Wayland started a general practice of law in Greenwood, Arkansas in 1983. His practice evolved into primarily criminal law, family law, wills and estates. He was elected District Judge in 1990 and remained on the bench through 2012. The judgeship was part time until July 2007. Wayland was part of a defense team that successfully defended 16 Defendants charged with Sedition, Attempted Murder of a Federal Judge and an FBI agent. The 45 day trial was the longest trial ever in the United States District Court of the Western District of Arkansas. He joined Walters, Gaston, Allison & Parker upon his retirement from the bench in January 2013, and primarily focuses on criminal defense, wills, trusts, decedent's estates and estate planning.