Jennifer Barnes Hayes is the President and Founder of Barnes Hayes Global Compliance Solutions, Inc. Leveraging 30 years of legal experience, Jennifer launched a global concierge consulting firm specializing in maritime compliance law and regulations. Jennifer believes compliance is more than paperwork and seeks to offer cost-effective and manageable compliance packages and legal consulting in a highly regulated industry.
Not only does Jennifer understand the legal aspects of the maritime industry, she has first-hand nautical experience and also a love for the water. As an undergraduate at Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and Oceanography and competed in the Collegiate National Sailing Championship.
Following her graduation from the State University of New York Maritime College, Jennifer served as Third Mate aboard Arco Tankers for three years. During this time, there were few women crewmembers, and often Jennifer was the only female onboard. The seagoing experience fueled her interest in maritime law and shaped her future career choices. Jennifer received her Juris Doctorate from the University of New Hampshire Law School and her Masters in Admiralty Law at Tulane University where she was a Maritime Law Center Fellow.
After graduating with distinction from Tulane, Jennifer began her legal career as a Litigation Associate at Lord Day & Lord, but subsequently moved to the State of Washington Office of Marine Safety, serving as the Special Assistant to the Administrator. During her time with the Marine Safety Office, Jennifer assisted with drafting rules under the State of Washington Oil Pollution Act of 1990. From 2005 to 2013, Jennifer led the legal department for the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), ending with the position of Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. While at ABS, she directed legal tactics for the “largest maritime case in history” involving the MV Prestige oil spill. Additionally, Jennifer played a key role in the company’s expansion into international markets, including China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and India. In 2013, Jennifer left ABS to lead Anadarko’s compliance litigation and internal investigation teams. While at Anadarko, Jennifer lobbied government ministers in South Africa to repeal and then rewrite an amendment to mining and petroleum law, achieving a valuable revision to the original amendment.
Today, Jennifer is not only building and directing Barnes Hayes Global Compliance Solutions, Inc.; she also serves on the board for Reléve Dance Project, a non-profit organization providing dance classes for underprivileged children in the Austin area. Jennifer previously served on the board for the Girl Scouts Hornet's Nest Council of Charlotte and volunteered as a panel member for several legal panels in the Houston area. She is a member of the Maritime Law Association and the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators. Jennifer holds bar admission in New York, Massachusetts, Washington DC, Connecticut, and Washington State.