This attorney has been selected for the recognitions mentioned herein, which have been conferred by the corresponding publications and/or organizations noted. An overview of the award selection methodologies for these recognitions can be found here. Links to certain specific methodologies are embedded in individual entries. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Overview

Brian Hayes counsels clients on a variety of employment-related issues, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour claims, employee mobility and trade secrets, breach of contract, and defamation. Brian has deep experience advising clients on severance and release agreements, restrictive covenants and trade secrets, worker classification, creating employee handbooks and policies, reductions in force, leaves of absence, wage and hour compliance, and other employment law developments.

Prior Experience

Before joining Faegre Drinker, Brian worked for two Am Law 100 firms focusing on employment, labor and workforce management. Recently, he has advised clients on issues related to COVID-19 including workplace safety plans, vaccine mandates, testing programs and return to office programs.

Before attending law school, Brian worked as a human resources and labor relations professional in the energy and telecommunications industries for nearly a decade. He uses that experience to help clients find solutions to their employment problems.

Personal Interests

Brian enjoys travelling in his free time.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Connecticut
New Jersey
New York

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Education

Boston University School of Law
J.D. cum laude (2017)

London School of Economics and Political Science
MSc in International Employment Relations & Human Resource Management, with Merit (2006)

Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations
B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations (2004)

Analyzing the Impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision to End Affirmative Action

Analyzing the Impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision to End Affirmative Action

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Insights & Events

Latest
Blog Post December 2025

New Jersey Noncompete Ban Clears Major Legislative Hurdle

Laborsphere blog
1 min read
Blog Post June 2025

Supreme Court Clarifies Title VII Disparate Treatment Theory: What Employers Should Know in the Evolving Legal Environment

Laborsphere blog
1 min read
Recorded Webinar March 19, 2025 CLE

Mental Health Part 1: Policies, Benefit Plans, and Other Ways Employers Can Impact Employee Well-Being - Webinar

2025 Labor & Employment Law Developments: Staying on Top of Your Game
2 min read
Recorded Webinar June 25, 2024 CLE

SFFA v. UNC/Harvard: Taking Stock One Year Later - Webinar

Session 1: Updates on the Legal Landscape — Labor & Employment
1 min read
最新 April 2024

Key U.S. District Court Ruling: Plaintiff’s Challenge to DEI Program Under Section 1981 Fails When She Lacked Standing Because She Did Not Apply

5 min read
最新 October 2023

A Tale of Two Cases – DEI Programs Under Scrutiny

8 min read
最新 September 2023

Update on Post-SFFA Challenges to DEI Initiatives: Law Firm Fellowship Programs in the Crosshairs

17 min read
最新 August 2023

Life After Students for Fair Admissions: Dissecting Challenges to Employers’ Diversity Programs

7 min read
最新 July 2023

Next Stage Considerations About the Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Decision: How to Put the Warning Letter from the State Attorneys General in Context

3 min read
最新 July 2023

U.S. Supreme Court Invalidates Race-Conscious Admissions: Key Considerations for Postsecondary Institutions, Employers and Others

20 min read
Other Perspectives
  • Dissecting challenges to employers’ diversity programs
    Indiana Employment Law Letter, September 1, 2023
    Great Lakes Employment Law Letter, Vol. 4, No. 9, September 2023

Leadership & Community

Civic Activities

  • The Keith B. Hayes Foundation – Co-founder and Director