ABOUT JUDGE BAYLY

Judge Bayly is a proud mother of eleven children, Mema to her beautiful grandchildren, and lives in Monroe County with her three dogs, cat, and a handsome bearded dragon. 

Having grown up in the Capital District, Judge Bayly moved here to attend the University of Rochester in 1992 and fell in love with the Greater Rochester area. She worked for the University after graduation, traveling the US and abroad recruiting undergraduate students. Judge Bayly became a certified foster parent in Monroe County in 1999 and has worked since that time to provide a safe and supportive home environment to children who need a temporary home during times of crisis. 

She has worked to support other families as a foster and adoptive parent trainer, support group leader for parents and family caregivers, and parenting educator. Judge Bayly has organized and traveled to Haiti volunteering in orphanages, schools, and medical clinics, volunteered with Big Brother/Big Sisters, coached and volunteered on the sideline for youth athletics, and continues to sit on the Board of Directors for the local organization Children Awaiting Parents. Simply, Judge Nicole Bayly has devoted her life to the protection and betterment of the children and families in our community.

Judge Bayly returned to school for her juris doctorate degree hoping to gain a better understanding of how the law and local regulations protected children and supported families. She graduated magna cum laude from the University at Buffalo School of Law and began her work in Family Court with the Monroe County Conflict Defender’s Office as an Assistant Conflict Defender, representing parents fighting for their children, victims of domestic violence, and family resources in family court matters. She then worked for several years in the Monroe County Law Department as a Deputy County Attorney. There, she managed and litigated Family Court cases involving allegations of child physical and sexual abuse, child fatalities, child neglect, juvenile delinquency, and unaccompanied refugee minors. 

In 2013, Judge Bayly was elected to the bench as a Town Justice. She continues to serve her community in this capacity and is in her third term as a Justice. She hears criminal, vehicle & traffic, and civil matters that originate in her community, surrounding towns, and villages. In this capacity Judge Bayly has also served as an Acting Rochester City Court Judge.

In 2014, Judge Bayly became the principal law clerk for the Hon. James E. Walsh, Jr. in Monroe County Family Court. She worked tirelessly with Judge Walsh to ensure the cases assigned to his court were handled efficiently, all legal arguments were researched and considered, and the needs of litigants and children were addressed in a thoughtful and consistent manner. She continued her service with Judge Walsh when he was elected to the NYS Supreme Court and worked in a similar capacity on matrimonial matters, guardianship proceedings, felony and misdemeanor criminal matters, and in the Integrated Domestic Violence Court. 

Currently, Judge Bayly works in a full-time capacity as a Court Attorney Referee in Monroe County Family Court. She currently hears and determines matters involving child custody, visitation, paternity, and family offenses.

Judge Bayly wants to be your next Family Court Judge because she knows her personal and professional experience will benefit the children and families who need the Family Court system. She is honored to be your candidate and looks forward to serving our community.