Deanna Clayton

Associate

Deanna focuses her practice on white collar defense, government investigations, and complex commercial litigation. She defends individuals and business entities against allegations of health care fraud, insurance fraud, False Claims Act violations, bribery, money laundering, public corruption, wire and mail fraud, and other financial crimes. In civil litigation, Deanna has experience in complex matters, including class action antitrust disputes, consumer protection disputes, and matters before State Attorneys General. She also has significant experience conducting legal research, performing document review, drafting and finalizing discovery, motions, memoranda, and pleadings, and assisting in all phases of complex investigations and litigation.

Deanna maintains an active pro bono practice and is committed to expanding access to justice and providing free legal assistance and representation for indigent individuals and families. She has represented clients seeking compassionate release and other post-conviction relief, assisted incarcerated individuals in parole proceedings and matters involving conditions of confinement, and worked with children through Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) to obtain immigration relief, including asylum and pathways to lawful status in the United States.

Prior to embarking on her legal career, Deanna worked as a litigation paralegal in Cozen O’Connor’s White Collar Defense & Investigations group. She later participated in the firm’s Summer Associate program and worked as a law clerk with the group, supporting attorneys in government investigations, internal investigations, and white collar defense matters involving extensive discovery, motion practice, witness preparation, and trial strategy.

Deanna earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where she was an evening student and a member of the Public Interest Fellows Program. She was previously an intern for the Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia, Criminal Division, where she drafted motions and memoranda, prepared case dockets and materials, and assisted in trial and court preparation for cases in D.C. Superior Court. Deanna earned her B.A. from American University with a double major in psychology and justice, law, and crime.

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Experience

News

Sixteen Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to DC Courts’ 2025 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll

May 05, 2026

The record-breaking 2025 Honor Roll includes 6,052 lawyers from more than 180 law firms, corporations, nonprofits, academia, as well as solo practitioners, including these 16 Cozen O’Connor lawyers.

Nadine Menendez Sentenced to 54-Month Prison in Bribery Conspiracy Case [New York Law Journal]

September 11, 2025

A Manhattan federal judge on September 11 sentenced Nadine Menendez, wife of former Senator Bob Menendez, to 54 months in prison, following Mrs. Menendez’s conviction at trial earlier this year in a federal corruption case. Mrs. Menendez faced an advisory sentencing guidelines range of approximately 17.5 - 22 years in prison, but thanks to the great work of our team – including Sarah Krissoff, Karen Williams, Catherine Yun, and Andrew Vazquez – she received a significantly reduced sentence.

Publications

DOJ Establishes Civil Rights Fraud Initiative Targeting Corporate DEI Programs and Antisemitism [Alert]

May 21, 2025

The White Collar team discusses the DOJ's new Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which leverages the False Claims Act to combat discrimination by federal fund recipients.

Education

  • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2023
  • American University, B.A., 2018

Awards & Honors

D.C. Courts’ 2025 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • U.S. District Court -- District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court -- Maryland