In the November 2023 issue of Florida Trend magazine, Gunster Shareholder and Retired Judge, Hugh Hayes, is profiled as an icon, shedding light on his career as the longest-serving judge in Florida history while sharing some personal tidbits.
Hayes joined Gunster earlier this year and focuses his work in the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution practice, serving as a mediator, arbitrator, and special master to select clients. Prior to joining the firm, then-Judge Hayes served the people of Florida, both as a member of the 20th Judicial Circuit and as a County Court judge. He served for two terms as Chief Judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit, and served as the Administrative Judge for Collier County on multiple occasions.
Hugh Hayes, the longest serving judge in Florida history, serves as a Supreme Court and Florida Middle District certified mediator, qualified arbitrator and special master to select clients. He is committed to providing a creative and balanced approach to problem-solving that meets the needs of the party constituents who retain him as a neutral.
In addition to his judicial service, Hugh has served the Naples and broader Collier County community through his engagement with the United Way of Collier County, Naples North Rotary, Florida Bar-focused committees and various legal organizations.
