MICHAEL B. CLAYTON & ASSOCIATES
Our goal is to provide each of our clients with the best courteous service they deserve. We know that every client is unique, and each case different. Therefore we must always analyze their situation, take the appropriate action and make the right decisions that will work to the benefit of the client.
It's Your Case, But We take it Personally

Free Case Evaluation

Michael B. Clayton for Airport Board

Please support our campaign to improve Santa Maria Airport Service.
Please vote on November 8, 2022

Issues:
- Energy shortages
- Airline Service
- Flight Training
- Disrepair
- Endangered Species
- Crime
- Regional Airport
Solutions:
- Become a net energy producer and prepare for coming electric aircraft and new fuels.
- Support Air Taxis to LAX.
- Expand coming private/business customs to include airlines.
- Open new flight school.
- Fix up buildings and roads.
- Provide incubators for endangered species.
- Add more security.
- International Airport.
- Establish and secure International Airport designation
Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, attended the University of Arkansas Law School.
Santa Maria resident since 1989, and running a successful business and law firm on the Central Coast.
Major supporter of US Veterans.
Looking for your vote for Airport Board.

About Us
The law firm is composed of three (3) main attorneys and seven (7) office assistants.
We can help with:
BANKRUPTCY:
Chapter 7 & 13 Bankruptcy, Emergency Filings — STOP: Wage Garnishment, IRS Problems, Repossessions
CRIMINAL LAW:
Misdemeanor to Major Felonies, Adult & Juvenile Drug Cases, DUI’s Hearings, Bail, Homicide, Assult & Battery, Sex Offenses, Probation Violations.
FAMILY LAW:
Divorce, child custody, and child support are the most well-known subjects of family law, we endeavor to resolve matters in the most cost effective manner. However, when litigation is necessary, we maintain our ethical and professional standards, while pursuing aggressive and compassionate advocacy for our client
PERSONAL INJURY:
All types of Injury & Death Cases. No fee until we win your personal injury case.
- Free Initial Consultation
- No Fee Until We Win
- Serving Central Coast Since 1989
- Evenings & weekends by appointment
- Se Habla Español

Our Law Firm in The News
Our Attorneys
Michael B. Clayton
Founder
“Michael B. Clayton graduated from the university of Arkansas school of law in 1988. After acquiring his license to practice law in the state of Arkansas, he moved to California and acquired his second license…”

Attorney Specializes in
Criminal Law, Bankruptcy, Personal Injury

Thomas L. Barnard
Attorney
Attorney Specializes in
Family Law, Criminal Law
Michael T. Gazell
Attorney
“Michael T. Gazell is an associate attorney with Michael B. Clayton and Associates. Michael T. Gazell graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2011 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration. Michael then graduated from Western State College of Law in Fullerton, California in 2015 with a Juris Doctor. Admitted to the practice of law in the State of California in 2019.”

Attorney Specializes in
Criminal Law
Areas of Practice

Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal life line for people drowning in debt. Consumers and businesses petition the court to release them from liability in their debt. In the great majority of cases, we can help you to get your request granted.

Criminal Law
Criminal law concerns the system of legal rules that define what conduct is classified as a crime and how the government may prosecute individuals that commit crimes.

Family Law
Family law focuses on family issues, such as adoption, divorce, and child custody, among others. We can represent you in family court proceedings or in related negotiations such as court petitions or property agreements.

Personal Injury
Personal injury is the legal field that deals with cases where one party causes another party to suffer harm, often as a result of negligence. When you’re seriously injured in an accident, you may have questions about your rights, and we will guide you from beggining to end to obtain a satisfactory result.

What Our Clients Say
We value our customers and appreciate hearing how we impacted their life, so much so, that we’ve built our business knowing that our client’s satisfaction leads to our own success.
Highly Recommended
I received great service from Mr. Clayton. Thank you for your time and efforts to help resolve my situation. I would highly recommend you.
Thank you,
Source: Yelp Reviews
Ismael R.
Extremely Helpful
Very responsive and extremely helpful. He was able to advise us as to the most expedient way to solve our issues. Grateful that we were able to contact him the very first try and thankful for his expertise.
Thank you.
Source: Yelp Reviews
Terry H.
Car Crash
So , Micheal First of all I want to say He’s the Nicest most genuine person in this world. I was in a car crash and guess who was there to help , Michael !!! He saw me scared out of my mind I was bleeding and my glasses broke but still Michael was help me out saying it wasn’t my fault and witnessed everything and me being a complete stranger he still came to help me he could’ve drove straight by but he helped me out. These past few weeks he’s been very helpful he helped me with the police report and overall I recommend this guy he was an angel sent from heaven and till this day I’m glad I met him ! What this man did I will never forget he didn’t even charge me a dime because he saw a scared kid and came to help me overall recommend this place ! Trust me he will HELP you out !
Source: Yelp Reviews
Aron G.
Gratitude
I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. M.B. Clayton for his professionalism and genuine concern regarding my dilemma. Although, my dilemma has not yet been resolved, he called the City mayor and the construction company to see if a simple change could be made to the new property to which I had just moved into. He talked to various different parties and included me in the conversation. Just listening to his sales pitch showed me that he had class and style. Not only did he not charged me for his service, but at the same time invited me to Veteran’s memorial dinner for Veterans to be held in November.
Source: Yelp Reviews
Nick G.
Knowledgeable
I was just at Mr. Clayton office & I left happy for the time he provided to my case at no charge on his consultation.
Mr. Clayton is very genuine, attentive and very professional. He advised me on what to say and how to present myself in front of the judge. He is also very funny and it made my case feel so much easier, I came to his office feeling very sad and when I left I was actually happy for his positivism towards life. I feel that Mr. Clayton is an attorney who is in love with his job and with what he does in representing his clients.
I spend two hours in my consultation and I really did not wanted to end. I felt much more positive and stronger about my case when I left Mr. Clayton’s office.
If you need a lawyer who sits there not to only see your case but to understand the history and the problem from the root give Mr. Clayton a CALL. Very patient, honest and full of positive energies attorney.
God put me in his office by coincidence but now I know he is the attorney one MUST HAVE to be represented by. Mr. Clayton!!!
Source: Yelp Reviews
Nancy R.
Professional
My name is John Zarate and would like to acknowledge my pleasant experience speaking with Atty Michael Clayton. He was very helpful & professional explaining what I needed to know. I appreciate his help & would not hesitate in using his office for legal matters.
Source: Yelp Reviews
John Z.
Not in jail
“I wanted to show my gratitude to you and your staff for helping me get through this difficult time. Your staff and yourself handled my case with extreme professionalism. I called around many lawyers and explained my situation. Most said they couldn’t help me out and that I was going to do jail time no matter what. Luckily, I was referred to you by a local client of yours and I gave you a call. I am really glad I made that call because from the moment we first spoke and I explained my situation, you told me you would work your absolute hardest to keep me out of jail, so I could keep my job, and you did. You worked rigorously on my case and got the best absolute outcome that was available. Because of you, I am not in jail, and thus able to work and keep going on with my life and career. Thank you again for going the extra mile to get the job done.”
Ron Mendez
Santa
“I want to give a very big thank you to Attorney Michael B. Clayton. His Christmas display defies anyone’s imagination. My daughter and I live about a block away from his office. Every night, she wants to walk and look at everything. Imagine our surprise when we were on our walk to see his office and there was Santa. With nothing to gain for himself, he did this for the children of Santa Maria. Maybe the spirit of the holidays is alive in the heart of Michael. Please, Santa Maria, take a lesson from him. It is better to give than to receive. Thank you, Michael B. Clayton. You made a 3-year old’s dream come true.”
Stacee Barnes
State Penitentiary
“My name is Cole and on February 10th, 2011 I was charged with a crime that could have landed me in a state penitentiary for the rest of my life. I then brought Michael Clayton Law Firm on to represent me. After 4 months of fighting for me I was given a fair deal. They have saved my life; I’m 20 years old and get to see the world again because of them. If I ever needed legal help again it would be no question who I would call, Michael Clayton. They work for you and keep you with a peace of mind the whole time. They are amazing!!”
Cole
IRS
“The IRS had initiated a lien against our wages, in a panic we went straight to Michael B. Clayton’s Office. Everyone reassured us that they would help us, even though tax debt is not guaranteed in bankruptcy. After filing and receiving our discharge, we received a letter from IRS that we were relieved of personal tax liability for over $112,000.00 ! Thank you to everyone at Michael B. Clayton & Associates we now have peace of mind.”
Joey & Denise
Amazing Service
Attorney Clayton has exceeded our expectations and has helped us through a rough patch. We are grateful for his amazing services, I rate 5 out of 5 because if I had to, I would rehire Attorney Clayton without hesitation.
Source: Yelp Reviews
Jessicay M.
Chapter 13
I have used Mr. Clayton twice in the last couple of years. One for a chapter 13 and one criminal case that was nonsense and he got dismissed.
Very reasonable cost and I could always get my questions and concerns answered because of the great communication from him and his staff.
Highly recommend this firm and if I ever need an attorney again, of course this is who I will use.
Source: Yelp Reviews
Gary C.
Respect
Michael B. Clayton Attorney is the best. I thank you for your time, answering all my questions, advising me on my current situation, “RESPECT” I appreciate the fact that, I’m able to call you at any time.
Source: Yelp Reviews
Rebecca V.
Will fight for you
Mike and his team are the best knowledgeable attorneys around here on the Central Coast have always been there to help my family with legal advice Or anything we need willing to take phone calls For me or my family when we have questions of legal stuff recommend him over any other attorney here on the Central Coast good prices willing to work with you if you don’t have all the money up front Will make sure you get the best knowledgeable help possible Will have him or his team fight for you whatever you need him for Dairy understanding of all different kinds of circumstances you may need him to fight for you about.
Source: Yelp Reviews
David F.
Does a lot for the community and veterans
First off, you will never find a guy who does more for the community and veterans than Mr. Clayton, secondly every time I have called the office I get fantastic and quick help to get the problem at hand fixed. Mr. Clayton and his staff have always been extremely nice and helpful to me and my family and the community of Santa Maria should be proud to have such a great Lawyer and team! No matter what problem I was having I would always give them a call! Me and the rest of the community should be very proud and thankful that they are in this town and just a call away! Thanks for everything Michael! Appreciate it ! God bless!!
Source: Yelp Reviews