James M. Lewis
James M. Lewis, Partner
Practice Areas
- Business law
- Business litigation
- Real estate
James M. (Jay) Lewis joined THK Law, LLP, in November 2009, practicing in the areas of business law, business litigation, and real estate.
Prior to joining THK, Jay served for four years as Vice President and General Counsel of a national manufacturing and service company based in South Bend. While in-house, Jay managed all legal issues including contracts, litigation, employment, labor relations, employee training and corporate secretary duties. Previously, Jay practiced with the South Bend office of a national law firm for 13 years, first as an associate and then as a partner.
Jay earned his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1986, his M.A. (Philosophy) from Northwestern University in 1988, and his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School in 1991. He served as an intern with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Commercial Litigation branch, then worked as a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit before starting private practice in South Bend.
Jay has achieved an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating granted for competency and ethics in law, a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence.
Professional licensure
- State Bar of Michigan, 2012
- Indiana State Bar Association, 1991
- United States District Courts in Indiana
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- Supreme Court of the United States
- St. Joseph County Bar Association
- Cass County Michigan Bar Association
Education
- Notre Dame Law School, J.D., 1991
- Northwestern University, M.A., 1988
- University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1986
Community involvement
- Jay served as President of the St. Joseph County Bar Association in 2005-06. He continues to serve the Bar Association as a member of the Pro Bono Committee.
- Jay served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Logan Community Resources in 2006-08.
- Jay served on the Indiana State Bar Association’s Board of Governors 2012-14, representing the third district.
- South Bend Youth Hockey, Inc., Board of Directors, a non-profit that oversees youth hockey facilities and programs.
- River City Challenged Athletes, Inc., Board of Directors, a non-profit that manages wheelchair basketball and sled hockey programs for disabled athletes. See sledrovers.org
- 466 Works Community Development Corporation, Board of Directors
- Judicial Nominating Committee 2021
Blogs and publications
Elizabeth A. Klesmith
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.