The University of Alabama System executive committee approved the appointment of John Daniel as general counsel and senior vice chancellor at an executive committee meeting in September.

Trustee Davis Malone, chair of the legal affairs committee, recommended Daniel and summarized his background: Daniel has more than two decades of legal experience within the UA System and served for roughly 20 years as chief university counsel in the UAB Office of Counsel. Malone told trustees Daniel "has been a long trusted legal adviser to the UA system" and that Daniel had been serving as the system’s interim general counsel since April 24.

"John's judgment and integrity, his unmatched institutional knowledge, and unique understanding of our system make him exceptionally well suited to lead UA system's legal department," Malone said. Malone said the general counsel will serve as chief legal officer for the UA System, provide legal guidance to the board and chancellor, and oversee the Office of Counsel, including both internal legal staff and external legal partners. Malone noted that the general counsel serves at the pleasure of the board and reports administratively to the chancellor.

Trustees thanked members of the search team. One trustee specifically thanked Mike Rock and Sid for their involvement in the search process.

The committee took a voice vote to approve the appointment; the motion was adopted after trustees voiced "aye" and no opposition was recorded.