Bio
A Different Kind of Law Student
Jay Haws is a JD/MBA candidate at Wake Forest University School of Law and School of Business, graduating May 2027. He is building toward a practice in corporate law or business litigation, with academic and practical experience that spans both.
His academic record reflects that direction. Jay has earned CALI honors, the highest grade in the class, in both Contracts and Corporate Governance. He serves as Problem Chair of Wake Forest's Transactional Law Team, was a finalist in both the Tulane and Villanova Professional Football Negotiation Competitions, and is an Online Editor for the Journal of Business and Intellectual Property Law. He also works as a Research Assistant to Professor Gregory Parks. His coursework spans Mergers and Acquisitions, Federal and Corporate Tax, and Contracts and Commercial Transactions Drafting.
Before law school, Jay earned a B.S. in Finance from the University of Minnesota, where he captained the Club Baseball team. Before that, he played Division III baseball and football, an experience that shaped his understanding of what it demands to compete in a team environment under real pressure.
That competitive background carried into entrepreneurship. Jay took over and managed the Stillwater Loggers, a collegiate summer baseball team in Stillwater, Minnesota, scheduling 30+ games annually, raising over $10K in funding across three years, and hosting free youth clinics in the community. He also worked in guest services with the Minnesota Twins, gaining exposure to how a Major League organization operates from the inside.
Professionally, Jay has drafted complaints, motions, and demand letters as a Legal Intern at Lester Law; supported client portfolio work at Highmark Wealth Management; and has served as a Compliance Legal Extern at Wake Forest Athletics since May 2026. Sports is a genuine part of his background, not just a specialty label.
Experience
Background and Experience
Applied University policies and regulations of the ACC Conference, NCAA, and other authorities, remaining current on trends and changes related to compliance in intercollegiate athletics.
Drafted NCAA eligibility waiver submissions on behalf of student-athletes, coordinating with transfer institutions' compliance offices and preparing supporting rationale to present each athlete's eligibility case to the Association.
Researched and analyzed NCAA bylaw interpretations applicable to specific compliance questions, delivering legal analysis on the most likely regulatory meaning, including in instances where the analysis was unfavorable to the institution.
Drafted a compliance stipulation in collaboration with the Athletics General Counsel, establishing required conduct and representations for a prospective coaching hire under Wake Forest, ACC, and NCAA conflicts of interest rules.
Attended and assisted in the creation of compliance certification meetings for all athletic programs on campus, covering both student-athletes and athletics staff. Prepared rules education packets for staff and a reference document for an incoming compliance administrator summarizing key regulatory differences between FBS and FCS programs.
Updated eligibility forms for the majority of athletic programs on campus to accurately reflect each student-athlete's remaining eligibility under the new NCAA eligibility model, with submissions coordinated through academic affairs and reported to the ACC and NCAA.
Researched and drafted complaints, demand letters, and responsive briefs for supervising attorneys. Drafted and filed two complaints for breach of land-transfer contracts, and worked directly with a client on the appraisal and partition of inherited family property.
Took over ownership and management of a collegiate summer baseball program. Scheduled 30+ games annually to prepare players for collegiate-level competition, led fundraising generating over $10K across three years, and hosted free annual youth clinics.
Worked within a Major League Baseball organization, gaining insight into front-office operations, fan relations, and the business side of professional sports.
Provided private baseball instruction to players ages 6 to 18. Coached travel club teams ages 10 to 18 at tournaments across the country.
Supported the client-meeting process from scheduling and preparation through documentation and follow-up. Built an asset-performance tracker delivering portfolio insights for client advisors.
Played Division III baseball and football, developing firsthand understanding of what it demands to compete as a student-athlete.
Education
Academic Background
GPA: 3.534 (Law) · 3.713 (MBA). CALI Awards (highest grade in class) in Contracts and Corporate Governance. Problem Chair, Transactional Law Team (Finalist, Tulane and Villanova Professional Football Negotiation Competitions). Online Editor, Journal of Business and Intellectual Property Law. President, Sports and Entertainment Law Society. Research Assistant to Professor Gregory Parks. Coursework: M&A, Corporate Tax, Federal Income Tax, Corporate Governance, Commercial Transactions Drafting.
Club Baseball (Captain, 2022 to 2023).
Connect
Let's Connect
Whether you're a recruiter, a fellow practitioner, or just interested in working together, I'd love to connect.