Eric P. Hayes

Eric Hayes, a counsel in the firm’s Trusts & Estate Planning practice, focuses his practice on estate and trust administration, advising individuals, as well as banks, trust companies and professional fiduciaries. Mr. Hayes joined Goodwin in 2012.

With over 30 years’ experience working at banks, Mr. Hayes has a comprehensive understanding of clients’ needs in the field of estate and trust administration. He was active on the committees to pass the Massachusetts Prudent Investor Act, the Massachusetts Uniform Trust Code, and the Massachusetts Principal and Income Act, and as a result, has extensive knowledge of how of these new laws will affect clients in these areas.

Mr. Hayes is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a national elective organization of trust and estate attorneys. He also was elected in 2020 to serve as President of the Board of Trustees at Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE). Mr. Hayes has served as chair of the ad hoc committee for the Massachusetts Prudent Investor Act, the Massachusetts Uniform Trust Code Committee and served on the Massachusetts Principal and Income Act Committee. Mr. Hayes was a co-chair of Boston Bar Association’s Trusts and Estates Section, and was president of the Boston Estate Planning Council. He was a member of the American Bankers Association Trust Management Association and formerly served on the American Bankers Association Trust Counsel and Legislative Committee. Mr. Hayes also chaired the Massachusetts Bankers Association Trust Executive Committee. In 2000, he was the recipient of the Boston Estate Planning Council’s Excellence Award.

Mr. Hayes has over 30 years’ experience working at banks, including State Street Bank and Trust Company. Prior to joining Goodwin, Mr. Hayes was the Regional Managing Director of Wells Fargo Private Bank in Boston.

Mr. Hayes has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America Best Lawyers for his work in Trusts and Estates 2022-2023.

Mr. Hayes is a frequent speaker on trust and estate administration and estate planning at programs and seminars. He is the author, editor and/or contributor of several MCLE publications including “Understanding and Using Trusts” (2020), “Practical Guide to Estate Planning in Massachusetts” (2011), “Drafting Irrevocable Trusts” (2010), and “Drafting Wills and Trusts” (2012). Mr. Hayes is also co-author and author, respectively, of Loring: A Trustee’s Handbook, published by Little Brown in 1994, and The Prudent Man Becomes a Prudent Investor: The Massachusetts Prudent Investor Act, published by the American Bankers Association in 2000.