Jeffrey D. Veitch serves as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Administration and is a Visiting Associate Professor of Law at the St. Thomas University College of Law. Associate Dean Veitch is a proven leader in institutional transformation, driving significant improvements in administration, enrollment, discount rate reduction, faculty hiring & development, infrastructure, and academic quality. Dynamic and accomplished administrator and legal educator. Committed to fostering academic rigor, strict ABA and AALS compliance, and strategic growth in legal education.Â
Involved in all phases of the reimagining of the St. Thomas University College of Law, through sound data analysis, instituting procedural best practices and engaging strategic initiatives in curriculum, faculty development and operations in support of the University mission.
Associate Dean Veitch oversaw the dramatic increase in fulltime JD enrollment from 650 in 2023-2024, to 1010 in 2025-2026, with 1150 projected for 2026-2027, while improving incoming student qualifications, ensuring sustained growth without compromising academic standards and becoming the largest fulltime JD enrollment in the State of Florida. During his tenure, the STU Law Bar passage rates have consistently climbed for first time takers, from 59.8% in July 2023, to 83% in July 2024, and 88.3% in July 2025.
A former NCAA ice hockey player, Associate Dean Veitch hails from British Columbia, Canada. With over 25 years of experience in criminal & civil litigation and business management, he has been admitted to the bar in both Pennsylvania and Washington State. Associate Dean Veitch has worked as a prosecuting attorney and in private practice, handling cases in numerous State and Federal jurisdictions. Throughout his career, he has managed several successful law firms as a Managing Partner and/or President, as well as engaging in other entrepreneurial pursuits. He is a graduate of the Capital University Law & Graduate Center in Columbus, Associate Dean Veitch has handled thousands of cases, from DUI to first-degree murder, and has taken more than 100 cases to trial. Notably, he served as first chair defense counsel in the Penn State University Beta Theta Pi fraternity hazing case.
Early in his career, Associate Dean Veitch was recognized as a "Rising Star" by Law & Politics magazine, published by the Thomson/Reuters West publishing company, a distinction reserved for the top 2.5% of attorneys in each state under 40 years old and practicing for 10 years or less. He then consistently received the "Super Lawyer" recognition from the same publication, from 2016 until he closed his practice in 2022, which is reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in each state. Additionally, he has been named to the National Trial Lawyers "Top 100" every year since 2015.
Associate Dean Veitch's areas of expertise include Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Criminal Law, Trial Advocacy and Constitutional Law.
Secondary Interests: Business Law, Law Firm Management, Contracts and Torts.. He previously chaired the Erie County Bar Association-Criminal Division and has regularly contributed as a featured speaker at Continuing Legal Education programs. Additionally, Professor Veitch also previously served as the Director of Athletic Compliance at St. Thomas University.
RECOGNITION "Super Lawyer" Thomson/Reuters West Publishing, Law & Politics magazine; National Trial Lawyers "Top 100" Criminal Defense Attorney; Avvo.com Rated Superb 10/10. "Super Lawyer" Rising Star; Founding Member of Citizens for Judicial Excellence.
MEMBERSHIPS / AFFILIATIONS Past Chair of Erie County Bar Association-Criminal Defense Lawyers Section National Trial Lawyers-Top 100 American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys Pennsylvania and Washington State Bar Associations
