Clare CONNELLAN

Clare is a Partner based in White & Case's London office and works with the International Arbitration and Construction and Engineering Groups. She advises companies, state entities, contractors, owners and operators on the resolution of complex disputes, with a particular focus on disputes within the construction and engineering industry.

Clare has been involved in arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, LMAA and CRCICA rules, as well as ad hoc arbitrations, including under the UNCITRAL rules. Clare also advises on alternative dispute resolution, including mediation, and is a CEDR-accredited mediator. She has spent time on secondment to the LCIA as counsel.

Clare co-leads the Firm's Global Sustainability & Responsible Business Practice and sits on the Firm's Responsible Business committee. She is consulted in relation to issues involving the UN Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines, SDGs and UN Global Compact; dispute resolution; greenwashing; sustainability compliance and statements; human rights, risk assessments, due diligence and reputational issues; supply chain governance and risk assessments; corporate disclosures and sustainability reporting; and tailored human rights training.

Clare provides pro bono support on business and human rights issues, including for multi-stakeholder initiatives. She obtained a certificate in Business Sustainability Management from CISL in 2021, and completed the Oxford Sustainable Business programme at Said Business School in 2024.

Clare "is an extremely able partner who stands out for her expert handling of construction disputes across an array of jurisdictions" (Who's Who Legal 2022, Future Leaders: Construction ). She wins praise for her significant expertise in construction and engineering disputes, with impressed respondents highlighting her as "excellent" and "particularly strong on ESG matters". (Who's Who Legal 2022, Future Leaders: Arbitration). Peers say Clare is a "fast, efficient and a quick thinker" (Legal 500, 2019), "a very talented disputes lawyer", and "particularly knowledgeable in the field of complex construction disputes" (Who's Who Legal, Future Leaders 2019). Clare has been honoured on the Legal 500 International Arbitration UK Private Practice Powerlist 2019 and 2022.

Chambers Global 2023 identifies Clare as a notable practitioner for Business & Human Rights: Clare Connellan advises corporations and mining companies on human rights due diligence, supply chain risk assessment and compliance with modern slavery legislation. She has "incredible experience and really brings a lot of insight into alternative dispute resolution and how it relates to business and human rights." Sources hail Connellan as a "fantastic lawyer," who is "great in this area,"extremely bright and knows what she's doing"; and with "strong expertise."