M. Jonathan Hayes

Senior Counsel, RHM Law, LLP (Los Angeles, CA)

Biography

M. Jonathan Hayes has practiced consumer bankruptcy law primarily for the past 42 years in Southern California. He recently completed a two-year sabbatical as the BAP Law Clerk first for Judge Laura Taylor in San Diego and then for Judge William Lafferty in Oakland. He is now Senior Counsel to the bankruptcy firm of RHM Law, LLP. Jon has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of West Los Angeles School of Law for the past 33 years where he has taught Bankruptcy, Business Associations and other subjects. Jon was a member of the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, Bankruptcy Law Advisory Commission, 2010 to 2018. He was Vice-Chairman for the year 2016-2017 and Chairman for the year 2017-2018. He was President of the Central District Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney’s Assn (“cdcbaa”), 2013 and 2014, and is a member of the Board of Directors 2008 to present. He was a Lawyer Representative to the Central District Judicial Conference, 2014 to 2019. Today he has joined with Hon. Meredith Jury (Ret.) to form a bankruptcy appellate “dream team” with six other bankruptcy attorneys throughout the 9th Circuit to help consumer attorneys with their bankruptcy appeals. Jon has written four books entitled, “A Summary of Chapter 13” published in November 2019; “A Summary of Bankruptcy Law, Third Edition” published in December, 2016; “Bankruptcy Jurisprudence from the Supreme Court, Second Edition” published in 2016; and “Melvyn ‘Deacon’ Jones: My 40 years with the Blues Legends,” published in 2004. All are available on Amazon.com. You can reach Jon at [email protected].

Articles by M. Jonathan Hayes

Hayes Jury
February 1, 2026
Judge Jury gives a thoughtful answer to Attorney Hayes question: “My client is adamant that I appeal but I'm afraid the judge will be mad at me. Do you have a comfort blanket I might use to quell my fears?”
Members
Hayes Jury
November 23, 2025
Are pre-petition refunds to investors made by a person operating a Ponzi scheme avoidable as preferences? Yes, says the Supreme Court.
Members
Hayes Jury
November 9, 2025
Last month, the Supreme Court granted cert agreeing to consider the issue of judicial estoppel arising in a Chapter 13 case.
Members
Hayes Jury
November 2, 2025
Does an individual have a constitutional right to a bankruptcy discharge without paying the required filing fees? In 1973, the Supreme Court answered this question with a not-so-resounding no.
Members
Hayes Jury
October 12, 2025
Can an omission be a “statement of financial condition” sufficient to establish non-dischargeability under § 523(a)(2)(B) Yes, says Judge Dennis Montali in In re Schoenmann.
Members
Hayes Jury
September 21, 2025
Can an omission be a “statement of financial condition” sufficient to establish non-dischargeability under § 523(a)(2)(B)? Yes, says Judge Dennis Montali
Members
Hayes Jury
August 24, 2025
Jon Hayes article from earlier this month garnered some discussion you may want to check out and comment on – scroll to the comments section at the bottom of the article.
Members
Hayes Jury
August 3, 2025
Does Bartenwerfer extend to willful and malicious injuries? No says the 9th Circuit BAP.
Members
Hayes Jury
June 22, 2025
This week, Attorney Hayes brings readers an excellent outline on finality and standing. “. . . . final order is a strange animal in the bankruptcy world.”
Members
Hayes Jury
May 4, 2025
A new series from Attorney Jon Hayes. “I expect to cover every aspect of appeals carefully over the next couple months. Part 2 will have my thoughts on how to choose a good case to appeal.”
Members
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