Accomplished Litigator and Appellate Attorney with 33 years of proven management and ownership experience, running a successful general legal practice focusing in personal injury, civil rights, family law, employment law and criminal/traffic defense. Extensive experience in all levels of state, federal and administrative courts. Settled cases in excess of $500K and fostered a broad based and consistent tradition of success with a commitment to winning. Excel in litigation, developing, refining and executing the best-possible winning strategy to meet the clients’ demands of each case. Possess a detailed and nuanced understanding of laws and practices, and exceptional analytical skills. Excel under pressure, and diverse background provides great strategic versatility in litigation. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; positive interaction with clients, staff, opposing counsel, judges, and court administration personnel. Able to work independently, or in team environments. Diligent, innovative, organized and tenacious. Recognized for dependability, accessibility and professionalism. Focused on delivering positive results.
Core competencies include:
Expert Litigator in general civil and criminal
Civil Rights litigation
Appellate Attorney in general civil and criminal
Experienced in Gender/Racial Discrimination
Personal Injury mediation and litigation
Employment Law — private and public sector litigation
Criminal/Traffic Defense
Management Computer Skills
Advanced computer literacy. Have been performing extensive computer research continuously since 1982. Summation (Case Organization), and Trial Director (Litigation Presentation)
Professional Experience
Law Office of Thomas E. Hayes, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sept. 1983 — Present
Attorney
Concentration in general civil, family law, personal injury, criminal/traffic defense and represent employers and employees in employment-related disputes.
Oversee all operations of general law practice.
Litigate trials and appeals, with extensive experience in federal, state, municipal courts, and administrative agencies.
Develop litigation strategy that leverages positive facts, and builds strong, affirmative arguments, and effectively addressing the application of pertinent law, evidence, and anticipating opposing arguments.
Educate clients on general nature of litigation, specific case-details, strategy, and court demeanor.
Trial preparation; develop strategic motions, develop/acquire admissible evidence, and subpoena/prepare witnesses
Representative Accomplishments
Successfully represented estate of deceased in wrongful death action, settling medical malpractice case for $450,000.
Filed successful habeas corpus petition and won acquittal for defendant serving life sentence in prison, convicted of murder and armed bank robbery.
Initiated 5 civil rights actions, on behalf of state prisoners, with cumulative settlement in excess of $500K, between 2009-2011.
Won numerous contested charges of gender and racial discrimination and retaliation in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission with damage awards ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 between 2000 and 2006.
Represented client in Felony Child Abuse case in 2011. Case was dismissed, on my motion, on the day trial was set to begin. Government agreed to not re-file charges against client.
Represented client in trial involving federal drug distribution conspiracy and related gun charges, that ended 3 times in mistrial on my motions. Following the government's attempt to re-try my client, my successful 7th Circuit appeal resulted in the government dismissing all charges.
Won multiple determinative motions to suppress evidence in criminal cases.
Represented individual in federal court and won case, alleging police officers' violation of federal law (DPPA).
Represented multiple business owners and won cases alleging wrongful termination, retaliation and breach of contract spanning 2009-2012.
Secured reversals, on appeal, of: Petition for conditional release in a triple homicide, Criminal convictions of 2 clients convicted of felony - drug trafficking, Criminal conviction of client convicted of felony - growing marijuana, Adverse civil jury verdict where the trial judge failed to fully apprise the jury of the applicable law of self defense.
Argued before State Supreme Court in November, 2008.
Pro Bono
Provide free legal services to United States Armed Services veterans
Perform pro bono work for litigants in United States Federal District Court in employment discrimination cases.
