About Kevin D.
Kevin D. Hays built his academic foundation around law and criminal justice. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice — Law Enforcement from Texas State University in 2005. He went on to attend St. Mary’s University School of Law and completed his Juris Doctor in 2010. Those years shaped his understanding of both the practical and doctrinal sides of criminal law.
After law school, Hays established a practice anchored in the courts where he is licensed to appear. He holds admissions to the State of Texas bar, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the District of Columbia courts. Over time he has worked on matters that required navigation of state and federal procedures. Clients and colleagues describe him as steady in court and concise in written filings.
Hays’s background in criminal justice informs the way he approaches cases. He pays attention to investigative details and the sequence of events that lead to charges. He also brings that vantage point to questions of evidence and procedure. In written work he tends to favor clarity and economy; in court he aims to keep the record focused on dispositive issues.
Beyond courtroom work, Hays participates in the legal community. He maintains current professional memberships and stays engaged with developments in federal appellate practice and District of Columbia procedures. He has followed changes in sentencing law and federal practice rules closely, and incorporates those developments into case strategy when relevant. He also mentors junior lawyers and staff, translating courtroom lessons into practical advice for trial preparation and appellate briefing.
Colleagues note that Hays balances a methodical approach to casework with an ability to react under pressure. He prepares for hearings and appeals the way many litigators prepare for trials: methodically, with an eye toward the record and the standards of review that will apply. That preparation shows up in hearings, motions practice, and appellate filings.
Today Hays continues to practice primarily in Texas while accepting matters that require appearances in the Fifth Circuit and the District of Columbia. He concentrates his work on litigation that engages both state and federal court procedures and handles appellate matters arising from lower-court rulings.
