RALEIGH - Gov. Bev Perdue has appointed James T. Bryan III to the District Court bench for the 15-B Judicial District which covers Orange and Chatham counties.

He will replace Judge Page Vernon, who retired.

"Jay is extremely well-qualified to serve as a District Court judge," Perdue said in a statement. "He is a highly experienced attorney who has practiced extensively in the areas of civil, criminal, and family law. His work in the community demonstrates his commitment to the people of North Carolina, and I am confident he will prove to be an excellent District Court judge."

Bryan has practiced law for 34 years in Orange County. He served for 10 years on the Town of Carrboro Board of Aldermen. He has been on numerous civic and charitable boards, including the Orange County Partnership for Young Children, the Orange County Planning Board, the Leadership Advisory Council for North Carolina, and the Board of Directors for the Orange County United Way. He is also a certified mediator.

Bryan received his law degree from the N.C. Central University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Yale University.