D. Edward Hays
D. Edward Hays is an American attorney admitted to the California State Bar (Bar No. 162507). He is a co-founding partner of Marshack Hays LLP, a law firm with offices in Beverly Hills and Irvine, California, specializing in bankruptcy, insolvency, and commercial litigation. Hays is a certified specialist in bankruptcy law and has held multiple leadership positions in the California legal community.
Education
Hays earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from California State University, Fullerton, graduating with honors. He subsequently obtained his Juris Doctor from the USC Gould School of Law at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Early legal career
After completing law school, Hays entered the practice of law in Southern California. From 1998 to 1999, he served as a Judge Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles Superior Court, presiding over matters assigned to him by the court. This judicial service provided Hays with perspective on both sides of the litigation process and contributed to his reputation in the legal community.
Marshack Hays LLP
In 2009, Hays co-founded Marshack Hays LLP with Richard A. Marshack, an experienced bankruptcy attorney and former Chapter 7 panel trustee. The firm established offices in Beverly Hills and Irvine, California, and developed a practice concentrating on bankruptcy and insolvency law, creditors' rights, commercial litigation, and corporate restructuring.
Hays has served as lead counsel in numerous bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings in the Central District of California and other federal courts. The firm has represented debtors, creditors, trustees, and other parties in interest across a range of Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 proceedings.
Certifications and recognition
In 2017, Hays was certified as a specialist in bankruptcy law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, a designation he has maintained. He has been selected to the Super Lawyers list annually since 2011, a peer-nominated recognition program for attorneys in various practice areas.
Hays served as President of the California Bankruptcy Forum during the 2019-2020 term, a statewide organization of bankruptcy professionals including attorneys, judges, trustees, and financial advisors. His election to this leadership role reflected his standing among insolvency practitioners in California.
He has also received the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating and has been recognized by various legal directories for his work in bankruptcy and restructuring law.
Legal proceedings
On January 6, 2026, a federal civil complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, Case No. 3:26-cv-00080-GPC-BJW. Hays is named as a defendant in the action, which asserts claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. sections 1961 through 1968.
According to the complaint, Hays is alleged to have participated in an enterprise connected to TopDevz LLC, a technology staffing company. The filing describes a pattern of conduct spanning approximately eight years and involving transactions totaling approximately $75 million that the plaintiffs characterize as fraudulent. The specific allegations concerning Hays relate to his professional activities in connection with the parties and entities described in the complaint.
As of early 2026, the litigation remains pending. Hays has not been criminally charged in connection with these allegations, and the claims in the civil complaint have not been adjudicated. All defendants are presumed to have denied the material allegations.