Jay Wilgus

Jay K. Wilgus, J.D., M.D.R., is a highly respected lawyer, mediator, educator, and consultant whose expertise lies at the intersection of law, restorative justice, and higher education conflict resolution. With over two decades of experience, Wilgus has become a nationally recognized figure in student conduct administration and dispute resolution systems design. As the Founder and Principal of Klancy Street, he provides legal and consulting services across the country with a focus on multi-party dispute resolution processes, campus conflict, and sexual misconduct policy reform. Wilgus brings a unique and interdisciplinary background to his practice. He holds a J.D. from the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, where he was a member of the Utah Law Review, and a Master’s in Dispute Resolution (M.D.R.) from the prestigious Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University. He also earned an Honors degree in Communications from the University of Utah, an academic foundation that underpins his strengths in facilitation and collaborative problem-solving. His professional career includes leadership positions at major research institutions. At the University of Michigan, he served as Director of the Office of Student Conflict Resolution, developing innovative approaches to student conduct issues and implementing restorative practices. Prior to that, he worked as Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Utah and was also engaged in private legal and mediation practice. Wilgus is particularly known for his groundbreaking work in the application of restorative justice to cases of student sexual misconduct. His published scholarship explores nuanced approaches to handling campus-based conflicts and student conduct concerns, with an emphasis on community healing, risk assessment, treatment interventions, and dialogue-based solutions. His work is frequently cited by institutions seeking to create inclusive, equitable, and legally sound policies that respond compassionately to all parties involved in student conflict. Beyond his consulting and legal work, Wilgus remains deeply engaged in civic and professional leadership. He is President of the Maine Association of Mediators, Co-Chair of the Braver Angels Alliance of New England (a bipartisan conflict-resolution initiative), and a Group Leader for a community of practice affiliated with the Center for Restorative Justice at the University of San Diego. These roles reflect his commitment to promoting civil discourse, restorative processes, and effective conflict engagement both within and beyond the academy. Licensed to practice law in Utah, Wilgus combines legal acumen with deep insight into human behavior, organizational systems, and educational environments. His work continues to shape national conversations around sexual misconduct response, alternative dispute resolution, and the cultivation of healthy campus cultures.