Michael Hays joined THK in January 2012 as a seasoned litigator. He brings more than two decades of litigation and counseling experience to the firm, having worked in both the private sector and for a large national law firm.
Practices
Civil Litigation
Employment Law
Business Counsel
Contract Review
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.
Personal Snapshot
Michael was born and raised in Cambridge City, Indiana, a small town in Central Indiana. He and his wife, Jenni, have lived in the Michiana area since Michael’s law school days at Notre Dame. They have four children. Michael and his family enjoy traveling. From Europe and Asia to Lake Michigan, you will often find the Hays family in search of new adventures. Whether home or abroad, Michael enjoys reading non-legal literature when he can find the time, and he usually musters enough motivation to run a few miles each week.
Admissions
State of Indiana
State of Michigan
United States District Courts in Indiana and Michigan
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Professional Associations
St. Joseph County (IN) Bar Association
Cass County Michigan Bar Association
Honors
Best Lawyers®, Recognized since 2024
Michiana Forty Under 40 Class 2013
Education
Notre Dame Law School, J.D., summa cum laude
DePauw University, B.A., summa cum laude
Community Involvement
Local Rules Advisory Committee for the U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana
Robert A. Grant Inn of Court (past president)
Pro bono service through Volunteer Lawyers Network and Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic
Former Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame
Volunteer and board service with various other local organizations, including past board chair for Child and Parent Services of Elkhart (CAPS)
