Kait Hayden

Kait Hayden graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in English, specializing in composition and rhetoric, and earned a certificate in interdisciplinary writing. During her time at UGA, Kait excelled as an Academic All-American Second Team student-athlete on the University’s rowing team, where she served as both a coxswain and rower. She also had the honor of studying abroad at Oxford University.
Following her undergraduate studies, Kait earned her Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law, focusing her education entirely on criminal defense. Her dedication led her to multiple internships and externships in indigent defense, including roles with the Georgia Capital Defenders, the Georgia Innocence Project, the Georgia Public Defender’s Standard Council, and the Metro Conflict Defenders. As a Graduate Research Assistant, she contributed to challenging the standard of proof required by Georgia courts in cases involving intellectually disabled defendants.

Kait began her legal career as an associate attorney at Morrison & Hughes, litigating workers’ compensation claims. After briefly stepping away from legal practice to focus on her family and the birth of her two children, Kait returned to her passion for criminal defense. She served as a public defender in Henry County and Clayton County, handling a range of felony cases. Through this role, Kait gained extensive trial experience and hands-on training in cases ranging from drug possession to serious felony charges, including rape, aggravated child molestation, and murder.

Kait is deeply committed to the vital role of criminal defense attorneys in the justice system. She continually enhances her skills through rigorous continuing education and trial advocacy programs to provide the highest level of representation for her clients. She is a proud graduate of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ “Bill Daniel Trial Advocacy Program,” a prestigious and competitive trial skills training led by Georgia’s top criminal defense attorneys.
Outside of work, Kait enjoys hiking, camping, reading, and attending concerts.