Clare is a highly experienced litigation finance professional. Clare is primarily responsible for the development and growth of Woodsford’s business in Australia.

Clare was Woodsford’s first “boots on the ground” in Australia and since Clare joined, Woodsford has seen significant growth in its Australian business particularly in the ESG related class actions space. Clare’s efforts and success in originating claims and developing and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders in the Australian market, has significantly contributed to the large portfolio of ESG related class actions that Woodsford is currently funding in Australia, as well as Woodsford’s recognition by many clients in Australia as their “go to” funder and trusted business partner.

Our clients say:

“Clare is an outstanding litigation funding professional. She has excellent legal acumen and a great understanding of the business imperatives of her law firm clients and their clients. Working with Clare is an absolute pleasure”.
                                                                                                                               Jan Saddler, Managing Director, JGA Saddler (Brisbane)

 “Clare’s point of difference is her wealth of experience as both a lawyer and litigation funder, as well as her focus on commercial outcomes. In my experience Clare’s legal acumen stands out as a value add, giving her a deep understanding of all the nuances of the funder-law firm relationship. This makes working with Clare an easy choice.”
                                                                                                                               Craig Allsopp, Joint Head of Class Actions, Shine Lawyers (Sydney)

“Clare is highly experienced, well-connected and expertly versed in developments impacting the funding market. Her extreme focus, tenacity and calm demeanour make her a pleasure to work with”.
                                                                                                                                  Odette McDonald, Director, Phi Finney McDonald (Melbourne)

Based in Australia, Clare is a dual qualified lawyer admitted to practise as a solicitor in both the UK and Australia with over 25 years’ experience in commercial litigation – initially in the UK (as partner and head of team at leading, global law firm, Pinsent Masons) and subsequently in Australia having moved to Australia in 2011. Clare has over 9 years’ experience in litigation funding.

Clare has extensive experience in handling high value, large scale, complex, commercial disputes in a broad range of areas and a wide variety of courts having litigated in both the UK and Australia including in the High Court of England and its’ appeal courts; the Supreme Courts of Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, their appeal courts and the High Court of Australia; as well as the Federal Court of Australia. Prior to leaving the UK, Clare’s expertise was recognised by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 in which she was noted both as a key individual and notable practitioner being described as “highly focused and dedicated” and praised for her “tremendous intellect” as well as her “sensitive advice and perceptive mind”.

While in the UK, Clare also obtained accreditation as an ADR group (UK) mediator from 2009.

Prior to joining Woodsford, Clare was an investment manager with an ASX listed Australian litigation funding company.