Thomas E. Hayes

Thomas E. Hayes

Thomas Hayes has over 30 years of legal experience that gives him a perspective that is very rare indeed. He practiced as a defense attorney representing the insurance industry, hospitals and manufacturers. Tom has also spent several years as a plaintiff’s attorney representing injured clients and their families. For the last decade he has been Assistant General Counsel for an international transportation company overseeing construction contracts, liability claims, workers compensation, FELA, Longshoreman and Jones Act cases. As General Counsel, Tom helped develop and implement Human Resource training and polices, developed contract management and risk transfer programs that have saved millions of dollars. Tom has tried numerous cases and has also resolved many cases through direct negotiations or through mediation of cases of every kind. Not many attorneys have the breadth of experience that has provided the Tom the knowledge to resolve difficult matters and the ability find the best solutions for his clients.

Practice Groups

Employment

The ever-changing landscape of human resources law is dizzying. It can be difficult for any HR team or business owner to keep pace. Whether your HR department is small, large or transitioning, the Employment Practice Group at Wallace Saunders works in tight cooperation with you. We take pride in partnership, collaborating closely to provide legal representation and counsel in a capacity that best serves your needs.

Litigation

Founded as a litigation firm in 1963, our attorneys carry on our tradition of substantial deposition and courtroom experience, with hands-on training that begins early in every attorney’s career. The litigation department is the largest practice area at Wallace Saunders, with more than half of our attorneys working under the Litigation Practice Area umbrella.

Mergers & Acquisitions

The Wallace Saunders Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group advises companies and firms in connection with a wide variety of mergers and acquisitions transactions. We serve as counsel on virtually any type of purchase and sale transaction involving our business clients. Our lawyers have facilitated mergers, acquisitions and dispositions of assets and ownership interests, and a variety of asset combinations, across a wide array of industries. We strive to understand our clients’ financial and operational dynamics, focusing on both the legal and business aspects of a transaction to ensure that the deal structure and terms reflect our clients’ business goals. Our lawyers are skilled at drafting effective representations, warranties, and covenants. The Wallace Saunders Corporate Practice Group assists our Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group clients with entity formation, operations guidance and contracts.

Transportation: Railroad and Trucking

When it comes to trucking and railroading, our attorneys are with you from the start, emphasizing early response to losses. Our transportation attorneys are on call 24/7 to respond to serious accidents and emergencies by visiting accident scenes to gather and preserve evidence. This helps lay the groundwork for a careful investigation and vigorous claim defense. We have an established emergency response protocol, and will work with a team of accident reconstructionists, field investigators, and criminal defense attorneys, when needed, to immediately respond to trucking, railroading, and other transportation accidents and emergencies.

Personal

Family and Friends. Love fishing, sports and fishing.

Idealist • Impactful • Passionate

Education

Juris Doctorate University of Missouri-Kansas City
Truman State University History and Philosophy – Cum Laude

Professional Practice

Baker, Sterchi, Cowden and Rice
Shamberg, Johnson and Bergman
Spigarelli, Spigarelli and Hayes
Watco Companies, LLC

Professional Licensure

Missouri 1987
Kansas 1988
U.S. District Court Missouri and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court Kansas and Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals

Professional Accomplishments

Past President of Crawford County Bar Association
All American Honors QB Division II
MIAA MVP 1981, 1982 and 1983
Academic All-American Honors 1981-1983

Civic Activities

YMCA past board member
Knights of Columbus past Grand Knight
Stewardship Committee Chair Our Lady of Lourdes
Rotarian
Lords Diner

News + Events + Alerts

Attorneys Chris Confer and Stephanie Blaylock return to present at AAR “Claims School”

The American Association of Railroads (“AAR”) recently held its annual “Claims School” – a training and education opportunity the AAR provides to claims representatives of various railroads. Last year, Mr. Confer and Ms. Blaylock presented at the Claims School, and because that presentation was so successful, the AAR invited Mr. Confer and Ms. Blaylock to give this presentation again to a new group of attendees.

Greg Bentz makes presentation at the American Hospital Association Annual Meeting in Washington D.C.

Greg Bentz made a presentation at the American Hospital Association Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. on April 23rd, 2023. The presentation was jointly made by Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin, The President and CEO of the Joint Commission, and Mr. Bentz. The topic was “Revitalize Your Board’s Focus on Quality and Patient Safety.”