After dedicating nearly twenty years to practice as a criminal defense attorney, Justin Hayes brings a wealth of practical trial knowledge and experience to Hayes. Mr. Hayes began his career as a staff attorney with the New Hampshire Public Defender. During his nine years working there as a public defender, Mr. Hayes fought for and defended the rights of his clients. In 2011, Mr. Hayes entered private practice, where he remained focused on criminal defense while also engaged in the complex civil litigation of intellectual property law.

As a partner for both Hayes, Bostock & Cronin and then Hayes, Messina, Gilman & Hayes, Mr. Hayes continued to advocate for and diligently represent his clients. He was an instrumental member of the trial team that successfully defended Vlingo, a small startup in the voice recognition field, against a patent infringement suit brought by Nuance Communications, Inc., during the summer of 2010. He was an architect of the winning trial strategy, all while managing witnesses, crafting direct examinations, planning cross-examinations, and drafting motions.

As in the Vlingo case, Mr. Hayes was an instrumental member of the trial team in a patent infringement suit against Microsoft Corporation during the spring of 2012. Mr. Hayes was an architect of the trial strategy, responsible for crafting direct- and cross-examinations and writing opening and closing arguments.

Mr. Hayes’s extensive litigation experience has directly benefitted his clients. He has appeared before numerous courts throughout New Hampshire, advocating for and defending individuals in all manners of cases, including first degree murder, major felonies, misdemeanors, and other proceedings.

Mr. Hayes is the named inventor on U.S. Patent No. 5,616,333, a shark repellant patch that can be affixed to a surfboard to protect surfers. In addition, Mr. Hayes is the creator of U.S. Trademark No. 4,132,177, Play All Day.