Jeffrey ("Jeff") Sher was born in Melbourne in 1936, and attended Elwood Central, St Kilda Park Primary and Haileybury schools, followed by the University of Melbourne. He did articles with the Commonwealth Crown Solicitors, and worked for former Victorian politician John Don in 1959-60.

Jeff signed the Victorian Bar Roll in 1961 and read with Sydney Frost (later Sir Sydney Frost, Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea).

From the first, Jeff practised in both the civil and criminal jurisdictions, and later became a specialist in defamation, damages as well as indigenous land rights cases. He has acted for clients as diverse as tobacco company Phillip Morris, the former Victorian Police Commissioner Kel Glare and cricketer Shane Warne.

During the early 1970s, Jeff had four readers: Aaron Schwarz, the late Michael J Casey, George A Watkins and Patrick W McCabe.

Jeff was involved in the following Bar committees.

• Council Members of Victorian Bar, formerly Committee of Counsel: 1969/70 - 1975/76; 1977/78 (by-election); 1978/79 (8.5 terms).
• Applications Review Committee - A Standing Committee of the Victorian Bar: - 1977/78, 78/79 (2 terms).
• Bar Fees - A Standing Committee of the Victorian Bar: 1973/74 - 1975/76, 1978/79 (4 terms).
• Ethics - A Standing Committee of the Victorian Bar: 1971/72 - 1975/76 (5 terms).
• Executive Committee of Victorian Bar - an Administrative Committee: 1975/76 (1 term).
• Joint Standing Committee of Vic Bar and Law Institute Fees & Costs: 1972/73 (1 term).
• Overdue Fees - A Standing Committee: 1969/70, 70/71 (2 terms).
• Police Liaison Committee - a Standing Committee of the VBC: 1993/94 (1 term) (Committee in existence for 1 year only).

Married to Diana, Jeff has four children (two sons, two daughters). He continues to be in high demand for his forensic approach and advocacy skills. He was a delegate of Victoria's Ombudsman from 2007-2008.

Jeff Sher QC is regarded as one of the Victorian Bar's "Living Legends".