King & Spalding partners have voted to make Robert D. Hays Jr., a product liability lawyer, their new managing partner starting Jan. 1.

Hays, 47, will take over from Walter W. Driver Jr., who has led the firm for six years. Driver, 60, will retire from King & Spalding when his term expires Dec. 31 and in February will become the president of the United States Golf Association. Driver declined to be interviewed.