Taj J. Clayton, P.C.
Overview
Taj Clayton is a litigation partner in the Dallas office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Described as an “immensely talented” lawyer “who combines intellectual firepower and high emotional intelligence,” Taj has successfully represented Fortune 500 companies, major sports franchises and private equity firms in matters around the country. His complex litigation and trial practice is remarkably diverse with matters involving product liability, mass tort, antitrust, breach of contract and a wide range of intellectual property issues.
Taj’s practice has garnered him national recognition. He was named in Chambers USA for Litigation: General Commercial, and Lawdragon recognized him as one of 500 Leading Lawyers in America. Savoy named him one of the “Most Influential Black Lawyers” and Benchmark Litigation honored him as a Future Star for the past five years. D Magazine recognized him as one of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” and Dallas Business Journal named him to its “40 Under 40.”
Taj is also a widely-respected and active civic leader engaged in international, national and local nonprofit organizations. Taj previously served on the board of Signify Health (NYSE: SGFY) and as an Executive Advisor to New Mountain Capital. Prior to practicing law, Taj began his career in sports working for the National Football League.
Experience
Representative Matters
Since joining Kirkland, Taj has been involved in the following matters:
- Defended the Los Angeles Rams and its owner, E. Stanley Kroenke, in a multi-billion dollar breach of contract and fraud lawsuit arising from the relocation of the Rams football club to Los Angeles. Settlement achieved.
- Advised Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) in the adoption of a shareholder rights plan (poison pill) in response to the public announcement by activist hedge fund Elliott Management that it had accumulated a significant economic interest in Southwest Airlines.
- Represented a major corporation in personal injury litigation related to a consumer product. Plaintiff brought claims for strict products liability, negligence, fraud, misrepresentation and wrongful death. Settlement achieved prior to trial.
- Represented a major corporation in high-stakes civil litigation alleging negligence and alter ego claims arising out of an international incident involving multiple fatalities. Settlement achieved.
- Trial counsel for Eli Lilly in putative class actions, and related nationwide lawsuits, challenging pricing practices by insulin manufacturers.
- Represented Ariel Alternatives in its $1.45 billion closing of the “Project Black” fund, the first private equity initiative of Ariel Investments, that seeks to invest in middle-market companies that may not currently be minority-owned, as well as existing Black- or Latino/a-owned businesses.
- Counsel to large technology company in three cases brought pursuant to the First Amendment and a novel Texas social media censorship law. Obtained removal of state cases to federal court and transfer to California from Texas in vindication of rights under a forum selection clause.
- Trial counsel for Total E&P USA and Total Specialties in climate change litigation pending in the Northern District of California.
- Counsel for Surgical Care Affiliates in first criminal no poach case filed by DOJ. DOJ voluntarily dismissed the case against SCA without any fine or penalty.
- Defended JUUL Labs, Inc. and its co-founders in multidistrict litigation involving alleged fraudulent marketing and products liability claims related to JUUL e-cigarette and e-vapor products. Global resolution achieved.
- Represented Abbott Laboratories and its affiliate, Abbott Molecular, in a $30-plus million race discrimination/retaliation lawsuit brought by a former Abbott employee. After a two-week trial, a jury returned a unanimous defense verdict for Abbott.
- Represented Maverick Ventures in connection with SoftBank Vision Fund 2’s $300 million investment in LTK, a global influencer marketing platform.
Prior to joining Kirkland, Taj was involved in the following matters:
- Breach of Contract/Invasion of Privacy – Defended filmmakers of a Sundance Film Festival award-winning documentary in a lawsuit filed by one of the individuals depicted in the film on behalf of herself and her minor children alleging that the filmmakers breached an appearance/portrayal agreement by failing to pay money allegedly owed from the film. A jury returned a complete defense verdict for the filmmakers and awarded the plaintiff nothing.
- Product Liability – Defended client in over 12,000 individual product liability cases. The first bellwether trial ended in a defense verdict, and the vast bulk of cases settled thereafter.
- Patent Infringement – Represented a network security company in a lawsuit to recover for the infringement of one of its key patents. After a seven-day trial, a federal jury returned a multi-million dollar verdict in favor of client.
- Declaratory Judgment/Breach of Contract/Conversion – Represented a petrochemicals distribution company in a lawsuit against a former employee in an employment contract dispute. After exposing the legal flaws in the defendant’s case, the case settled on favorable terms.
- Retaliation/Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress – Obtained summary judgment on behalf of an electric distribution and transmission company in lawsuit filed by a current employee who alleged that his employer gave him poor performance reviews and disfavored work assignments in retaliation for registering complaints about the company.
- Breach of Fiduciary Duties/Breach of Contract/Fraud/Professional Malpractice/Tortious Interference with Contract – Represented a business executive in a lawsuit filed against his former business partner and legal counsel in connection with a dispute over the acquisition of a real estate finance entity through discovery, legal analysis and briefing. The case resulted in a favorable settlement.
- Trademark Infringement – Represented a trading and investment firm in a dispute involving the infringement of one of its key trademarks. After presenting the merits of client’s legal position to opposing side, the case settled.
- White Collar Crime – Defended numerous clients against investigations by the federal government.
- Trade Secret Theft – Represented a Fortune 50 computer/printer company in a multi-million dollar suit against former high-level employees who, while still employed by the client, covertly organized and began operating a competing business venture using the client’s resources, contacts, and trade secrets to steal product designs, market analyses and other confidential and proprietary business information. After prevailing in jurisdiction dispute, the case settled.
Clerk & Government Experience
Law ClerkHonorable Mark L. WolfUnited States District Court for the District of Massachusetts2005–2006
Prior Experience
More
Recognition
Named a “Future Star” by Benchmark Litigation, 2021–2025
Selected to Lawdragon's “500 Leading Lawyers in America,” 2021–2025
Named in Chambers USA for Litigation: General Commercial, 2023–2024
Named to “Most Influential Black Lawyers” by Savoy, 2022
Named to “Best Lawyers in Dallas” by D Magazine, 2018
Featured in multiple editions of “Who’s Who in Black Dallas”
Named a recipient of the Dallas Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” Award, 2016
Named an honoree for the 2016 Minority Business Leader Awards by the Dallas Business Journal, 2016
Named a “Texas Rising Star” by Super Lawyers, 2010, 2014 and 2015
Memberships & Affiliations
Taj is active nationally, internationally, and locally, serving on nonprofit boards including:
- Member, International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution Board
- Member, SMU Tate Lecture Series Board
- Member, Sponsors for Educational Opportunity Board of Directors
- Member, The Hockaday School Board
- Former Member, Harvard Club of Dallas Board
- Former Member, President’s Advisory Board for UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Former Member, Girls Inc. National Board of Directors
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- Texas
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Education
- Harvard Law SchoolJ.D.2005General Editor, Harvard Blackletter Law Journal and Journal on Legislation
- Harvard UniversityB.A., Historycum laude1999
Recipient, Harvard College Scholarship for Academic Achievement
Dean’s List, All Semesters