Jay has practiced law in Kirksville since 1984, with extensive courtroom and trial experience in venues spanning northeast Missouri. Jay grew up in Monroe City in a large family with eight brothers and sisters. A 1980 Truman State University alum with a degree in Mass Communications, Jay obtained his law degree from University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1984. Jay is married to Vicki Benson, a broker/realtor with RE/MAX Home Team in Kirksville. Jay and Vicki have two children, a son, Quinn, who is a third-year law student at University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a daughter, Lara, who is a first-year student at University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law.

Jay is a long-term, active participant in the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA). He has served on MATA’s Board of Governors since 1997 and was elected to MATA’s Executive Committee in 2009. Jay served as President of MATA from June 2016 through June 2017. He served as editor of The Missouri Trial Attorney, MATA’s quarterly publication, from 2003 to 2009. MATA is an organization of 1,300 plus Missouri attorneys who represent individuals and family members who have been injured or killed due to the negligence or reckless conduct of individuals, organizations or corporations.

Jay is an enthusiastic and supportive fan of the athletic programs of the University of Missouri Tigers, the Truman State University Bulldogs and the Kirksville High School Tigers. He is also an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs.