About John Clayton
John Clayton Schaeffer built his legal foundation at the University of Missouri–Columbia, where he earned a B.A., and then at the University of Dayton School of Law for his J.D. He took a traditional route through legal education and then moved into practice in Missouri, appearing in state courts and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Schaeffer’s early years in practice were shaped by courtroom work and written advocacy. He has handled matters in both trial and appellate settings. That mix of experiences left him comfortable drafting pleadings, arguing motions, and preparing appeals when cases required another level of review.
He is a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association. That membership signals his engagement with employment law issues and with a community of lawyers who litigate wage-and-hour claims, discrimination cases, and other workplace matters. He is admitted to practice in Missouri and the Eighth Circuit, allowing him to move between state and federal forums as a case demands.
At McMichael, Logan, Schaeffer, & Gilpin, he is part of a team that represents clients in contested employment disputes and related litigation. He handles hearings, mediations, and courtroom trials. He also prepares appellate briefs when cases rise to higher courts. Colleagues describe him as methodical in trial preparation and attentive to appellate strategy, which helps when a litigation trajectory changes.
Clients see him in depositions and at motion hearings. He takes depositions, files dispositive motions, and argues at various stages of litigation. He also spends time counseling on procedural matters and on the practical aspects of litigation strategy. That combination keeps him engaged in the day-to-day work of advancing a case as well as the longer arc of litigation.
Schaeffer’s practice remains anchored in employment litigation and related areas of civil practice. He maintains active bar admission in Missouri and the Eighth Circuit and participates in professional networks that address workplace law. He currently practices in employment law and related litigation.
