David Whitcomb

David Whitcomb became the University of Mississippi’s chief legal officer and general counsel in August 2021. In this role, Whitcomb reports to the chancellor and provides the overall management and direction of the university’s legal services, including academic affairs, student affairs, research, and athletics.

Whitcomb has more than 25 years of experience across the corporate, governmental and higher education sectors. Before joining UM, he served as deputy general counsel for the University of Tennessee System, where he oversaw the system’s litigation across all campuses, as well as other controversies involving students, faculty, employees and the general public. He is experienced in constitutional and civil rights matters. Additionally, he has managed matters involving both the public records and privacy laws.

Previously, Whitcomb was a partner with BakerHostetler in Columbus, Ohio, where he was a litigator and employment lawyer and advised clients on public sector issues. He also worked as a trial attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and served as a law clerk for two U.S District Court judges.

Whitcomb is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ohio State University.