Dr. David Hayes

Assistant Professor

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Biography

David J. Hayes is a nationally recognized environmental and energy natural resources lawyer who leads the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center at New York University School of Law. He supports state attorneys general in advocating for clean energy, climate, and environmental laws and policies. Hayes previously served as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior under Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. He was the Chief Operating Officer of the Interior Department, overseeing nine major bureaus with 70,000 employees. Between 2013 and 2017, he was a visiting lecturer at Stanford Law School and was affiliated with Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment and the Precourt Institute for Energy. Hayes also serves on the board of directors of the Coalition for Green Capital and the Advisory Council of Stanford’s Bill Lane Center for the American West. He is the founder of the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance and worked in the private sector as a partner in the global chair of the Environment, Land & Resources department at Latham & Watkins, an international law firm. Hayes graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame and obtained his JD from Stanford Law School.

Research Interests

Experience

Executive Director

— Present

State Energy & Environmental Impact Center • New York, NY

Leads efforts to support state attorneys general in advocating for clean energy and environmental policies.

Adjunct Professor

— Present

NYU School of Law • New York, NY

Teaches courses focused on the relationship between environmental issues and energy sectors.

Deputy Secretary

— Present

U.S. Department of the Interior • Washington, DC

Oversaw departmental operations and managed a workforce of approximately 70,000 employees.

Courses

Modern Crosscurrents Energy Environmental Law Seminar

Requirements for New York University School of Law

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
IELTS
Listening
Required:7.5
Reading
Required:7.5
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
First degree in law (JD or LLB) from an ABA-approved school or a foreign equivalent.
Application Checklist
  • Online application via LSAC
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Official Transcripts
  • Class Rank Statement
  • Recommendation Letter(s)
  • English Proficiency Test Score (if applicable)
Specialization Notes

The Master of Laws (LLM) is a general degree. Applicants from the 'Department of Law' typically enroll in the general LLM or one of the specialized LLM programs.