Ms. Drayton primarily represents government entities and corporations that interact with government entities. As a member of the Firm's Real Estate Group, she focuses on commercial real estate transactions involving purchase and sale agreements, development agreements, and ground leases. She often handles economic development matters related to "PILOT" (payment-in-lieu-of taxes) transactions and local and state government incentives. Her environmental law practice has an emphasis on Brownfield Agreements, and she regularly handles regulatory environmental compliance matters involving EPA Region IV and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) for public entities and private corporations. Ms. Drayton also represents telecommunications industry clients and often appears before municipal boards and commissions on land use and zoning matters. She has extensive experience with government contracting, including handling procurement matters, bid protests, and the drafting and negotiating of government related contracts, such as public-private partnership agreements.
Prior to joining Baker Donelson, Ms. Drayton served as the senior assistant city attorney for the City of Memphis. During her 14-year tenure in the City's Law Division, she was responsible for managing the transactional department for all municipal matters, with a focus on government contracting, environmental transactions, public finance (serving as in-house disclosure counsel), grants compliance and administration, and regulatory compliance matters. Ms. Drayton was responsible for the draft and review of municipal ordinances and resolutions, and she also served as in-house counsel assigned to the Board of Adjustment, Landmarks Commission, Land Use Control Board, and Office of Planning and Development.
Ms. Drayton has prior experience in private practice, having litigated a variety of civil matters in federal and state courts, including commercial and employment lawsuits for national and midsize companies.
Ms. Drayton is a member of Baker Donelson's Board of Directors.