Overview

Hayes Edwards is a business litigator who helps companies and professionals navigate their legal obstacles, from disputes over real estate, contracts, or employment, to complex construction and probate matters.

Hayes is eager to engage with the facts of every case and learn his clients’ priorities, to create a strategy for achieving comfort and certainty. Competitive but collegial, Hayes always strives to make himself available to clients and finds great satisfaction in knowing their needs are met. Although litigation has its value, he approaches every issue by considering the available resources to meet those needs.

Hayes’ clients include real estate developers, business owners, consulting firms, and individuals involved in trusts and estate disputes. Having represented both plaintiffs and defendants in state & federal cases, administrative hearings, arbitrations, and mediation, Hayes is able to understand disputes from multiple perspectives and adapt his style to fit the situation.

A native of Montgomery County, Hayes graduated magna cum laude from the George Mason University School of Law and earned his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University. He is active in the Montgomery County Bar Association and provides pro bono counseling through the Maryland Women’s Business Center.

Outside of the office, Hayes can be found on various courses and hardcourts, or on the floor playing with his two sons.

Education

  • George Mason University School of Law (J.D., Magna Cum Laude, 2012)
  • Vanderbilt University (B.A., 2006)

Admissions

  • Maryland
  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit

Honors and awards

  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Litigation – Real Estate (2021-2025)
  • Listed as “Rising Star” by Maryland Super Lawyers, Business Litigation (2020-2023)
  • Named to Top Attorney List by Bethesda Magazine (2023)
  • 2019 Volunteer of the Year – Maryland Women’s Business Center
  • Listed as “Rising Star” by Washington, DC Super Lawyers, Business Litigation (2020-2023)

Community involvement

  • Maryland Womens’ Business Center (Pro Bono Counselor)

Professional memberships

  • Bar Association of Montgomery County (Chair, Employment Law Section, 2019-present; Chair, Mentor-Mentee Committee, 2018-2019; Fellow, Leadership Development Academy, 2016-2017)

Practice Areas

Employment/Labor

Lerch Early helps employers throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area and beyond prevent and defend against workplace claims. Working with our attorneys is like extending the human resources department without hiring additional people.

Litigation

Lerch Early’s litigation team helps businesses, including nonprofits, and individuals resolve disputes throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

News & insights

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Representative Matters

  • After obtaining an AAA arbitration award (a) removing trustees who violated fiduciary duties by dissipation of trust assets and (b) awarding a recovery of $800,000 against the removed trustees, the award was reduced to a judicial judgment in the Circuit Court. The judgment was successfully affirmed on appeal in the Court of Special Appeals, including the award of additional judgment interest to the judgment creditor on a cross-appeal.
  • Represented personal representative of estate on appeal and obtained affirmation of Montgomery County, MD Orphans’ Court judgment upholding the estate’s denial of $150,000 creditor claim for personal services.

Disclaimer: Each case is different and past results do not guarantee similar results in future matters.