E. Steele Clayton, IV
Member
Nashville
(615) 742-6205
sclayton@bassberry.com
https://www.bassberry.com/professionals/clayton-e-steele/
Steele Clayton helps his clients resolve their business and commercial disputes. Whether negotiating or litigating a resolution, Steele believes that economic sensibility and the long term best interest of the client’s business should always be in the forefront. Over the last 20 years, Steele has helped clients resolve a wide variety of business and commercial disputes in state and federal courts throughout the United States as well as in private arbitrations and mediations. Steele also serves as the vice chair of the firm’s Antitrust and Trade Practices Group where he provides training and counseling to his clients as well as representing clients in private and government litigation matters.
Steele’s practice involves:
- Antitrust & Trade Practices – Advising clients with respect to the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, the Robinson-Patman Act and state antitrust laws across a variety of industry sectors in private lawsuits and actions brought by federal and state enforcement agencies; designing, implementing and training on antitrust compliance programs; defending clients with respect to consumer class actions and other trade-specific claims.
- Business Disputes – Representing companies in various commercial disputes including contract disputes, fraud, misrepresentations, interference with business relations, breach of fiduciary duty, consumer protection acts, the Uniform Commercial Code, securities violations, post-merger and asset purchase disputes between buyers and sellers, trade secrets and non-compete and non-solicitation matters; counseling clients with respect to their contracts and other business documents with an eye toward litigation issues.
- Internal Investigations – Conducting internal investigations for both public and private companies relating to antitrust, financial reporting, internal controls, company policies and procedures and officer and director malfeasance.
While his antitrust practice covers a wide range of industries, a significant portion of his practice is in the healthcare industry. His experience as a CPA gives him an in-depth understanding of business generally and the financial issues that are relevant in business litigation or an investigation.
Memberships
Nashville Bar Association — Chancery and Circuit Court Committee, Chair (2010-2012)
Nashville Bar Foundation
Tennessee Bar Association
South Carolina Bar Association
American Bar Association
American Health Law Association (AHLA) — Antitrust Practice Group, Vice-Chair (June 2012-present)
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. — Executive Committee; Board of Directors
Publications
Media Mentions & Firm News
Accolades
Best Lawyers® — Nashville Litigation: Antitrust “Lawyer of the Year” (2023, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2015)
The Best Lawyers in America© — Commercial Litigation; Litigation: Antitrust (2011-2024)
Nashville Bar Foundation — Fellow
Certified Public Accountant (1990-1995)