Nicholas Hay
I am a wholly mobile law firm representing clients in NE Iowa.
- Biography
I have called Iowa home my entire life. My first job offer out of law school brought me to NE Iowa for the first time in my life, and I was disappointed it took me 25 years to see it with my own eyes. I worked for a small general practice firm in Waukon for about 4 years before I left to become my own boss. I have been living the dream and operating my own firm, Hay Law, P.L.C. since June 2015. The vast majority of my time practicing has been dedicated to criminal law whether it is fighting about traffic tickets or the police cutting corners and violating a citizen’s civil rights, zealously defending the accused has been my passion. In April 2015 my beautiful and dashing wife and I got married. We met in law school and she decided early on she would not be a soulless attorney, and she has never looked back. We moved to Decorah in May of 2016, and it was at that time I decided to make my law firm completely mobile. I travel to you or we can find a mutually agreeable location to discuss what I can do for you. Do not wait another minute, call now for a free consultation.
- Practice Areas
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
- Civil Rights
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Discrimination, Employment, Fair Housing, Police Misconduct, Privacy Law
- Consumer Law
- Class Action, Lemon Law
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights
- DUI & DWI
- Education Law
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father’s Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Juvenile Law
- Landlord Tenant
- Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Landlord Rights, Rent Control, Tenants’ Rights
- Traffic Tickets
- Suspended License
- White Collar Crime
- Fees
- Free Consultation
- Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Iowa
- Since 2011
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- Professional Experience
- Attorney at law, Owner & Boss
- Hay Law, P.L.C.
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2015 –
Current
- I own and operate my own law firm, Hay Law, P.L.C. I am a completely mobile law firm. Iowa is the first state in the country to have a completely electronic filing and document management system. There is no longer a need for a store front or an office. I work wherever I can sit with my laptop and meet with my clients wherever they feel comfortable.
- Associate Attorney
- Jacobson, Bristol, Garrett, & Swartz
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2011 –
2015
- I was a general practice attorney but the majority of my clients were criminal cases, just like they are today. I handled divorces, custody cases, tax law, contract drafting, workers compensation, IRS filings, and just about any odd problem that walked through the door or called the office number. The firm was a partnership that was about to implode, and I took the opportunity to start my own firm and be my own boss. The experience with small claims law, civil law, juvenile law, and administrative law was invaluable and I am extremely grateful I was provided the opportunity to work at the firm right out of law school.
- Education
- Drake University Law School
- J.D. (2011) | Criminal Procedure, Consumer Protection, Criminal Law, Legal Clinic (Practicing real law with real clients under the supervision of a licensed attorney)
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2008
–
2011 - I did not grow up dreaming of becoming a lawyer. I did not even know that I wanted to go to law school until my senior year of college. The decision to continue with law school was solidified by the economy beginning its spiral in early and mid 2008. It was a very challenging three years because we had to approach problems differently than we had been taught our whole life. I am more than willing to discuss the prospects of becoming a lawyer, law school, and then having to take the bar to anyone who wants some advice on the subject.
- Activities: I helped co-found of the Consumer Protection Group at Drake University Law School. Our primary purpose was to help educate the general public about traps companies use to take advantage of consumers, their rights as consumers, and what specific information companies were required to provide to make sure that a consumer was being provided accurate and complete information. I was chosen to participate in the Neal and Bea Smith Criminal Legal Clinic my final semester at Drake Law School, and it was by far the most useful course that I could have ever hoped to take. It was an opportunity for students with so many credits to actually handle real criminal cases. We were restricted from handling felony cases. We were practicing in Polk County, and I believe we had approximately 6-10 cases in total. It taught me how to actual practice law, how to be in front of a judge, and how to interact with clients. On top of teaching the practice of law, there were prosecutors that made us fight for everything tooth and nail. It was an invaluable experience, and it was the only course that gave me practical legal skills over three years.
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- Simpson College
- B.A. (2008) | Mathematics & Political Science
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2004
–
2008 - I was undecided for my first year of undergraduate at Simpson College. I decided to go with math because I am a very analytical person, it requires tremendous attention to detail, and a set of rules and bounds to stay within. I had not idea what I wanted to be when I chose my major, and I had absolutely no idea how much mathematics would help in me excelling in the practice of law.
- Activities: I thoroughly enjoyed my years as an undergraduate. When I was away from studying and boisterous socializing, I involved myself in other productive areas of society. I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. I also volunteered at the local humane society branch, Kiya Koda, and I was responsible for walking dogs; greatest gig of my life. I was involved in Pre-Law Society, and I was elected president my senior year. I also participated in the Mathematical Modeling Competition during all four years of undergrad, and it is absolutely as nerdy as it sounds. Oddly enough, it did help prepare for the physical exertions of law school because the Mathematical Modeling competition was a weekend long 3-person team nationwide contest. Every team locked themselves in a classroom for a weekend, worked on one math problem, and binged on caffeine. Law school was essentially the same thing except it was a more regular occurrence and your entire grade for the class depended on how well you did on that one problem, worst gig ever. I also volunteered weekly with a K-2 special needs class in Des Moines as a senior at Simpson, and that was the first time that working with children actually became a legitimate interest of mine.
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- Awards
- Excellence for the Future Award
- Computer Assisted Legal-Instruction
- 2010
- Awards provided to top grade in a course in participating law schools.
- Professional Associations
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Member
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2015 –
Current -
- Iowa Association for Justice
- Member
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2014 –
Current -
- Iowa State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division
- Member
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2011 –
Current - Activities: I recently became involved in a task force on Student Loan Debt and young attorneys because despite how we are portrayed the vast majority make slightly more than the average salary in our particular county. This is especially true in rural areas. Think of it in terms of this: the average recent college graduate has student loan debt equal to or slightly more than their average starting salary. The average recent law school graduate has student loan debt that is 300% more than their average starting salary.
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- Websites & Blogs
- Website
- Hay Law Online
- Contact & Address
- Rate This Lawyer