Jay Clayton is an American lawyer who has been serving as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York since 2025. He served as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission from 2017 to 2020. In June 2026, Trump announced Clayton as his nominee for the position of Director of National Intelligence.
Jay Clayton Biography
| Full Name | Walter Joseph Clayton II |
| Nickname | Jay Clayton |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Date of Birth | 11 July 1966 |
| Age | 59 years old (as of June 2026) |
| Birth Place | Newport News, Virginia, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| School | Nether Providence High School, Wallingford Pennsylvania |
| College | Lafayette College University of Pennsylvania University of Cambridge University of Pennsylvania Law School |
| Education Qualification | Bachelor of Arts in engineering Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1988 Juris Doctor in 1993 |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
Jay Clayton Age
Jay Clayton (Walter Joseph Clayton III) was born on 11 July 1966, in Newport News, Virginia, United States of America. He is 59 years old as of June 2026, and his zodiac sign is Capricorn.
Jay Clayton Wife
| Marital Status | Married |
| Affairs/Girlfriend | Not known |
| Spouse/Wife | Gretchen Bulter Clayton |
| Children | Three – Jasper, Wyatt, and Haley |
Jay Clayton Family
| Father’s Name | Walter Clayton Jr. |
| Mother’s Name | Kathryn “Kathi” Kerwin Clayton |
| Brother’s Name | Kerwin Clayton and Andew Clayton |
| Sister’s Name | N/A |
Career
| 1993 to 1995 | He served as a law clerk for Judge Marvin Katz of the U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania |
| 1995 to 2017 | He joined the international law film Sullivan & Cromwell, and served there over 20 years |
| 2017 to 2020 | Served as the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission |
| 2021 to 2025 | Returned to private as of Counsel and senior Policy Advisor at Sullivan & Cromwell |
| 2025 | He got appointed as the interim U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York |
| Juen 2026 | President Doanld Trump nominated Jay Clayton to serve as the U.S. Director of National Intelligence |
Jay Clayton Height And Weight
| Height (approx) | In centimeters – 167 cm In meters – 1.67 In feet & inches – 5’5” |
| Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 82 kg In pounds – 180 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Brown |
Jay Clayton Net Worth
American attorney Jay Clayton has an estimated net worth between $10 million and $50 million, as of June 2026. His wealth primarily comes through his consulting work, investment, and business ventures.
| Net Worth (Approx) | $10 million to $50 million (as of June 2026) |
| Annual Income (Approx) | Update soon |
| Salary (Approx) | Not known |
| Real Estate | Not publicly disclosed |
| Income sources | Consulting work, investment, business ventures, etc. |
Some Interesting Facts About Jay Clayton
- Jay Clayton was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, to Walter Clayton Jr. and Kathryn Clayton.
- His father was a lieutenant in the United States Army and served a years-long tour of duty in the Vietnam War.
- He attended Nether Providence High School, where he was a goalie on its soccer team.
- He briefly attended Lafayette College, where he played on its men’s soccer team.
- He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in engineering in 1988.
- In 1990, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Cambridge.
- In 1993, Jay Clayton earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
- He worked as a clerk form judge Marvin Katz from 1993 to 1995.
- Clayton was involved in Alibaba Group’s initial public offering in 2014 and the sale of the Atlanta Hawks in 2015.
- He worked on several deals for TeliaSonera, a Swedish telecommunications company, and their business with Russia and Iran.
- On 4 July 2017, Trump named Clayton as his nominee for chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
- On 4 May 2017, Calyton was sworn in as the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
- He had become a paid advisor to the hedge fund One River Digital Asset Management by May 2021.
- By October 2023, he had become an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
- On 16 April 2025, New York senator Chuck Schumer moved to block Clayton’s nomination by refusing to return his blue slip.
- He donated to Barack Obama and Mitt Romney’s presidential campaigns.
- In 2015, Jay Clayton also donated to Jeb Bush’s 2016 presidential campaign.
- Clayton is set to appear before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on 17 June 2026.
FAQ:
How old is Jay Clayton?
As of June 2026, Jay Clayton is 59 years old.
What is Jay Clayton’s net worth?
As of June 2026, Jay Clayton’s net worth is around $10-50 million.
Who is Jay Clayton’s wife?
Jay Clayton is married to Gretchen Butler Clayton.
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