John Daniel has been named general counsel and senior vice chancellor of the University of Alabama System, effective Aug. 1, 2025.
Daniel brings to the position more than two decades of distinguished legal experience within the UA System, including 20 years in the UAB Office of Counsel, where he served as chief university counsel.
Since April 2024, he also served as the UA System’s interim general counsel.
“John Daniel’s decades of legal experience in higher education and health care and his unparalleled understanding of the UA System make him uniquely qualified for this role,” said UA System Chancellor Sid J. Trant.
“His steady leadership, thoughtful counsel and long-standing commitment to the UA System’s mission are significant assets that will provide confidence as we navigate a rapidly evolving legal environment for education and health care.”
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As general counsel, Daniel will serve as the chief legal officer for the UA System, providing legal guidance to the Board of Trustees, chancellor, and senior leadership across all UA System institutions and affiliates. He will oversee the Office of Counsel, managing both internal legal staff and external legal partners, and will report directly to Chancellor Trant as a key member of the UA System’s senior leadership team.
“Having spent the majority of my career within the University of Alabama System, I have seen firsthand the transformative impact our universities and health system have on the state and beyond,” said Daniel. “I am honored to continue that work as general counsel and look forward to working with our talented Office of Counsel and leadership across the UA System as we all work to advance our important mission to improve lives through teaching, research and service.”
Daniel has served as UAB’s chief university counsel since 2006, advising university leadership on a broad range of legal issues spanning higher education and health care. Prior to assuming the chief role, he spent two years as a staff attorney in UAB’s Office of Counsel. Before joining UAB, Daniel practiced law at Johnston Barton Proctor & Powell LLP in Birmingham for nine years, three of which he served as a partner. He is a member of both the American Bar Association and the National Association of College and University Attorneys.
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A committed community leader, Daniel is a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, where he has held officer and director roles. He has also served on the boards of the Railroad Park Foundation and Camp Smile-A-Mile.
Daniel earned his Bachelor of Arts from The University of Alabama in 1991 and his Juris Doctor, with honors, from the UA School of Law. He later received his LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law.
“John Daniel has long been a trusted legal advisor within the University of Alabama System, and his judgment, integrity and institutional knowledge make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the UA System’s legal operations,” said Trustee W. Davis Malone III, chair of the Board’s Legal Affairs Committee. “We are pleased to recommend his appointment with great confidence and look forward to his continued counsel and leadership.”
The UA System Board of Trustees will meet later this month to approve the appointment.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
