Escamilla, Mary

Catherine B. Clayton (Cathy) is both an experienced litigator and a Rule 31 General Civil and Family Law Mediator. A 1981 magna cum laude graduate of Lambuth University (B.A. English), Cathy graduated from the University of Tennessee, College of Law in 1984, where she was an associate editor for the Tennessee Law Review. Cathy began her law career by clerking for the Honorable Lloyd Tatum, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. Since that time, she has focused on representing individuals and businesses in civil disputes, both at the trial and appellate level, concentrating on employment issues - ranging from contract disputes to sexual harassment to worker's compensation and unemployment claims; banking law; family and closely held business disputes; and personal injury.

Along with other firm members, Cathy focuses on seeking cost-effective solutions that best serve her clients' needs. With extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution techniques, particularly mediation, Cathy constantly uses her expertise to manage disputes without litigation, whenever possible, to reach quick, cost-effective solutions for her clients. She is both a Rule 31 General Civil and Rule 31 Family Law Mediator and has mediated over five hundred cases, focusing on business disputes, including issues related to partnerships, professional corporations and other closely held businesses; will contests and estate matters; and family disputes including divorce and custody issues and elder law.  Cathy is a frequent speaker on mediation issues for continuing legal education seminars throughout West Tennessee.  She is also qualified to mediate cases involving domestic violence.

Because of her strong interest in children and family issues, Cathy has expanded her practice in the past ten years to include adoption. She is recognized for her expertise in adoption law, and has made presentations on adoption issues to area lawyers and judges. Concerned about the effect of acrimonious, expensive and drawn-out litigation on families in divorce cases, Cathy assists family members and their lawyers as both an attorney and a mediator in reaching workable solutions on issues related to divorce and other family matters, including child support, custody and visitation issues, spousal support and division of property.

Cathy is admitted to the Bar of the Tennessee Supreme Court and the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. She is a member of the Jackson County, Tennessee and American Bar Associations as well as a founding member of the Local Lawyers Association for Women (LAW).

Cathy and her husband, Wes, have three children. She spends her time away from the office with her husband and family, and as an advocate for families and children. She is an active volunteer at her children's schools and is a strong supporter of the Arts in West Tennessee, as evidenced by her many years of volunteering with Ballet Arts of Jackson, Inc., a regional performing youth Ballet company, where she served for seven years on the Board of Directors in a variety offices, including Board President. In the past, Cathy has served as the Chairman of the Board for West Tennessee Legal Services; Chairman of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees at First United Methodist Church; Sunday School Teacher; Secretary of the Jackson-Madison County Bar Association; Hearing Committee Member, Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility; and  PTO Director.