Drew Clayton

Drew Clayton’s practice focuses on securities arbitration and litigation. He worked in the securities industry in mutual fund marketing and as a registered representative in New York and New Jersey for five years before he became an attorney. Drew held a number of securities and insurance licenses as a result of that work. He was also the vice president of operations for a New York based company that drilled oil and gas wells for investment partnerships in various states throughout the United States in the mid-1980s.

Drew has been involved in hundreds of securities-related disputes during his 34-year career, and has not only represented customers in cases against financial advisors and brokerage firms, but investors in closely-held businesses, securities industry employees in disputes with their former employers, and in regulatory proceedings initiated by state and federal regulators as well as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Prior to joining Icard Merrill in 2016, Drew was the founder and owner of The Clayton Law Firm, P.A. in Sarasota, Florida for 20 years. Before that, he worked for highly-regarded law firms in Florida and New Jersey. Throughout his many years of practice, he has been engaged in securities and business-related litigation and arbitration.

• The Best Lawyers in America, 2023
• Elite Top Attorneys, Sarasota Magazine, 2020, 2021, 2022
• AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
• Florida Super Lawyers, 2012-2018, 2020-2022
• Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine, 2013-2014
• Professionalism Award, Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court, 2012
• Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator, 2001-present

• President, Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court, 2010-2011
• Member, Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court, 1993-2013
• Sarasota County Bar Association
  • President, 2019
  • President-Elect, 2019
  • Director, 2013-2017
• Public Investors Bar Association, 1992-present
• Major, United States Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, 1989-2003
• President, The Players Theater, Sarasota 1998-2003
• Founding Scoutmaster, Troop 895, Sarasota, FL 1995-1998
• Member, Sarasota County Human Services Advisory Council, 2003-2007
• Chairman, Sarasota Transitional Housing Committee, 2008-2010
• Supervisor, University Place Community Development District, 2008-2011
• Treasurer, Sarasota Westwind Flyers, Inc. flying club, 2015 – present
• President, Sherwood Forest Homeowners Association, 2016 – present

• How to Assess and Prosecute a Potential Investment-Related Case, Course Presenter, 2021
• Why Civility Continues to Matter, The Docket, Sarasota County Bar Association (SCBA), April 2019
• Understanding Finance – It’s More than Money Financial Series (webinar), Hot Button Issues in Investment Disputes, 2010
• Charlotte Estate Planning Council – Current Issues in Investment Disputes, 2010
• Venice Estate Planners – Current topics in investment-related disputes, 2009
• Sarasota Estate Planners – Current topics in investment-related disputes, 2009
• PIABA Annual meeting – Duties after the sale, 2009
• Analyzing Cases in Good and Bad Investment Markets
• The Securities Arbitration Process