Jay is a graduate of Elkins High School high in his hometown of Elkins, West Virginia. He went on to West Virginia University where he graduated magna cum laude and was selected to the academic honor societies of Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Sigma Alpha. After receiving his degree in political science from WVU, Jay attended the West Virginia College of Law where he graduated first in his class. Jay was also selected to the Order of the Coif and the Law Review at the College. He also won the 1985 writing award and was the Senior Editor of the Law Review's National Coal Issue.
Throughout his legal career Jay has written numerous briefs and scholarly articles including Beyond Bradley: A Critique of Comparative Contribution in West Virginia and Proposals for Legislative Reform, published in the Fall 1986 issue of the West Virginia Law Review. He contributed articles to Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States, Oxford University Press, 1992. Jay has also participated in teaching programs for judges, lawyers and other court personnel.
