BACKGROUND

Jay's roots are deep in northeast Missouri.  Born to a family of nine children, he was raised in Monroe City.  Kirksville first became home while earning a BA degree in Mass Communications from Truman State University, which he completed in 1980.  Jay received his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 1984.  After graduation from law school, Jay returned to Kirksville; he has practiced law in Kirksville since that time.  Jay is married and has two children.

Jay founded The Benson Law Firm in 2004; since that time the firm has grown to include three lawyers, each of whom are committed to providing agressive and skilled representation to clients suffering personal injury or accidental death of a loved one, or in need of criminal defense.

COMMUNITY/PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT

Jay believes that a successful law practice requires a commitment to both his community and to his profession. Since he began his career as a trial lawyer in Kirksville in 1984, Jay has served on the Board of Directors of the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce and on the School Board of Mary Immaculate Catholic School in Kirksville. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc., a drug and alcohol treatment facility and a provider of mental health services. 

Jay is a member of Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Kirksville. He is the co-founder of the Mary Immaculate Catholic Education Foundation, Inc., and serves on its Board of Directors. Jay has sponsored and coached little league baseball and YMCA youth basketball. 

Jay is an avid pilot, and was a charter member of Kirksville Airport Association, Inc., where he served on the Board of Directors. 

Jay has been a member of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA)-an organization of trial lawyers in the State of Missouri whose practices focus on consumers who sustain injuries or damages by reason of the negligent acts or omissions of others-since 1986.  In 1997, Jay was elected to MATA's Board of Governors.  Jay has served on the MATA Board of Governors since that date.  Jay has also served as Co-Chairman of MATA's Association Development Committee and as Chairman of the Motor Vehicle/Insurance Law Committee.  In 2003, Jay became the Editor of a quarterly magazine published by MATA, The Missouri Trial Attorney, and Jay's service to MATA as Editor of its quarterly magazine continues to this date.

MEMBERSHIPS 

Adair County Bar Association (President, 1989-1990)

The Missouri Bar (MoBar)

American Bar Association (ABA)

Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys (MATA) (Board of Governors: 1997 to present)

The American Association for Justice 

Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL)

The Association of Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (AITLAmerica)

Trial Lawyers for Public Justice