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Claire Rajan

Partner

Email

claire.rajan@aoshearman.com

Phone

+1 202 683 3869

Offices

Washington DC

V-CARD
Claire’s cross-border practice includes representing multinational corporate clients in investigations. 

Her primary focus is on anti-corruption laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and political laws, which regulate how companies engage with government entities. Claire' s experience includes cross-border litigation, federal and state government investigations, internal investigations, transactional due diligence, and compliance risk assessments.

Claire represents clients across various sectors, including technology, media, oil & gas, mining, renewables, engineering, financial services (banks, private equity, and asset managers), and consumer goods.

Claire' s investigations practice includes government-facing and internal investigations relating to corruption, fraud, sanctions, and anti-competitive behavior. She also represents clients in World Bank investigations.

Claire has extensive experience evaluating and enhancing corporate compliance programs, including advising clients during and after FCPA investigations to remediate and comply with self-reporting obligations regarding development of the compliance program. She also has in-house experience from multiple secondments to major global financial services providers.

Claire is Political Law Group Lead, which advises multinational corporations and financial institutions on federal, state, and local regulations on campaign finance, pay-to-play, electoral engagement, lobbying, ethics, conflicts of interest, and gifts to public officials.

Claire has been recognized by Chambers USA from 2017 through 2021, noting that Claire "is deeply experienced in political law enforcement and litigation." According to Chambers, "clients praise her 'incredible judgment,' " explaining "she is very fast to . . . zero-in on the most important aspects of a legal issue. She has a very sensible approach towards finding practical solutions."

Prior to joining the firm, Claire worked as a litigation attorney for the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and served as counsel to Commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub. Her FEC litigation experience includes matters at the United States Supreme Court, as well as various federal circuit and district courts throughout the United States.

Experience

Pro bono

Filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of The Brennan Center for Justice relating to a campaign finance provision that restricts a candidate’s ability to repay loans to oneself post-election.

Drafted an amicus brief in the Eleventh Circuit on behalf of the National Women’s Law Center to oppose Alabama’s policy regarding transgender people listing accurate gender markers on driver’s licenses.

Drafted a “Know Your Rights Guide” for the Committee to Protect Journalists on First and Fourth amendment rights for journalists covering protests in the U.S., which has been shared by the White House Correspondents Association and is sent to newsrooms across the country in advance of protests.

Published Work

  • “With new guidance and expertise, the DOJ mounts ‘compliance surge,” The FCPA Blog, with Billy Jacobson (September 20, 2022) 
  • “DOJ announces new policies on corporate prosecution,” Allen & Overy Investigations Insight (September 19, 2022)
  • “Expect more FCPA enforcement: Biden administration names corruption a national security interest,” Allen & Overy Investigations Insight (December 21, 2021)
  • “Germany enacts new federal lobbying law and mandatory register,” Allen & Overy Investigations Insight (March 29, 2021)

Speaking Engagements

  • Panelist, Complex Matter Management, SIFMA Compliance & Legal Annual Seminar, March 2022.
  • Panel Co-moderator: “Disinformation: The Challenges to Democracy,” sponsored by the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice and the Canadian Bar Association’s Section on Constitutional and Human Rights, June 2021.
  • Panel Co-moderator: “Social Media: Challenges and Opportunities in Free Speech,” sponsored by the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice and the Canadian Bar Association’s Section on Constitutional and Human Rights, June 2021.
  • Moderator, SIFMA Women’s Leadership Forum panel on “Developing Your Personal Brand,” March 2021.

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Co-Chair of the American Bar Association Free Speech & Free Press Section of the Civil Rights & Social Justice Committee.

Qualifications

Admissions

Registered Foreign Lawyer, England and Wales, 2024

Admitted: Bar of the United States Supreme Court, 2021

Admitted: Bar of the District of Columbia, 2012

Admitted: Bar of the State of California, 2005

Admitted: U.S. Court of Appeals Second Circuit, 2015

Fourth Circuit, 2008

Fifth Circuit, 2010

Ninth Circuit, 2009

Academic

J.D., American University Washington College of Law, 2005 

B.A., University of California at Los Angeles, 2001

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.