Jay Clayton
Jay Clayton is an American lawyer, financial regulator and national-security official who served as chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from 2017 to 2020. In 2026, he returned to senior federal service as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and was subsequently appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the administration’s newly created Super Intelligence Force, a federal artificial-intelligence task force.
Early Life and Background
Jay Clayton was born at Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia, and was raised primarily in central and southeastern Pennsylvania.
His professional career has included corporate law, securities regulation, financial markets and national security. Before entering government, he spent more than two decades at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.
Jay Clayton’s Education
Clayton has degrees in engineering, economics and law.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating summa cum laude. He also earned a BA and MA in Economics from the University of Cambridge as a Thouron Scholar.
He later earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, graduating cum laude and as a member of the Order of the Coif.
Legal Career
Clayton began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge Marvin Katz of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
He later joined Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where he became a partner in 2001. He eventually served on the firm’s Management Committee and became co-head of its corporate practice.
His legal work focused heavily on corporate transactions and financial markets.
Jay Clayton as a Law Professor
Clayton also worked in legal education.
From 2009 to 2017, he served as a Lecturer in Law and Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. His academic work complemented his professional experience in corporate and securities law.
Jay Clayton as SEC Chairman
President Donald Trump nominated Clayton to lead the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in January 2017.
He was sworn in as SEC chairman on May 4, 2017, and served until December 2020.
During his tenure, the SEC worked on securities disclosure rules, investor protection, enforcement, financial-market regulation and issues involving emerging technologies.
The SEC records that more than 2,300 enforcement actions were brought during Clayton’s chairmanship, resulting in more than $10 billion in fines and disgorgement and more than $3 billion returned to harmed investors.
His tenure also included SEC consideration of cryptocurrencies, initial coin offerings, cybersecurity, Brexit-related market issues and the transition away from LIBOR.
Life After the SEC
After leaving the SEC, Clayton returned to the private sector and continued working in law and financial markets.
He also became involved in public discussions surrounding financial regulation and national security.
His career eventually moved beyond financial regulation into intelligence and national-security policy.
Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence
In 2026, Clayton returned to federal government service as Director of National Intelligence.
The DNI is the head of the U.S. Intelligence Community and serves as the principal intelligence adviser to the President. The position involves overseeing the National Intelligence Program and coordinating the work of U.S. intelligence agencies.
Clayton’s appointment brought his background in law and financial regulation into a national-security position.
Jay Clayton and Artificial Intelligence
In October 2026, President Trump appointed Clayton to lead the newly created Super Intelligence Force, a federal task force focused on artificial intelligence.
According to Reuters, the task force is expected to coordinate federal efforts involving AI companies, consumers and other stakeholders and produce a report addressing AI risks, opportunities and the federal government’s role.
The appointment represents another major stage in Clayton’s career, moving from securities regulation and law into national intelligence and federal AI policy.
Jay Clayton’s Professional Background
Clayton’s career spans several areas of public importance.
He has worked as a corporate lawyer, university lecturer, federal financial regulator and national-security official. His SEC tenure made him particularly familiar with capital markets, while his later government role placed him at the center of U.S. intelligence policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jay Clayton
Who is Jay Clayton?
Jay Clayton is an American lawyer, former SEC chairman and current senior U.S. national-security official.
What was Jay Clayton’s role at the SEC?
He served as chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from May 2017 until December 2020.
What did Jay Clayton study?
He studied engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, economics at the University of Cambridge and law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
What is Jay Clayton’s current role?
In 2026, he serves as Director of National Intelligence and was appointed to lead the federal Super Intelligence Force.
Was Jay Clayton a lawyer?
Yes. He spent more than two decades at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and became a partner in 2001.
What is Jay Clayton’s connection to artificial intelligence?
In October 2026, President Trump appointed him to lead the Super Intelligence Force, a federal task force focused on coordinating the government’s AI efforts.