
ABOUT
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.
HONORS
- 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
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
- 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
PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
- 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
NEWS
- Icard Merrill Attorneys Honored as 2022 Elite Top Attorneys
- Twelve Icard Merrill Attorneys Honored as 2023 Best Lawyers
- Nine Icard Merrill Attorneys Selected as 2022 Florida Super Lawyers
- Icard Merrill Attorneys Honored as 2021 Elite Top Attorneys
- Icard Merrill Attorneys Named to 2021 Florida Super Lawyers
- Icard Merrill Renews Commitment to Pro Bono Service
- SCBA Recognizes Drew Clayton for Service
- Icard Merrill Attorneys Named 2020 Elite Top Attorneys
- “Pandemic Increases Need for Legal Aid,” Sarasota Herald-Tribune, July 12, 2020
- Ten Icard Merrill Attorneys Named 2020 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Drew Clayton Inducted as President of Sarasota County Bar Association
- Drew Clayton Featured on Cover of SCBA’s The Docket
- Drew Clayton Inducted as President-Elect of Sarasota County Bar Association
- Ten Icard Merrill Attorneys Named to 2018 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
EDUCATION
- Washington & Lee University, 1978-1980
- Seton Hall University, B.A., 1981
- Seton Hall University School of Law, J.D., 1987
ADMISSIONS
- New Jersey, 1987
- New York, 1987
- Florida, 1988
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 1988
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1988
- U.S. Court of Military Appeals, 1989
- U.S. District Court, District of Florida, 1992
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1992
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2014