Biancamano, who has 16 years of experience in higher education law, will be responsible for heading up the university's legal affairs office, which has a staff of seven.

He will serve Ohio University on a part-time basis while the university conducts a search to fill the position permanently. It became open when John Burns retired Jan. 1.

"I look forward to working with John as our interim director of Legal Affairs," McDavis said. "John has a wealth of legal experience, and we are pleased he has accepted our invitation to serve Ohio University in this very important capacity."

Under Ohio law, the state attorney general is the statutory legal adviser to each public university, and university attorneys also carry the title of assistant attorney general. Thus, Biancamano will report jointly to the university president and the attorney general.

Biancamano will continue to work on a part-time basis as senior associate general counsel for Ohio State University, where he has served since 1992. He also has held positions in the offices of the Ohio Attorney General and the Ohio Secretary of State.

"I am pleased to appoint John as an assistant attorney general," Dann said. "I also am encouraged by the efforts of Ohio University, my office and The Ohio State University to work quickly and provide OU with a reliable, professional, legal resource."

Biancamano, 59, is a graduate of Yale University and the University of Notre Dame Law School. He resides in Pickerington, Ohio.

The process to fill the position of general counsel is under way. A 13-person search committee is in place, with Vice President for Finance and Administration Bill Decatur as chair. The committee comprises representatives from all constituent groups, including two students. The university has hired Hudepohl & Associates executive search services to assist with the search.