James “Jim” Davis, vice president for legal affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. Courtesy photo

There's a new top legal Longhorn on campus.

The University of Texas at Austin announced that it has named James “Jim” Davis vice president for legal affairs, effective Nov. 19. In that role, he will serve as general counsel to the 51,000-plus-student public research university.

Davis has served as deputy attorney general for civil litigation in the state AG's office since January 2015, when then AG-elect Ken Paxton tapped him for the high-ranking leadership role. Prior to joining Paxton's team, Davis spent more than 14 years in the Austin office of Locke Lord, most recently as partner and head of regulatory and administrative litigation.

Davis succeeds Patricia Ohlendorf, who stepped down as VP for legal affairs on Aug. 31 after 20 years in the role, during which she oversaw litigation that culminated in the 2016 U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the university's affirmative-action policy for undergraduate admissions. Ohlendorf will remain as a special assistant to the university through year's end, according to a statement announcing Davis' hire. Chief compliance officer Leo Barnes has served as interim VP and GC since Sept. 1, the statement said.

UT Austin's new top lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment but in the statement said that “most of my life has revolved around the Forty Acres,” the nickname for the UT Austin campus. He moved to Austin at the age of 4, when his father became chair of the university's Radio, Television and Film Department, a position he held for 12 years, the statement said.

“I am excited to come home to serve my university,” Davis said.

Prior to earning his bachelor's degree at UT Austin, Davis served four years in the U.S. Navy as a cryptologic technician officer during the Gulf War, according to the statement. After graduating from Harvard Law School, he was a briefing attorney for Texas Supreme Court Justice Alberto Gonzales.

“Jim Davis is a talented and accomplished public servant and attorney who has spent much of his career supporting his country and state,” UT Austin president Gregory Fenves said in the statement. “I am delighted he will be returning to the Forty Acres to provide leadership and guidance to the university.”

Fenves continued: “Among his many accomplishments, Jim is most proud of being a Texas Ex. He understands the needs and challenges facing the flagship university of Texas and has the vision to help us continue to excel.”