OLD SCHOOL VALUES.
CREATIVE THINKING.
We try lawsuits, mediate disputes as neutrals, and provide strategic advice.
For more than three decades Butch Hayes has handled the most high-profile, complex, and important business and personal disputes imaginable. Butch has represented an array of clients from Fortune 100 Companies to individual executives, sports personalities, celebrities, and people and companies worthy of representation. He is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law in Texas, is a licensed Mediator, and recipient of multiple state and national awards related to his practice. His philosophy is that a good lawyer can try just about any type of case (within reason), and that clients are best served by a lawyer who knows how to actually try a lawsuit rather than just “litigate” it.
The Firm’s practice involves a range of employment, trade secret, complex business, Title IX, contract, tort, and a host of private or sensitive matters. These disputes arise in trial, arbitration, or very quietly. We have tried to completion dozens of arbitrations as well as federal and state court trials across the country with a close to 90% victory rate.
We handle investigations, expert testimony, and a range of one-off problems that may not be easily characterized – always with the sensitivity and professionalism that they deserve.
MEDIATION
Butch is a licensed mediator who brings humor, insight, and a properly firm hand to the negotiation process. While he is particularly suited to mediate employment disputes, he is equally adept at understanding, analyzing, and fixing complex personal and business disputes.
Butch is available for full and half day mediation in person or virtually. Please contact us for additional information.
PERSONAL
Butch is a proud husband and father, and role model to his dogs, nearly all of which would provide very nice testimonials about him if given the opportunity.
Butch has, for better or worse, lived a life focused around competition. He spent his high school years in a rigorous tennis academy, training multiple hours each day after classes ended. He went on to become an Academic All-American and All-Conference and Division I college tennis player who secured a winning record in singles and doubles. He has a (probably very lucky) win over a former Wimbledon champion while in college. As an old guy, Butch has been ranked in the top five nationally in his age division in singles and doubles, has won multiple Texas state championships, has captained the Men's Texas Open tennis team over multiple years. Butch brings this competitive fire to his law practice, but places great value on the professional and cordial relationships and reputation he has earned with judges, adversaries, and clients.
When he’s not sitting in judgment of social media “influencers,” Butch likes to stand in his garage and think about cleaning it.
PROFESSIONAL
Prior to forming Hayes Law, Butch cofounded Weisbart Springer Hayes LLP in 2012, and spent two decades at two of the country’s largest international law firms, Vinson & Elkins, LLP, and Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP. He spent several years practicing law and acting as Administrative Partner and Partner-in-Charge of Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP’s, Austin office, where he oversaw the financial and logistical operations of an office with close to 200 partners, associates, professionals, and administrative employees. This required him to gain an understanding of a broad range of civil litigation, technology matters, complex business disputes, and counseling. Butch brings to his clients’ needs practically, creativity, and a unique business-oriented perspective. Some may say that he also brings a different, if not twisted, sense of humor.
Board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Labor & Employment Law, Butch has spent a large portion of his career advising businesses in matters that bridge technology, contract, and employment matters. Much of his practice is in federal trial and appellate courts, where he enjoys a positive rapport with judges, clerks, and staff. Butch has also worked quietly to secure confidential resolutions to issues of the most sensitive nature.
Butch's experience includes the following:
Successfully handled and tried as lead counsel dozens of employment and technology related business disputes, including shareholder derivative and fraud suits on behalf of publicly-traded and private corporations in matters involving damages in the 10-figure range.
Successfully represented Fortune 20 client in significant technology and trade secret litigation.
Representation of market leaders in technology industries, as well as some of the largest retailers in the world.
Successfully defended a wide range of public and private companies, including Fortune 100 corporations, in significant federal and state discrimination and class-action wage and hour matters, including disparate impact, and statistical cases against the government and private plaintiffs.
Successful representation of prominent executives and those in the sports/entertainment industry.
Represented publicly-traded companies in various licensing and patent infringement claims.
Aggressively represented businesses and individuals in multiple sexual harassment matters involving a range of alleged serious criminal conduct.
Successfully defended bet-the-company litigation relating to stockholder oppression and fraud.
Represented companies in OSHA-related matters concerning serious bodily injury or death.
Discrete representation of large and small companies, as well as archives, internal investigatory matters relating to allegations of serious employee or executive misconduct.
Secured favorable result as lead counsel, through federal court appointment, in a large criminal conspiracy matter.
Representation through federal appointment of death penalty appeals
HONORS & DISTINCTIONS
Super Lawyers designation for each year since 2005
Top 100 Lawyers in Texas 2008, Thomson Reuters Legal
Top 50 Lawyers in Central Texas 2008 – 2010, Thomson Reuters Legal
Lawdragon – top 500 Corporate Employment lawyers in the U.S. 2024
Nation’s Most Powerful Employment Lawyers 2011
Best Lawyers in America 2005 – present
Texas Monthly Top Attorneys in Texas 2012, 2016, 2017
Lawyer of the Year in Employment Law-Management – Austin, 2024, Best Lawyers in America
Lawyer of the Year in Labor Law-Management – Austin, 2016, 2018, Best Lawyers in America
Lawdragon Top 200 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyer 2023
Best Business Attorneys & Corporate Counsel, Austin Business Journal, 2006
We spend a great deal of time working through problems with our clients. These take many forms, but frequently involve employment and business dilemmas with multiple moving parts. The goal is always to professionally achieve our client’s goals, whether it is a “soft landing” or escalation to litigation. We believe that a lawyer with first hand experience trying cases, and who knows how escalation plays out many steps ahead, is the best partner to help navigate conflicts.
If we can help a client avoid litigation or public attention where they are not wanted, we will. We believe that a trusted advisor always keeps the client’s priorities front of mind.
512-485-4390
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