Hayes was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and spent his childhood years there and in a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania. In 1984 his family moved to Beaverton, Oregon, where he spent his teen years, graduating from Beaverton High School in 1990.

Hayes enrolled at Oregon State University and graduated summa cum laude in 1994. While at OSU he participated in Navy ROTC, and upon graduation was commissioned as an officer. He was on active duty for four years, during which time he served on a destroyer and an aircraft carrier, completing his service in Everett, Washington.

After the Navy, Hayes enrolled in law school at the University of Washington. He graduated in 2001 and was admitted to the Washington State Bar in November of that year.  

Upon admission to the Bar, Hayes went to work as an associate attorney at Mills Meyers Swartling, a Seattle law firm, where he got invaluable experience in the area of civil litigation, trying and arbitrating several cases.

In August 2006, Hayes opened his practice on Bainbridge Island as a solo practitioner. He enjoys helping individuals and businesses with their legal needs and strives always to provide high quality service in a timely and courteous manner.

Bainbridge Island residents since 2001, Hayes and his wife have enjoyed raising their four children in this wonderful community. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and playing basketball, pickle ball and Wordle.