Jonathan Hayes

Jonathan Hayes brings his entrepreneurial, SEC, and judicial law clerk experience to bear when representing clients in the areas business law, trusts and estates, and litigation.

Overview

Jonathan Hayes is a shareholder with the firm and practices in the areas of litigation, appellate practice, probate, trust and estates, business law, health care, and corporate law.

Prior to joining the firm, Jonathan clerked for the Honorable Robert L. Hinkle of the Northern District of Florida. While in law school, Jonathan interned at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigating securities violations for the litigation group in Atlanta, and externed with the Honorable Mark E. Walker of the Northern District of Florida.

Before pursuing a career in law Jonathan started, ran, and sold several businesses which gives him a unique perspective on the legal challenges facing anyone making key business decisions.

Representative Matters

Probate Litigation – represented the personal representative of a divorced decedent, and succeeded at the summary judgment stage of recapturing assets seized by the decedent’s ex-spouse, resulting in a judgment for the client of over $800,000.
Commercial Foreclosure – successfully argued equitable defenses to the interest rate sought by the lender, resulting in a savings in interest of over $2,000,000.
Appellate Practice – successfully defended an appeal on a motion for relief under Rule 1.540(b) on jurisdictional and procedural grounds, resulting in a per curiam affirmance. Related litigation ultimately resulted in an award of attorney’s fees for the client.
HIPAA Compliance – regularly assists medical clients in complying with state and federal privacy laws.
Data Breach –assists clients who have suffered a data breach, including facilitating required notification and negotiations for cyber insurance.
Consumer Protection – represented a consumer in a substantial consumer fraud case involving state and federal warranty violations, resulting in a settlement not possible at trial, ultimately resulting in an award of attorney’s fees for the consumer.

Credentials

Education

Duke University School of Law, J.D., 2015
Florida State University College of Law, first in his class before transferring to Duke, 2013
Florida State University, B.S, 2012, Management Information Systems

Bar Admissions

State of Florida (2015 – present)
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida

Community Involvement

Legal Aid Foundation of the Tallahassee Bar, Board of Directors (2022-present)
The Florida State University College of Law, Adjunct Professor, Trusts and Estates (2022-present)
William H. Stafford Inn of Court, member 2019-current
Class 4 of the Legal Aid Foundation Tallahassee’s Thunderdome Program
Tallahassee Bar Association
Tallahassee Women Lawyers