Hayward, California

Hayward is located in the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The current population is estimated at 151,300. The first inhabitants of Hayward were the Costanoan Indians. Mexico gained control of the area after the Spanish-Mexican War (1810-1821), and much of the area became part of Rancho San Lorenzo in 1840. Then the United States gained control of the area after the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). Hayward was first known as “Haywards,” then as “Haywood,” then again as “Haywards" and finally as “Hayward.” Historians debate whether the city was named after Alvinza Hayward, a millionaire from the California Gold Rush period, or after William Dutton Hayward, a man who opened a hotel in the area in 1852. 

Hayward’s early economy was based mostly on the Hunt Brothers Cannery, which was later named Hunt-Wesson Foods. The cannery experienced a boom during the 1960s and 1970s, opening three canneries, a can-making company, a pickle factory and a glass manufacturer. In 1981 the canneries closed due to not enough produce fields or fruit orchards near the canneries to make their operations economically productive. Today the top five employers in Hayward are: Hayward Unified School District, California State University, East Bay, Kaiser Permanente, the city of Hayward and St. Rose Hospital. Southland Mall is Hayward’s largest and most popular shopping center.

A museum operated by The Hayward Area Historical Society is located in Downtown Hayward. California State University, East Bay and Chabot College, a community college that Tom Hanks attended, are located in Hayward. There are many other notable people from Hayward including the following: John Beck, the National Football League quarterback; Davone Bess, Miami Dolphins football team wide receiver; Jon Miller, ESPN and Major League Baseball announcer; Bill Walsh, former NFL coach; Bill Lockyer, California politician and current state treasurer; and Dwayne Johnson, also known as “The Rock,” actor and former professional wrestler.

Within Hayward are four regional parks -- the Don Castro Regional Recreation Area, Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park, Hayward Regional Shoreline and Garin Regional Park -- all of which are part of the East Bay Regional Park District. Hayward’s few landmarks are Hayward City Hall, The Tower at Hayward and Alex Giualini Plaza. Today Hayward is considered the “Heart of the Bay,” as it is centrally located in the Bay Area and also because it is warm and friendly. Hayward has a growing business community and has created a growth management strategy program to handle the needs of its growing and diverse community and the need for economic development.

The city of Hayward is building a pedestrian-friendly downtown, balancing the mix of housing, retail, office spaces and restaurants -- with the Civic Center at the center, symbolizing a strong heritage and ability to change with the times. The city boasts its dedication to encourage new businesses to move there, along with expanding their sales tax base and strengthening their economy. Recently, Hayward made the Top Five List of Best-Wired Locations in the Country.

the Brod Law Firm takes professional pride in representing the interests of all of our clients in Hayward and around the Bay Area. We focus on helping individuals and small businesses, not insurance companies or large corporations. In our law practice, we work to resolve disputes in the most efficient way possible, and we handle litigation matters through court trials and appeals.

We are Hayward personal injury attorneys, and we work on a contingency-fee basis in injury cases. In a contingency-fee based case, unless there is a recovery on your behalf, there are no legal fees owed. the Brod Law Firm believes strongly in fighting for the rights of our clients, and we focus on helping victims of very serious and catastrophic injuries. We are Hayward business attorneys, and we strive to effectively and efficiently resolve disputes of small businesses in and around Hayward while addressing their legal and financial interests and goals.

Directions to our San Francisco office from Hayward are as follows: Take Interstate 880 to Interstate 80 and then the Bay Bridge to San Francisco and exit at Fremont Street. Merge onto Fremont Street and turn left onto Mission Street. Turn right onto Anthony Street and take the first right onto Jessie Street. The office is at 100 Pine St #1250.