The Conversation with Ulysses “Deke” Clayborn, Regional Administrator For HUD’s Region VII of the interview with Ulysses “Deke” Clayborn, who is the Regional Administrator for HUD’s Region VII, reveals his extensive background in real estate law. Deke, a managing member of Clayborn & Associates, LLC, a Kansas City-based law firm, has over 25 years of experience in real estate and transactional law. His firm, which specializes in real estate development, has represented a diverse range of clients, including lenders, developers, bond issuers, municipal governments, and underwriters in various commercial real estate projects.
Deke’s expertise extends from the development of commercial office buildings to municipal golf courses, with a particular focus on multifamily and residential housing development. His comprehensive legal services encompass entity formation, due diligence review, preparation of loan closing documents, and conducting loan closings.
Deke’s journey in real estate began at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where he served as a real estate closing attorney. This role provided him with valuable experience with HUD insured housing programs, such as those financed under Sections 221(d)(3), 221(d)(4), 236, and 202/811 programs.
In 1991, Deke further honed his skills in municipal finance while working with a municipal bond firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. His work primarily involved addressing the tax implications related to the arbitrage, defeasance, and refunding of bond issues. He also prepared indentures, resolutions, and other bond documents. His experience in the municipal bond and revenue bond area was further enriched during his tenure as the General Counsel to the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC). Here, he worked on numerous affordable housing projects financed through various funding sources.
Deke’s commitment to bar service is evident in his current roles, which include Chair of the Real Estate and Probate Law Section of the National Bar Association (NBA), Member of the NBA Board of Governors, and Member of the Standing Committee for Lawyers Title Guaranty Funds for the American Bar Association (ABA). He has also served as the President of the Jackson County Bar Association (JCBA) and Chair of the Special Committee for Minorities and Women for the Missouri Bar. Deke is a frequent speaker at NBA, ABA, and JCBA programs.
Deke’s educational qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science from DePauw University, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Taxation from Washington University.
