What profession is "Michael Clayton"?

Michael Clayton is a lawyer who works as a “fixer” for a powerful New York law firm.

Rather than spending most of his time arguing cases in court, Clayton handles sensitive problems for the firm’s wealthy and influential clients. He is the person called when a client’s misconduct, personal crisis, or legal exposure needs to be contained quickly and discreetly. This specialized role is why the film sometimes describes him as a fixer, but lawyer is the broader profession and the canonical quiz answer.

The 2007 film follows Clayton as he becomes entangled in a major corporate litigation scandal involving U/North, an agricultural-chemicals company accused of causing thousands of deaths. His professional instincts tell him to manage the crisis, while his growing awareness of the wrongdoing forces him to decide where his loyalties lie.

George Clooney plays Michael Clayton, with Tilda Swinton portraying Karen Crowder, the company’s chief legal officer. The film was written and directed by Tony Gilroy and is structured as a legal thriller rather than a conventional courtroom drama.