John A. Hay III, serves as managing partner the Austin based law firm of The Hay Legal Group PLLC. Mr. Hay focuses his practice on commercial and residential real estate, real estate litigation, construction, development, mediation, finance and mortgage lending.

In addition to practicing law, Mr. Hay holds his Texas Escrow Officer’s License, and as a Fee Attorney for Independence Title Company handles the Firm’s commercial and residential real estate closings. As managing partner, Mr. Hay also oversees many of the day to day matters of the Firm and directly manages the title team.

Mr. Hay’s experience includes representing parties to commercial and residential transactions, general council work for real estate brokerages, representing real estate agents, drafting commercial and residential loan documents, real estate entities such as joint ventures, single asset entities, construction and development companies, property entitlement issues, title insurance claims, foreclosure, landlord/tenant matters, financial institutions, property tax protests, divorce proceedings and administrative matters.

Prior to forming The Hay Legal Group PLLC (fka Hay Darby PLLC/Hay Compere PLLC), Mr. Hay managed a residential mortgage company ranked in the Top 20 by the Austin Business Journal where he earned the NAMB Lending Integrity seal of approval and obtained the highest designation in the industry as a Certified Mortgage Consultant (CMC), and was one of roughly ten in Texas with this designation. Additionally, Mr. Hay held his real estate license and represented clients in both residential and commercial transactions.

Outside of the office Mr. Hay is very active in philanthropy donating countless hours and resources to various organizations. These include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Texas Appleseed, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Young Texans Against Cancer, Caritas, Big Hearts for Brave Hearts, Citizen Generation, and an organization he co-founded, Burnt Orange Benefit.

• Represented $31MM multifamily development in Austin
• Represented buyer of $30M+ office building in Central Texas
• Represented real estate development in Houston to secure acquisition of neighboring property allowing for successful redevelopment of the property
• Represented California bank on sale of foreclosed assets in Texas
• Represented countless homeowners and real estate brokers in disputes
• Represented many Texas chartered banks in real estate matters
• Represented national mortgage banks in the areas of mortgage document, title and foreclosure matters
• Represented Texas real estate investment group with $200M+ under management on all matters of real estate including leasing, document review, contract negotiation, tenant disputes and collections on their Texas assets
• Represented Colorado multifamily real estate group in leasing and tenant matters for 700+ bed student housing and commercial property in Austin, Texas
• Represented numerous real estate brokerages as general council
• Represented mortgage loan officers in employment dispute with bank
• Represented single asset entity in Austin with title insurance, bad faith and breach of contract claim
• Represented clients in divorce and other family matters
• Represented landowners in easement matters
• Represented landowners in entitlement, zoning, land use and other matters
• Represented homeowners on construction defect matters
• Represented injured victim on construction defect matter
• Represented numerous companies as general council
• Represented renewable energy company in landowner disputes
• Represented restaurant group on merger
• Represented Austin cookie company on lease negotiations across Texas
• Negotiated mortgage modification and foreclosure workouts for commercial and residential borrowers
• Defended the largest title insurance company in the nation with Texas claims
• Defended landlords on wrongful foreclosure actions
• Defended construction companies in construction defect matters
• Defended commercial and residential property owners, developers, and managers in real property disputes
• Defended insurance companies in administrative actions
• Provided insurance coverage opinions
• Advised on statutory and regulatory compliance
• Served as an expert witness for title insurance escrow procedures
• Closed over 2,000 residential and commercial escrow transactions