

The partnership is designed to empower Forge to accelerate its growth thoughtfully. While the company will remain founder-led, TA's backing will provide the capital needed to invest in technology, expand into new geographic markets, and recruit more specialized talent to its team-based model.

The Growing Demand for Structured Financial Futures

The timing of this partnership aligns with powerful tailwinds in the settlement industry. The market for structured settlements is experiencing a significant surge, with industry reports indicating that a record $9.8 billion of settlement proceeds were structured in 2024, a remarkable 58% increase from 2022. This growth is fueled by a confluence of factors, including higher interest rates that make annuities more attractive and a greater awareness of the profound tax benefits associated with structuring proceeds from personal injury and wrongful death cases.

As settlements grow larger and more complex, the need for expert, coordinated financial planning becomes more acute. The tax-free income and long-term security offered by structured settlements and the protection provided by Special Needs Trusts are powerful tools, but their effective implementation requires sophisticated expertise. The stable regulatory environment, supported by favorable IRS rulings and industry advocacy, provides a solid foundation for these services.

This growing demand amplifies the value proposition of an integrated provider like Forge, which can navigate the entire financial ecosystem on behalf of a client, ensuring all pieces work together seamlessly for maximum benefit and long-term security.

Redefining Life After Litigation

Ultimately, the impact of this partnership aims to extend beyond corporate growth metrics to the individuals and families at the heart of the personal injury system. For law firms, a more robust and technologically advanced Forge platform promises greater operational efficiency and a reduced administrative load, freeing them to focus on their primary role of legal advocacy.

For injured clients, the implications are even more profound. The collaboration reinforces a shift away from viewing a settlement as a single transaction and toward establishing a foundation for a lifetime of financial wellness. This is a mission that has been central to Forge since its inception.

“Forge was founded to help families navigate financial complexity during moments of profound change,” said Spooner Phillips, Co-Founder and CEO of Forge. “Partnering with TA enables us to extend our platform to even more families, providing long-term support when it matters most.”

His co-founder and President, Cory Phillips, added that TA's background makes them an ideal collaborator. “TA’s experience partnering with founder-led businesses, combined with a deep understanding of the wealth management and insurance industries, makes them a strong partner as we continue to expand our capabilities and resources.”

With the backing of a global investment powerhouse, The Forge Companies is now better positioned than ever to scale its vision, aiming to ensure that more families who endure life-altering events have the expert guidance and integrated structure needed to plan for and secure their financial future.