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JUSTIN HAYES

"I could not have asked for a more professional, personable, understanding, kind, honest, helpful, knowledgeable...than Justin Hayes."

- Mandi Sisk

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For over twenty years, Justin Hayes has worked successfully with hundreds of clients in family law and civil litigation cases to achieve practical solutions to complex, difficult legal problems.

CURRICULUM VITAE

DeKalb Bar Association

  • Board of Directors

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DeKalb Bar Association Family Law Section Executive Committee

  • Committee Member

 

Frazer Center

  • Board Member

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Samuel Jones and GW Carver Boys and Girls Clubs

  • Board Member

All State Courts of Georgia
Georgia Court of Appeals
Georgia Supreme Court
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

SuperLawyers

  • SuperLawyer, 2017-Present

  • Rising Star in Family Law, 2009-2010, 2012

Avvo Rated

  • Superb Rating

Georgia Trend

  • Named to Georgia Trend- Legal Elite Top Lawyers

The University of Georgia School of Law​

  • 1998 - cum laude

Oglethorpe University​

  • 1994 - magna cum laude

Justin Hayes is a Northeast Georgia native and graduated from Oglethorpe University, magna cum laude, in 1994, and the University of Georgia School of Law, cum laude, in 1998. While in law school, Justin was a member of the school’s Moot Court team and competed in state and national competitions. He has served on the board of the Samuel Jones and GW Carver Boys and Girls Clubs, the board of the Frazer Center, which serves disabled children and adults, and multiple terms on the Board of Directors of the DeKalb Bar Association and DeKalb Bar Family Law Section Executive Committee. He lives in DeKalb County with his wife and three children and enjoys travel, reading, golf, and spending time with his family.

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Justin is a member of the State Bar of Georgia (Family Law Section), the Atlanta Bar Association (Family Law Section and Litigation Section), the DeKalb Bar Association (Family Law Section and Trial Lawyers Section), the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, and the Lawyers Club of Atlanta. He is admitted to practice in all Georgia state trial courts, the Georgia Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

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Justin has been recognized as a Rising Star in Family Law by Georgia Super Lawyer and Atlanta Magazine in 2009, 2010, and 2012, and as a Georgia Super Lawyer in Family Law for 2017-2021. Fewer than 3% of all Georgia lawyers are selected for such recognition. He has also been recognized by Georgia Trend magazine as a Legal Elite attorney in Family Law.

CLIENTS & COLLEAGUES RAVE

L.S.
In what was a time full of uncertainty, the one thing I felt certain about was my representation with Justin Hayes as my divorce attorney. His legal counsel and careful attention to each facet of the case as well as my changing concerns made him the perfect choice.  He had the expertise to handle each detail with scrutiny and put my interests at the heart of his representation.


R.W.
After using 2 other lawyers in defending my ex-Wife’s child support modification, I was concerned that most lawyers were simply out to pay their country club memberships. Justin renewed my faith in the practice of law. Justin was thorough, thought provoking and creative in assisting me in quashing an upward adjustment in child support that my ex-wife pursued. Not only did we get my child support lowered, but we also were awarded attorney fees.


D.B.
Justin Hayes became my divorce lawyer on short notice. I had been in a collaborative divorce process for some six months when the process collapsed. When this happened I was due to leave the country in less than one week to be gone for 6 months with my employment. I had to find a lawyer fast. Mr. Hayes was recommended by my collaborative lawyer. I was able to arrange a meeting with him on short notice, and at the end of the meeting, which was conducted in a very thorough and professional manner, Mr. Hayes took my case. What followed was a 3 and 1⁄2 year saga, most of it occurring while I was out of the country, some 10,000 miles away.

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Anonymous

Much of the work in preparing for the case had to be conducted long distance (mostly by email) but Mr. Hayes guided me through the steps expertly. When I returned to the U.S. for brief periods, Mr. Hayes made time for me and helped me plan out the next steps. His advice and counsel were always on target. When the court date was set, it conflicted with my employment overseas. Mr. Hayes negotiated a new court date, allowing me to meet my commitment. Key to avoiding a trial was a mediation session encouraged by Mr. Hayes, and presided over by a person highly recommended by him. The session, during which I followed guidance provided by Mr. Hayes, led to an agreement that avoided having to go to trial and resolved my case in its entirety. The court session itself was uneventful and I walked out of Court with a feeling of great relief. Throughout the entire process Mr Hayes was very professional and effective.  He clearly commanded the respect of his colleagues and the Court. Important to me, he never once suggested any legal activities that were unnecessary. He could have but did not. With my long-distance participation in the process, I was vulnerable. It is easy for me to unreservedly recommend Mr. Hayes as a divorce lawyer. His clients can be assured that they are receiving legal advice, guidance and support that is as good as any in the State of Georgia.


M.T.H.
I came to Justin Hayes to help me navigate the end of a 30-year marriage. I had an agreement in principle with my wife to negotiate rather than litigate, but that agreement was in peril every minute until Justin obtained her final signoff. A court fight would have been disastrous. I needed a lawyer who could craft and negotiate an agreement fair to both parties and protective of me, all the while standing ready to fight in court if necessary. That’s exactly what I got with Justin. He convinced my ex-wife and her lawyer to sign the agreement as he drafted it. Making that more difficult was the fact that he also had to convince them to agree to Georgia jurisdiction, as we never lived in Georgia together. He was able to get the agreement not only because of his persuasive expertise, logic and fairness, but also because she and her lawyer could tell what kind of a fight they would face if we could not agree. I owe the attorney who recommended Justin a giant thank you – Justin always kept his eye on my interests with close attention to detail.


C.R.
I cannot say enough good things about Justin. I have been divorced for many years. It has always been a battle getting my ex-husband to pay my alimony and he has been in contempt many times. He is a multi-millionaire and filed a lawsuit to modify our agreement, which is for lifetime alimony. I am 71 and retired. I started with another attorney, and after meeting with my ex’s high-powered attorneys at mediation, my prior attorney was intimidated. He suggested that we settle. I lost all confidence in him and changed to Justin. He was amazing. It was a complicated case and he was extremely well prepared at our hearing. He always kept in mind my financial situation. He not only won at the hearing, but won on appeal by my ex, as well. Justin also asked for the judge to award me legal fees and wrote a very compelling argument. The judge awarded me a sizable amount. What impressed me most was that Justin wouldn’t let the opposing attorneys intimidate him. He was understanding and communicated with me through the process. I would recommend him highly.


J.K.
In 2010, I was recommended Justin Hayes for my difficult custody case resulting from an ugly divorce. Justin gave very practical advice, while maintaining an emotional sensitivity about the case. Throughout the lengthy case he kept me up-to-date with information, progress and hearings. If he was not immediately available for my questions or concerns, he would respond back in a timely manner. At the end of the case, I received the results that I originally wanted and was very pleased with the manner Justin handled my case.


I was referred to Justin by a well known attorney.  Justin first advised me on the difficult process of having my teenage son living with me after my divorce.  Justin gave me sound, insightful, and realistic advice.  He did not waste my time, was professional, and did not generate unnecessary fees to my case.  After that experience, the choice was clear to return to Justin to assist me in a Contempt action involving child support and expenses against my ex a few years later.  My case was highly contentious and we went to Court on more than one occasion.  I witnessed an extremely articulate and well maneuvering attorney guide his way through the proceedings. As you can imagine, the Judge ruled in our favor and also ordered my ex to pay my legal fees.  This effective representation has allowed me to continue the last 2 years with not one more incident arising from my ex, as I believe that no one wants to be on the opposite side of a highly efficient and effective lawyer. I highly recommend Justin Hayes.  

A satisfied client, Paul C. Schwartz


I could not have asked for a more professional, personable, understanding, kind, honest, helpful, knowledgeable lawyer to represent me through my divorce than Justin Hayes. He was always available to take my calls, answer my (many) questions, reassure me, and guide me through a very difficult period in my life. His legal fees were reasonable and what impressed me the most about Justin was his honesty and integrity. After my divorce was final, I was surprised (and thrilled!) when I received money back that was not used from my retainer fee. He is a class act and possesses every quality that I would ever want in a lawyer. With Justin’s help, I was able to make positive changes that allowed me to begin a brand new chapter in my life. He wanted the best for me and he made sure that I got it. I will never be able to thank him enough for that! From a VERY satisfied and appreciative client.

Mandi Sisk


B.E.
Justin Hayes was exactly what I needed when I had to file an action for modification, child support, and contempt against my ex-husband. Justin firmly and patiently walked me through the difficult process of responding to difficult pleadings, emails, and actions, and ultimately resolved my case completely in my favor with a contested hearing and partial mediation. I always felt like Justin put my and my child’s interests first, and was an honest and impartial voice of reason throughout the process. I expect my situation to be an ongoing struggle with my ex, and I will definitely use Justin for the next go-round.


E.A.D
Justin came highly recommended from a renowned trial lawyer in Atlanta who told me that if my case had to go to trial, Justin is a nice guy but also one hell of a trial lawyer. Never in my wildest imagination did I anticipate my divorce would end up being decided by a judge at trial. Throughout the 3 years of my case that involved 3 mediations and my ex’s refusal to settle for reasonable terms, a 2 day trial, my ex’s motion for a new trial, and having to enforce the trial result through contempt actions, Justin guided me to a victorious result.  I highly recommend Justin Hayes as a Divorce lawyer. He showed me that he is more than capable of navigating the nuances of Georgia Family Law and the Judicial system.


C.S.L.
The end of a marriage is difficult to say the least. Wishing for an easy ending was, unfortunately, not an option in my case. I quickly realized I needed an attorney with strong ethics and an excellent mind. Justin was recommended to me by an attorney friend who had lost a case to Justin. To use a sports analogy, Justin knows the “game” of family law. His knowledge and experience gave me confidence in our approach and helped keep my anxieties to a minimum. My divorce was long and difficult with my ex changing attorneys three times. With Justin as my attorney, I felt fully supported, informed at all times, and kept in reality. We had a hearing and more than one mediation in my case. Throughout the process, Justin knew my goals and represented me effectively in getting the result I wanted and needed from the Judge and at mediations. Thanks again Justin for your good guidance.

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