Janet Thoren
Janet Thoren is Legal Counsel for the North Carolina Real Estate Commission, where she oversees the day-to-day operations of the Commission's Regulatory Affairs Division. In this role, she manages licensing, regulation, and consumer outreach for brokers licensed across the state. With nearly three decades of experience in regulatory law, Janet has built a career focused on ensuring ethical and effective oversight in the real estate industry while providing clear guidance to commissioners, licensees, and the public.
Janet began her career as an associate attorney at Coleman, Gledhill & Hargrave, representing clients in real estate, municipal, and litigation matters before joining the North Carolina Real Estate Commission in the late 1990s. Since 2012, she has served as the Commission’s senior legal counsel and director of regulatory affairs, overseeing investigations, administrative prosecutions, civil litigation, and rulemaking initiatives. She has also served as Special Assistant United States Attorney, collaborating with federal and state agencies on mortgage fraud and complex financial investigations. Janet’s leadership has been recognized by her peers, including her presidency of the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials in 2025, and her inclusion in North Carolina Business Magazine’s 2026 “Elite Attorneys” Hall of Fame.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law, Janet is an active member of the North Carolina Bar Association, the North Carolina State Bar, the Wake County Bar Association, and ARELLO. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys living on Lake Gaston, where she spends time boating and reading. Janet’s career reflects a deep commitment to consumer protection, ethical regulation, and public service, balanced with a passion for her community and personal pursuits.
• Attorney
• University of North Carolina at Pembroke- B.S.
• University of North Carolina School of Law- J.D.
• 2026 Legal Elite Hall of Fame
• Chancellor's Scholar
• North Carolina Bar Association
• Wake County Bar Association
• Association of Real Estate Licensing
• North Carolina State Bar
• Association of Real Estate Licensed Law Officials
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my lifelong dedication to this field, my passion for making a difference in my community, and my hard work in advancing my practice, including at the Supreme Court and in federal courts across North Carolina.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you can make a difference in your community—just work hard and stay the course.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to never give up—keep going, keep learning, and stay dedicated. Hard work pays off, as I’ve experienced throughout my career, from being named a North Carolina Business Magazine Elite Attorney for 2026 to being elected to the Hall of Fame.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is balancing the demanding nature of law with time for yourself and others, but it also presents the rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are hard work and dedication—ensuring real estate matters are handled properly—while also making time for myself to enjoy boating, reading, and other personal pursuits.