Clayton J. Smith

Clayton is an attorney in Taft’s Environmental practice group. He counsels a diverse range of clients on environmental and regulatory needs, including clients who are engaged in industrial and commercial operations, and clients who manufacture, distribute, and/or process chemicals or agricultural and antimicrobial products. Clayton advises clients on environmental litigation and enforcement matters, permitting, and helps clients navigate regulatory compliance issues.

Clayton’s work at Taft includes recent work on matters related to emerging contaminants, including advising municipalities and companies on managing compliance and potential liabilities associated with PFAS and CERCLA. Clayton has also routinely assisted clients by advising them on compliance with federal environmental laws and regulations (e.g., CERCLA, FIFRA, RCRA, CWA), prosecuting and defending private party lawsuits involving environmental claims, advising clients on regulatory inspections and enforcement actions, including by coordinating the performance of environmental and compliance audits, advising companies on responding to EPA and government requests for information under CERCLA and FIFRA, and drafting and negotiating agreements, including manufacturing and distribution agreements and environmental indemnities. Clayton frequently assists clients in navigating compliance with FIFRA  as it relates to the production, packaging, labeling, distribution, marketing, and development of pesticide products. Clayton’s experience further involves helping teams in corporate and real estate transactions to manage environmental due diligence and negotiate environmental provisions of the agreement(s).

Along with contributing to Taft’s Environmental group, Clayton serves as the President of the Chicago Chapter for the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. Clayton earned his J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and his B.A. in political science from the University of Minnesota. At Minnesota, he competed in NCAA Division One swimming for the Men’s Swimming and Diving Team, serving as team captain and becoming an academic and athletic All-American.

Clayton is licensed to practice in Ohio and his Illinois license is pending.

• “MPCA Seeks Comments on Currently Unavoidable Uses of Intentionally Added PFAS,” PFAS Insights Blog, Feb. 22, 2024.
• “6th Circuit Declines to Resolve PFAS Coverage Dispute,” PFAS Insights Blog, July 18, 2023.
• “EPA Sampling Raises Questions on Prior Detections of PFAS in Pesticide Products,” PFAS Insights Blog, July 10, 2023.
• “EPA Releases New Method of Testing for PFAS in Pesticide Products,” PFAS Insights Blog, July 10, 2023.