LAS VEGAS (August 25, 2014) -- Mark A. Clayton, a former member of the Nevada State Gaming Control Board and recognized as one of the top gaming attorneys in the world, has joined the international law firm Greenberg Traurig. Based in the firm’s Las Vegas office, Clayton joins the firm’s Global Gaming Practice, one of the leading law practices serving the gaming industry.
"Our strategies are all about making the strong even stronger, so that our clients reap the benefits of truly top-tier quality and service and also an extraordinary level of value in the areas we focus on," said Richard A. Rosenbaum, Greenberg Traurig’s Chief Executive Officer. "Mark Clayton is among the very top gaming lawyers not only in Las Vegas and the United States but globally, and with this addition to the Greenberg Traurig family, a practice group that is already among the leaders breaks into a level above the pack, truly in its own league as a resource to the growing gaming industry worldwide. Coupled with top real estate, entertainment, media, hospitality and technology practices across the firm, and with Mark working closely with Mike Bonner, Martha Sabol, Laura McAllister Cox and our other gaming lawyers, all cooperating as one team in a collaborative, unified firm, we provide an unmatched resource to the whole range of clients with interests in the gaming industry."
“Mark is one of the leading lawyers in the global gaming industry. We are thrilled that he will be part of our team to serve our diverse gaming industry clients,” said Martha A. Sabol, Chair of the firm’s Global Gaming Practice. “As the industry landscape evolves, he bolsters our capabilities in representing our clients’ needs on a local, national and global scale.”
Clayton was a shareholder in Lionel Sawyer & Collins' Gaming and Regulatory Law Department in Las Vegas. His practice focuses on gaming, public gaming companies, manufacturers and distributors of gaming equipment, legislation and assistance to clients and governments concerning gaming in other U.S. jurisdictions and in foreign countries.
“We are very excited that he has chosen to join our firm and our gaming industry group. Mark is one of the most respected gaming lawyers in the industry,” said Michael J. Bonner, Managing Shareholder of the firm’s Las Vegas office. “He is an exceptional attorney whose background and experience, particularly his roles as a member of the Nevada State Gaming Control Board and as in-house counsel to major gaming companies, will be a significant asset to our clients and our firm.”
Greenberg Traurig’s Global Gaming Group focuses not only on casino operations, but also addresses lotteries, pari-mutuel wagering, charitable gaming, tribal gaming, and Internet gaming, where permitted by law. Members of the group have varied backgrounds and are located throughout the firm’s offices, allowing them to assist gaming clients in this highly regulated industry across multiple U.S. jurisdictions and internationally. The group’s focus includes the representation of casino owners, operators and executives, gaming manufacturers and suppliers, private equity firms and investment banks on gaming related matters.
Clayton brings to Greenberg Traurig a wealth of experience, earned as a former member of the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, Chief of the Gaming Control Board's Corporate Securities Division, Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for Showboat, Inc., Vice President and General Counsel for Aladdin Gaming Holdings, LLC and Aladdin Gaming, LLC and Vice President-Corporate Law for Caesars Entertainment, Inc.
Clayton is consistently recognized as among the best in his field. He was listed as one of the top gaming attorneys in the world by the 2013 Chambers Global Guide and in the 2013 Best Lawyers in America for Gaming Law. The 2012 Chambers USA Guide included Clayton as one of the leading gaming attorneys. Nevada Business magazine named Clayton to its 2012 list of "Legal Elite," among the top two percent of all Nevada attorneys. He was named one of the "Top 10 Gaming Attorneys" by Las Vegas Business Press in 2012 and was recognized by Super Lawyers in 2011, 2012 and 2013. In 2009, he was honored by Las Vegas Business Press as one of the "Top 10 Lawyers" in Southern Nevada, acknowledged as the region's top attorney in the area of Gaming Law.
Clayton was an adjunct professor for gaming law and is a member of the Gaming Law Advisory Council at the William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He earned his J.D., with honors, from Pepperdine University and his B.S.B.A. (Accounting & Finance) from Washington University, St. Louis. He is an avid writer and lecturer.
“It is this platform, along with the firm’s presence, culture and reputation that attracted me. Focusing on my clients’ growing global needs is a top priority,” said Clayton.
“Greenberg Traurig is also uniquely situated to assist gaming clients because of our leading government relations practices in Washington, D.C. as well as in the four key state capitals of New York, California, Florida and Texas,” said Rosenbaum. “Recently, the firm bolstered that practice in Washington, D.C. with the addition of a 13-person team and Clayton is the most recent hire in the trend of strategic expansion in our Las Vegas office.”
Other recent additions in Las Vegas include Government Law & Policy shareholder Jonathan Leleu, who has extensive experience working with public bodies on economic development, tax, land use, and employment matters and Jodi R. Goodheart, a Real Estate and Corporate shareholder who has been named to Best Lawyers in America for the last 10 years.