John C. Jeffries Jr.

John C. Jeffries Jr. is David and Mary Harrison Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law, his alma mater. A civil rights and federal courts scholar, Jeffries joined the Virginia Law faculty in 1975 and served as dean from 2001 to 2008. He has co-written casebooks on civil rights, federal courts and criminal law, and has published a variety of articles in those fields. He also wrote a biography of Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr.

Under Jeffries' leadership, Virginia Law saw the creation of its Center for the Study of Race and Law and expanded the Virginia Loan Forgiveness Program, which allows graduates to pursue careers in public interest without the burden of law school debt. Jeffries previously held a variety of academic appointments, including the Arnold H. Leon and Emerson Spies professorships.

Prior to his teaching career, Jeffries clerked for Justice Powell before serving in the United States Army as a second lieutenant. While a student, Jeffries served as editor-in-chief of the Virginia Law Review. He also received the Z Award for the highest academic average and the Woods Prize for the outstanding graduate.