John is one of the accomplished lawyers who was promoted to the partnership, effective January 1, 2022. Watch the video to meet John here.
Represents public and private companies in connection with capital markets transactions, proxy and consent solicitations and corporate governance matters.
Advises public companies in connection with ongoing Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting obligations.

John Patrick Clayton advises clients on complex capital markets transactions, SEC disclosure issues and corporate governance matters. He has represented issuers and private equity sponsors in a wide variety of securities offerings, including initial public offerings, follow-on and secondary offerings, high-yield debt offerings and PIPE financings. John also regularly provides SEC counsel to clients in connection with going private transactions, spin-offs, tender offers, de-SPACs and other public M&A deals.

While in law school, John participated in a semester-long externship at the SEC. During this time, he worked in the Division of Enforcement, where he assisted SEC attorneys in the investigation of securities laws violations.

As an Akin Pro Bono Scholar, John worked at the KIPP Foundation, where he assisted the general counsel in providing legal guidance to the foundation and the various KIPP schools throughout the country.

Previously, John taught special education in Charlotte, N.C., as a member of Teach for America, and he continues to be active in education reform.

Representative Work

Regularly advises several New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq-listed companies across a variety of industries in connection with their corporate governance, ongoing SEC reporting requirements and capital-raising activities.
Advised a retailer in its $10.95 billion investment grade notes offering.
Advised CIIG Merger Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, in its $5.4 billion merger with Arrival.
Advised RCCH HealthCare Partners, which is owned by certain funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC, in its recent take-private acquisition of LifePoint Health, Inc. and in its prior acquisition of Capella Health Holdings. The company, now known as LifePoint Health, Inc., operates regional health systems, physician practices, outpatient centers and post-acute facilities in more than 85 non-urban communities that span coast to coast.
Advised WMIH Corp. in its completed $3.8 billion acquisition of Nationstar Mortgage Holdings Inc.
Advised Novitex Holdings, Inc., a private company owned by Apollo Global Management, LLC, in a business combination involving the company SourceHOV Holdings, Inc. and Quinpario Acquisition Corp. 2, a special-purpose acquisition company, to form Exela Technologies, Inc.

Education
J.D., University of Michigan Law School, cum laude, 2013
M.A., New York University, 2007
B.M., University of North Texas, cum laude, 2005

Bar Admissions
Texas

Affiliations and Public Service

Akin Pro Bono Scholar, KIPP Foundation (2011).
Leadership ISD Fellow (2017-2018).

Speeches and Publications

Panelist, “Optimizing the Relationship Between the General Counsel and the Outside Auditor: Legal, Practical, and Ethical Considerations,” SMU Dedman School of Law’s 27th Annual Corporate Counsel Symposium, October 18, 2019.