After nearly a decade practicing law in a small firm, Jeff Meverden found himself drawn to the classroom. Today, as the Department Chair for the Legal Studies/Paralegal and Digital Court Reporter programs, he brings real-world experience into every course he teaches, bridging theory and practice in a way that resonates with aspiring legal professionals.

Jeff thrives on those pivotal “aha” moments, when students connect what they’ve learned to real-life situations. Whether he’s teaching Business Law or advising student organizations, he encourages learners to fully engage to get the most from their college experience.

Get to know Jeff in our FVTC Faculty Spotlight.

What classes do you teach?

I teach primarily in the Legal Studies area, although I have taught some Digital Court Reporting classes as well: Business Law 1 and 2, Civil Litigation, Legal Aspects of Business Organizations, Civil Litigation, Criminal Procedure, Family Law.

What did you do before you worked at FVTC?

I’m an attorney and was working in private practice. When I graduated from law school, I went to work in a small law firm, and did that until 2002, when I made the switch to FVTC.

Why did you decide to go into teaching?

Somewhere along the line, I was approached to teach Business Law one evening a week, and I did that just as something to do to fill my time and ended up really enjoying it. After almost 10 years in private practice, I was getting a little tired, getting a little burnt out. I enjoyed the law, but I didn’t necessarily enjoy some of the ugliness that goes with it. So I thought this was going to be a good opportunity, and I’ve really enjoyed it.

What do you enjoy most about the classes you teach?

I love the subject matter and I enjoy teaching it. To me, it’s when the students come back and tell me about the situations they experience… once they take the theory of law, put it into practice and see how it works in the real world. That’s what I really get out of it. I enjoy how they get that “aha” moment.

What’s one piece of advice you have for students?

Whether it’s my students or my children, I always say you get out what you put in. So as much effort as you put into it, take advantage of all the opportunities. In addition to being an instructor, I’m also an advisor for a student organization, and I encourage students be part of student organizations. I don’t care what it is. Come to class, do your best, and then get involved in the college. Because whether it’s a classroom or the college as a whole, the more you put in, the more you’re going to get out of it, and the better the experience will be.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received?

The best professional advice that I ever received was to find a mentor, to find someone who is working in an area of law that I enjoy. Partner with them, learn from them, grow with them. That helped me out a lot. Both when I was in the private practice of law, but then I carried that over into teaching and followed a lot of great instructors. I got some great ideas, and I hope that’s made me a better instructor over the course of time.

What’s one thing about you that might surprise your students?

I think what surprises them most often is that I am just a raging introvert. You know, I go into the classroom, and I put the game face on, I bring in the cases and the stories, and then I go home, and I just want quiet. I just want to regroup. People are often surprised by that.

What do you like to do outside of the classroom?

I enjoy hunting, fishing, I love to hike. I do the outdoorsy stuff. What else do I do? I finally broke down this past summer and bought a 1975 Corvette that’s been on my bucket list. So I spent a lot of time driving that this summer. But otherwise I play it pretty low-key with my boys. They are 18 and 14 years old. We’re in karate together, we hunt together.

What was your first job?

My first job was at 12 years old, and it was a paper route. I recently read an article that someone had written about all the skills he had developed as a paper boy… how to talk to adults, how to be responsible, how to be on time, how to budget time, how to budget money, things like that. So that was my very first job.

What was your best job?

Best job is here at FVTC. I really have to say it’s a great environment. I work with some great people. I like seeing the students come in, grow and graduate. This has been my best time.

Lightning Round

Vacation: beach or mountains?
Beach

Winter or summer?
Winter

City or country?
Country

Fiction or nonfiction?
I read both. Right now I’m reading a lot of fiction, so I’ll go with that.

Messy or clean desk?
Theoretically clean desk. I don’t have that right now, but that’s always what I want.

Cat person or dog person?
Dog

Morning person or night owl?
Morning

What’s your go to comfort food?
Chocolate chip cookies

The last TV show you binge watched?
Landman