Ms. Hayes is a board-certified business bankruptcy attorney, practicing law in Florida for over a decade. She represents clients involved in franchises, including related agreements and disclosures, bankruptcy and creditor’s rights.

Ms. Hayes graduated from Florida State University College of Law, as a member of the Order of the Coif and law review editor. She studied International Law at Oxford University in England. Ms. Hayes clerked for the Honorable J. Rich Leonard in the Eastern District of North Carolina, while real estate developers and farmers fought to maintain their operations in the wake of the 2008 crash and ensuing recession, before returning to Florida to focus her legal career on business reorganizations and creditor representation in bankruptcy. With a background in agriculture, she developed a passion for representing farmers and aquaculture businesses, in chapter 12 bankruptcy reorganizations and other matters.

After years spent helping business owners and corporations recover from financial distress and fight to protect their interests as creditors in bankruptcy, Ms. Hayes began assisting business owners in establishing good business practices aimed at protecting the integrity of the corporate structure during the formation and growth phases of the company. 

With insight developed from her bankruptcy practice, Ms. Hayes focuses on helping business owners protect their own assets and those of related entities through careful planning should the business encounter unexpected financial strains in the future. Encouraged by the positivity of working with owners of new and expanding businesses, Ms. Hayes expanded her focus to representing franchisors and franchisees in the preparation, review, and negotiation of franchise agreements and franchise disclosure documents. Whether a business is starting up a new franchise, expanding and protecting its operations, or struggling with financial distress, the law firm and Ms. Hayes can help.