James A. Carley (June 17, 1869 – May 14, 1952) was an American lawyer, educator, and politician.
Carley was born on a farm near Oronoco, Olmsted County, Minnesota.
Carley lived in Plainview, Wabasha County, Minnesota with his wife and family and practiced law in Plainview.
He served on the Plainville Village Council, as the Plainview Village Recorder, and as Mayor of Plainview, Minnesota.
Carley served in the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1909 and 1910.