In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, Von Hays discusses the traits he seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working with him and more.
Texas Lawbook: What do you look for in hiring outside counsel?
Von Hays: Competency, connectivity and the ability to understand our business perspective as well as our legal concerns. Truly investing in us a partner is also important.
Lawbook: What does outside counsel need to know about working with you?
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Hays: I need to be kept informed, and I expect outside counsel to help us see around corners as that is what is expected of me and my team.
Lawbook: What question am I not asking that I should be asking?
Hays: Perhaps how can outside counsel improve their “value proposition” for organizations? Again, I would identify partnership, understanding our business as well as the internal legal/business motivations and issues — truly understanding how corporate legal operates so their advice and efforts align. Often there is a gap in understanding for law firms in how best to manage the relationship.
Fun Facts: Von Hays
- Favorite book: The Book of Basketball — The NBA according to The Sports Guy. It is entertaining, light, filled with cultural inside jokes but thought provoking on how you examine “greatness.” It also is on a topic of constant debate between my son and me about rankings of sports legends.
- Favorite musician: Morgan Wallen
- Favorite movie: The Godfather or Caddyshack. Both decidedly quotable for different reasons.
- Favorite restaurant: Green burritos at Del Taco — simple and delicious.
- Favorite beverage: Coffee — also simple and delicious.
- Favorite vacation: Trip to Italy in December 2024 with my wife and two children. The kids, in their early 20s, were old enough to really enjoy all aspects of the trip — wine, food, history, etc. — and my wife and I were able to spend time with them as adults and see how they have grown as individuals.
- Your hero in life: My wife, Kristin. She has been an inspiration as to how she leads teams, how she parents, how she develops relationships, her strategic thinking, etc. I have always just tried to keep pace as she achieves all of this while still doing a lot more for me and our family than I do for her.