Overview

A former federal prosecutor, experienced trial attorney, and strategic adviser, Clay Lee represents companies, boards, and individuals in complex criminal and civil litigation, government investigations, and enforcement actions nationwide.

With nearly a decade of experience at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and eight years defending organizations and individuals facing federal and state scrutiny, Clay brings a dual perspective that helps clients confidently navigate legal challenges. At DOJ, he prosecuted violent and economic crimes, tried more than 20 federal jury trials, and argued over a dozen matters before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Read more

Clay’s practice spans the full spectrum of health care risk and regulatory exposure, including:

  • Internal and external investigations for health care providers, physician networks, and medical device companies
  • Defense of False Claims Act matters, Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) and Stark Law investigations, billing-and-coding disputes, and medical-necessity challenges
  • White-collar criminal defense and grand-jury work, including parallel civil exposure
  • Compliance and risk assessments for health care transactions and daily operations

His most significant victories are often those that never reach the public eye. His philosophy is simple: the best way to avoid a trial is to prepare for one. His meticulous preparation has led to pre-litigation resolutions and outright dismissals of cases involving state and federal agencies across the nation.

Before practicing law, Clay worked as a genetic researcher at Vanderbilt University and as an economist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture—experience that allows him to quickly master complex scientific, technical, and data-heavy evidence and present it clearly and persuasively in investigations, agency proceedings, and at trial.

What Clay Delivers for Clients

  • Decisive Action in Critical Moments: Clay provides clear guidance and takes immediate steps to help clients navigate high-pressure situations with confidence.
  • Private, Favorable Outcomes: By resolving matters before they escalate, Clay protects clients’ reputations and ensures sensitive issues remain confidential.
  • Proactive Risk Management: Clay identifies potential vulnerabilities and implements strategies to safeguard clients from regulatory and legal challenges.
  • Comprehensive Legal Preparedness: With extensive courtroom and appellate experience, Clay equips clients with the tools and strategies needed to face even the most complex legal battles. 

Read less

Focus Areas

Experience

View All Experience
  • Served as trial counsel for a business executive in an eight-week criminal trial in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, alleging violations of the AKS and health care fraud statutes relating to cancer genetic test marketing.
  • Represented biologics manufacturers and wound care providers in DOJ investigations related to the use, pricing, and sales of skin substitute products.
  • Defended a Medicare Advantage provider network accused of violating the AKS through marketing payments in a DOJ investigation.
  • Defended a nonprofit health system and affiliated entities in a False Claims Act litigation brought by the DOJ and a qui tam relator concerning physician compensation arrangements that allegedly violated the Stark Law and the AKS.​

Recognition

Credentials

Education

  • University of Arkansas, Graduate School and International Education (M.S., 2011)
  • University of Arkansas School of Law (J.D., 2010)
  • University of Tennessee (B.S., 2006)

Bar Admissions

  • Tennessee

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Arkansas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee

Events

Insights

Insights

Jump to Page

Privacy Preference Center

When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

Performance Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.