Clayton is an experienced transactional attorney clients trust to navigate mergers and acquisitions, private securities offerings, venture capital transactions, joint ventures, and other complex transactional matters. He has a broad base of transactional experience across many industries with a particular focus on the energy sector and renewable energy projects, where he frequently represents utilities, private equity, and developers. Clayton understands complex transactions and helps clients navigate the range of agreements and issues inherent in such transactions. He focuses on providing clients with collaborative, pragmatic advice and business guidance to help them execute on strategic objectives and achieve successful business results.

Energy and Natural Resources

• Represented a public utility company in the acquisition of numerous solar projects representing hundreds of megawatts in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Ohio, including that company’s largest solar project acquisition.
• Represented a public utility company in the acquisition of multiple solar projects representing hundreds of megawatts in ERCOT, including that company’s two largest solar project acquisitions.
• Represented public utility company in connection with renewable natural gas project acquisitions and development agreements.
• Represented a public utility company in the acquisition of a renewable natural gas project via a joint venture with the developer of the project.
• Represented a public utility company in connection with acquisitions and the entry into development agreements with project developers to provide for the development of dozens of renewable natural gas projects across several states.
• Represented a solar owner and operator in the acquisition of a portfolio of thousands of residential rooftop solar assets.
• Represented a large, family owned natural resources companies with respect to its transactional activities, including its largest transformative transaction.
• Represented a private equity fund in connection with its $250 million investment in, and the creation of, an oil and gas investment fund.
• Represented a public natural resources company in a $7.5 billion merger.
• Represented a public natural resources company in a $960 million acquisition.

Manufacturing

• Represented a public chemical company in connection with an international joint venture and supply relationship, as well as other mergers, acquisitions, and corporate maters.
• Represented an ESOP-owned manufacturing company in connection with its sale to a public company.
• Represented a private packaging manufacturing company in the sale of its business.
• Represented a foreign public manufacturing company in the sale of its U.S. operations.
• Represented a public company in the acquisition of a plastic manufacturing business.

Technology

• Represented a publicly traded biotech company in connection with its initial public offering.
• Represented a cloud-storage company in connection with its sale to a public company.
• Represented a payments technology company in its sale to a private equity buyer.
• Represented a private equity fund in connection with investments in and acquisitions of various biotech companies.
• Represented a private equity fund in connection with an investment in a web-based communications company.

Health Care

• Represented a health care portfolio company of a private equity fund in the acquisition of other health care businesses.
• Represented a health care technology company in its sale to a public company.
• Represented a health care company in the acquisition of a production facility.
• Represented a private equity fund in the sale of a health care-related business and manufacturing facility and the spin-off of a related medical practice.
• Represent a large medical practice with respect to corporate and transactional matters.

Other

• Served as outside general counsel to a private investment services company.
• Served as outside general counsel to a venture-capital-funded hospitality company and represented the company in connection with multiple financing rounds, bridge financings and an eventual exit.
• Represented an information technology staffing company in a $600 million merger with a public company and a related $100 million public offering.
• Represented a public media company in connection with a $1.6 billion merger.
• Represented numerous investors and issuers in venture capital investments and other private offerings.

• Legal 500 United States for Energy: Energy Transactions: Electric Power (2024-2025)
• Best Lawyers in America®: Corporate Law (2023-2026)
• Virginia Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (2009-2018)
• Recipient of Troutman Sanders LLP 2010 James C. Roberts Award for Outstanding Achievement in Pro Bono Service