James T. Hayes, Jr. is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and tenured executive who successfully navigates the intersection of government process and private sector initiatives for his clients. At Guidepost, he assists clients with complex and urgent issues involving comprehensive security and threat assessments, in-depth investigations, visa and immigration matters, risk mitigation, and international travel consulting.
Mr. Hayes has extensive experience managing investigations and security management for DHS and led the Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) largest field office in New York City. During this period, he led efforts to work with sports leagues, franchises, and entertainment companies to safeguard their intellectual property rights, protect their brands and enhance security management as well as numerous high-profile investigations targeting terrorism, money laundering, racketeering, child exploitation, narcotics trafficking, human smuggling and trafficking and intellectual property violations.
Sports and Entertainment Practice
At Guidepost Solutions, Mr. Hayes heads the Sport and Entertainment practice focusing on complex solutions for his clients. Additional engagements include:
- Developed and maintained relationships with Federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial partners as well as relationships with private sector partners such as the NFL, Major League Baseball (MLB), NBA, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship while at DHS.
- Led security planning and proactive enforcement operations prior to and during Super Bowl 48 at Met Life Stadium, Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game in 2013 at Citi Field, and numerous Ultimate Fighting Championship events throughout the country.
- Counseled an NFL organization about business/facility management and security principles and practices designed to safely allow for the re-entry of employees, vendors, spectators and others following the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. Our guidance included an examination of legal and regulatory impacts.
- Collaborated with an NFL organization on crowd management, emergency planning and management, and security principles and practices. This included leading a penetration testing exercise aimed at measuring the effectiveness of the organization’s facility security procedures and crowd management capabilities.
- Consulted with a MLB organization to identify the suitability of job candidates across the organization. This engagement included a review of hundreds of background investigation filed, civil and criminal court records, and other materials in accordance with the organization’s security principles and practices. Our review was consistent with accepted legal and regulatory practices related to employment screening.
- Advised a variety of public and private venue and business representatives on subjects such as active assailant and workplace violence training, compliance practices, emergency planning and management practices, crisis management practices, and general security practices and principles.
- Engaged with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Safety Act Implementation to understand the principles and requirements of the DHS Safety Act.
Government Liaison and Investigative Matters
Mr. Hayes brings over 25 years of expertise in immigration and customs law, offering invaluable guidance to clients worldwide as they navigate the intricacies of the visa approval and appeals processes. His extensive experience includes successful collaborations with all levels of government, advocating on behalf of clients seeking temporary visits or investments in U.S. businesses. Renowned for his adept understanding of the complex procedures and his skill in maneuvering through the bureaucratic channels of the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, Mr. Hayes expedites approvals in exceptional cases, ensuring timely and efficient outcomes.
While with the government, Mr. Hayes served as the lead for a variety of large-scale investigations. Notably, he managed the HSI’s staff assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation-led Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and oversaw investigations that disrupted dozens of terrorism plots including the identification and arrest of the Times Square bomber, the identification and arrest of individuals targeting New York City landmarks, and its subway system for terror attacks; the PENTTBOMB investigation; the FBI JTTF investigation into the 9-11 terrorism attacks; and served as HSI’s lead management representative on terrorism operations.
Before joining Guidepost, he was the vice president of financial crimes compliance for First Data Corporation responsible for development, implementation and execution of financial crimes compliance programs, including leadership of anti-money laundering investigation programs.
Mr. Hayes began his career as a United States Border Patrol Agent in Del Rio, Texas and later served as a Special Agent with Homeland Security in Los Angeles California.
