“I was born in Saginaw, Mich., but my dad was in the military, so I spent some of my childhood years in Oklahoma, South Carolina and Germany with intervals back in Saginaw in between,” says Chuck Meibeyer, founder of Meibeyer Law Group in St. Helena. “I escaped to California in 1976 and never looked back.”
Before heading west, Meibeyer earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology (after also trying engineering and political science) from the University of Michigan then UC Berkeley’s School of Law. While in law school, “I worked at Morrison & Foerster, a large law firm in San Francisco, where I found I hated litigation.” He joined Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty as an associate in 1983 and later became a partner in the firm. In 1989, Meibeyer started his own firm; he’s just celebrated his 30th anniversary of working as a wine lawyer in Napa Valley.
What got you interested in a legal career?
Between college and law school, I worked with emotionally disturbed adolescents while trying to decide if I wanted to be a lawyer, a psychologist or both. I ultimately chose law, because I love my work with the wine industry and helping people achieve their dreams. But I’ve also mediated hundreds of disputes over the years, combining law and psychology in a very effective way.
Do you have a big family?
My mother had 10 sisters and five brothers, and many of them had families with five or more children. So it’s a huge family. Plus, I’m the oldest of five boys. My parents finally gave up trying to have a daughter. My immediate family includes my wife, Sheri, whom I married on 8-8-08—a very auspicious date. I have three children from a prior marriage, and I have three more children plus four grandchildren through my wife.
What’s your favorite quote?
“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” —John Wooden
Name a favorite movie.
I’ve seen “The Big Chill” about five times. It has a great soundtrack, and the characters also went to the University of Michigan.
Did you have any family rules growing up that seemed unfair?
As the oldest of five boys, I thought all the rules were unfair. I have a whole different perspective now that I’m a parent.
How many different cities have you lived in? Name a favorite.
My wife and I presently have places to stay in both St. Helena and San Francisco—a perfect combination.
What’s something mischievous you’ve done?
I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may tend to incriminate me.
What’s something you’ll never do again?
Skydiving and bungee jumping. I loved the experiences, but I’m older and wiser now.
What’s the secret to a happy marriage?
I’m pursuing that mystery every day.
If you had one extra hour of free time every day, how would you use it?
There’s no doubt I should use it for sleep or exercise. The reality is, I’d very likely spend half an hour with work and half an hour with my wife.
What’s one thing you’d really like to learn how to do?
I’ve always wanted to learn to fly fish, and this question inspires me to try it before the end of 2013.
What do you love to do outside of work?
We lost our 19-year-old, long-haired miniature dachshund, Tucker, last year. We loved to walk many of the side roads and paths in Napa Valley with him—we live in such a beautiful part of the world. But I also love to travel. I’ve never completely settled down after being an army brat.
If you were to be successful in another profession, what would you want to do?
Growing up, my dream was always to be a major league baseball player, but that opportunity’s long gone. These days, because I’ve always loved to travel and do a great job organizing adventures, I’d be a travel guide.
How would you describe the perfect day?
A beautiful fall day in Napa Valley. I would start by leisurely reading the newspaper in the morning with Sheri, move on to a hike in the valley or a drive to the coast, dinner on the deck with friends then catch the last inning of a Giants win.
