Clayton is a former advocacy strategist for UnitedHealth Group, a veteran of Capitol Hill and deputy legislative director for the North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.

Raleigh, N.C. (Nov. 9, 2026) -- McGuireWoods Consulting announced today that Justin Clayton, a top healthcare executive, Capitol Hill veteran and advisor to North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, has joined the firm as a senior vice president on the North Carolina state government relations team. Clayton will be based in the Raleigh office.

Clayton arrives from UnitedHealth Group in Raleigh, where he was vice president of government affairs. In that role, he executed government affairs strategy across both North and South Carolina, directing legislative, regulatory and stakeholder engagement initiatives. Additionally in this role, Justin oversaw the organization’s strategic engagement with the Democratic Governors Association, Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association and Congressional Black Caucus.

Previously, he was deputy legislative director in the Office of Gov. Roy Cooper, serving as a principal advocate for the governor’s legislative agenda before the North Carolina General Assembly.

Clayton began his career on Capitol Hill, serving on the legislative staffs for U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-TX, and U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-NC. In addition, he was a law clerk for the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and for the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration and a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation intern for U.S. Representative G.K. Butterfield, D-NC.

“Justin’s strong relationships and extensive experience with state and national lawmakers make him a natural fit for the firm,” said former South Carolina Gov. and McGuireWoods Consulting president Jim Hodges. “He will be a powerful asset in bridging the gap between healthcare policy, legislation and executive action, ensuring our clients have a strong, clear voice in Raleigh and beyond.”

At McGuireWoods Consulting, Clayton will provide bipartisan state government relations services, representing clients before the North Carolina General Assembly, the governor’s administration and executive branch agencies. He will have a particular focus on healthcare policy, counseling clients on matters before the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Division of Health Benefits. 

Clayton’s practice will include helping clients navigate relationships with managed care network providers and work through Medicaid agency processes and regulations. In addition, he will engage with national legislative and gubernatorial organizations, as well as the North Carolina Congressional Delegation and the Congressional Black Caucus.

“Justin’s arrival significantly enhances our capability to provide top-tier, bipartisan state government relations services,” said McGuireWoods Consulting chairman Mark Bowles. “Our clients will benefit immensely from his expertise, particularly in managing the shifting realities of healthcare policy.”

Bo Heath, the director of McGuireWoods Consulting’s North Carolina state government relations team, echoed Bowles’s sentiments

“Justin’s strategic insight and bipartisan relationships will bring real value to our clients,” Heath said. “Whether he is advocating before the General Assembly or working with the governor’s administration and executive branch agencies, his ability to build consensus will strengthen our state government relations team. It will also let us expand into multistate and federal legislative work, so we can be a true one stop shop for our clients’ government needs.”

Clayton’s commitment to community engagement includes serving on the board of directors of the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation and on Beacon Media. He also serves on the advisory board of the Alexander YMCA of the Triangle.

“I’m thrilled to join the firm, and I look forward to working alongside such a talented team of professionals,” said Clayton. “North Carolina’s political and regulatory landscape is constantly evolving, and I am eager to leverage my relationships and legislative experience to advocate for our clients.” 

Clayton holds a J.D. from American University Washington College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in political science and public policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.