Michael J. Hays
Michael J. Hays, Partner
Practice Areas
- Civil litigation
- Employment law
- Business counsel
- Contract review
Michael Hays joined THK Law, LLP, in January 2012 as a seasoned litigator. He brings nearly two decades of litigation and counseling experience to the firm, having worked in both the private sector and for a large national law firm.
Immediately prior to joining THK Law, Michael served as Senior Counsel for Monaco RV, LLC, where he oversaw litigation nationwide and provided day-to-day counsel regarding employment law, regulatory compliance, and business transactions. Michael draws on his time inside a business to bring a practical approach to assisting clients. His experience includes:
- bench and jury trials in a variety of commercial, employment, and product liability disputes;
- participation in defense of a multi-district litigation proceeding involving thousands of plaintiffs and more than sixty defendants in four states;
- counseling in several SBA loan closings and numerous business transactions;
- drafting and reviewing hundreds of employment policies;
- advising both employers and executive employees in the drafting and litigation of non-compete and severance agreements.
Professional licensure
- Indiana State Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan
- United States District Courts in Indiana and Michigan
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- St. Joseph County Bar Association
- Cass County Michigan Bar Association
Education
- Notre Dame Law School, J.D., summa cum laude, 2002
- DePauw University, B.A., summa cum laude, 1999
Community involvement
- Local Rules Advisory Committee for the U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 2021 – 2023
- Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame
- Child and Parent Services of Elkhart County (CAPS), Board Chairman, 2019 – 2021
- Robert A. Grant Inn of Court, former President
- Michiana Forty Under 40 Class 2013
- Pro bono service through Volunteer Lawyers Network and Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic
- Variety of church leadership and committee positions
- Volunteer for various other local organizations
Blogs, Videos, and Publications
Employment Questions for 2021 and Beyond
I Love it When a Plan Comes Together: COVID-19 Planning for Employers
Work in the Time of Coronavirus
Importance of Depositions in Business Litigation
New Overtime Rules Blocked – At Least Temporarily
Are You Ready for New Overtime Rules?
Will Arbitration Sweep the Nation?
New Rules for Trade Secrets and Overtime
Personal Snapshot
Michael was born and raised in Cambridge City, Indiana, a small town located about 50 miles east of Indianapolis. He and his wife, Jenni, have lived in the Michiana area since Michael’s law school days at Notre Dame. They have four sons and are part of a proudly international family: two of their children were born in South Korea and one was born in China.
Michael and his family enjoy traveling. From China to Chicago to local campgrounds, you will often find the Hays family in search of new adventures.
Michael and his family are ambitious gardeners, striving each year to turn more of their yard into herb and vegetable gardens and to outsmart the frost that comes early and stays late in Northern Indiana. He enjoys reading non-legal literature when he can find the time, and he usually musters enough motivation to run a few miles each week.
