Paul R. Hays

Paul Raymond Hays (April 2, 1903 - February 13, 1980) was a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Hays obtained bachelors and masters degrees from Columbia University and then graduated from Columbia Law School. He was a law professor at Columbia from 1936 to 1961 and also worked as a legal consultant to the New York State Banking Department.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy named Hays as a judge of the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Hays assumed his judgeship under a recess appointment in October 1961 and was confirmed to a lifetime appointment by the Senate in March 1962.

Hays served as an active judge for 12 years. He assumed senior status in 1974, and died in 1980. His papers are archived at Columbia University and are open to researchers.