AUSTIN, TEXAS (April 3, 2012) – McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, LLP, announced today C. Morris Davis will be returning to the firm in an of-counsel position. Mr. Davis had previously been with the renowned Texas law firm for 39 years, seven as Managing Partner, before joining Temple-Inland as General Counsel in 2006.
“Morris is a truly deep-water lawyer with extensive knowledge in many areas of the law,” said Bill Bingham, Partner with McGinnis Lochridge. “His understanding of the inner workings of large, publicly-held corporations — particularly in the areas of corporate governance, compliance with securities laws, personnel and finance — will be a significant resource for our clients, at both the local and national level.”
As General Counsel for Temple-Inland, Mr. Davis oversaw all legal aspects of the manufacturing company, which was recently acquired by International Paper for $4.5 billion. Areas under his purview included all transactional, litigation, labor and employment law issues, as well as corporate governance, internal auditing, security and compliance for the company’s domestic and foreign operations.
During his tenure, Mr. Davis also oversaw multiple large transactions for the company, including the $2.3 billion sale of 1.8 million acres of timberland, the spin-offs of Guaranty Bank and Forestar Real Estate Group, the sale of Gaylord Chemical Company to members of the unit’s management team, and the $62 million acquisition of Caraustar’s 50% interest in Premier Boxboard LLC.
“Although I’ve practiced law for 45 years, I tend to be very flexible in what I do, and I’ve been involved in some very unique opportunities,” stated Mr. Davis. “I’m looking forward to bringing these insights and expertise to our clients at McGinnis Lochridge.
“To a large extent, this is a homecoming for me,” Mr. Davis continued. “The attorneys at McGinnis Lochridge are professionals in every sense of the word, holding the highest standards of integrity and service to their clients. Returning to the firm was a natural fit, and new chapter to which I very much look forward.”
Mr. Davis is a member of the State Bar of Texas, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas and the U.S. Court of Claims. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Rice University in 1964 and his LL.B. with honors from The University of Texas at Austin in 1967.