Clayton has worked in Montana water and natural resource law and policy for more than fifteen years, primarily representing conservation and agricultural interests in state and federal government. In that capacity he has worked directly on issues related to water rights permitting, water resources, statewide adjudication of water rights, fish and wildlife policy, and stream restoration. He holds a M.S. in Natural Resource Policy and Administration from the University of Michigan and undergraduate degrees in Economics and Environment and Natural Resources from the University of Wyoming.