About Jay Bryan
James (Jay) Bryan is a retired District Court Judge for Orange and Chatham Counties, an attorney with decades of experience in local government, as well as a state certified mediator in different levels of the North Carolina judicial system.
Jay was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 1978 after receiving a J.D. degree from North Carolina Central Law School and a B.A from Yale University. He worked for a firm in Chapel Hill before setting up his own general practice that covered personal injury, family, abuse and neglect, criminal, and involuntary commitments, with bench and jury trials in civil and criminal defense areas, as well as transactional matters such as real estate and wills.
He has served as a Civil Custody Guardian ad Litem and as a Parenting Coordinator, positions defined as court officers whose responsibilities include working with children, parents and collaterals in custody cases. He has been trained in collaborative law and chaired the board of the Center for Cooperative Parenting, a non-profit which trains and oversees District 18 Guardians ad Litem and parenting coordinators, and successfully advocated for legislation creating the role of parent coordinator across North Carolina.
In 1987 Jay was elected to the Carrboro Board of Aldermen, on which he served for 10 years, participating in numerous committees, task forces, and planning groups. His focus created an atmosphere where people worked together to resolve issues for the good of the whole community. He initiated a set of town standards encouraging mediation among residents, between residents and the town. After leaving office, Jay served on other local government bodies, including the Orange County Planning Board, which he chaired for three years.
In 2012, he was appointed District Court Judge for Orange and Chatham Counties (District 18). He served until retiring in February 2020. Among other efforts, Jay worked with his fellow judges to establish and facilitate committees of stakeholders to work on matters related to the administration of justice for the Orange and Chatham County Courts. In addition to presiding over court, he also was appointed to preside over Judicial Settlement Conferences helping parties and their attorneys come to agreements.
Jay established his own consulting business, Jay Bryan Consulting and Mediation, LLC, after retiring from the bench. He has conducted mediations in Superior Civil, Family and Clerk of Court matters. In addition to mediation, he consults with the Center for Children and Family Futures on Family Treatment Court, was selected as a Technical evaluator of adult drug treatment courts by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, and coaches clients in the UNC Horizons program on preparing for court matters.
In addition to chairing the committee that oversees District 18’s Mentoring Program, he has developed a pilot program to establish the role of an Ombuds for judicial districts, and is developing a Reflective Public Dialogue approach to conflict. This approach encourages people, whether in their neighborhood, workplace, or the larger community, to recognize their common ground and humanity, while respecting differences and overcoming stereotypes.
He is certified to serve as a mediator by the N.C. Dispute Settlement Commission in the following areas: Superior Civil Court (2000), Family Divorce and Property (2004), and Clerk of Court (2009). He was recertified in 2019. He is also on the N.C. Industrial Commission’s Appointed List of Mediators for Workers Compensation cases.
Jay is available for speaking and training opportunities in his areas of practice.
Learn more about:
Jay’s Licenses and Certifications
and his experience in Mediation, Court Consultation,
and Government Facilitation
Read an appreciation of Jay
by former State Senator Ellie Kinnaird
Contact information:
P.O. Box 433
Carrboro, N.C. 27510
jaytbryan7@gmail.com
Phone – 919-608-3570
Learn more about:
Jay’s Licenses & Certifications
and his experience in
Mediation, Court Consultation,
Government Facilitation,
and Additional Experience.
Read an appreciation of Jay
by former State Senator Ellie Kinnaird