Hammer named general counsel at Auburn University

Article body

Auburn University has selected Jaime Hammer as its new general counsel, following a national search. Her appointment is effective Jan. 8, 2018.

Hammer, a native of Ardmore, Oklahoma, has served in the University of Oklahoma’s Office of Legal Counsel for 10 years, currently as associate general counsel. Prior to joining OU, she worked for national law firms in Dallas and San Diego.

“Jaime has the experience and expertise to move Auburn forward,” said President Steven Leath. “We look forward to her joining our senior administrative team and providing expert legal guidance.”

She succeeds Lee Armstrong, who plans to retire in 2018 following 28 years of service.

“Auburn owes a great deal of gratitude to Lee for his many years of providing expert counsel,” Leath said.

James Pratt, a Birmingham-based attorney and one of three members of the Auburn Board of Trustees who served on the search committee, said Auburn received a substantial number of applications from highly qualified candidates across the country, a signal that the general counsel position at Auburn is one of prestige.

“She is poised and articulate, and her extensive understanding of higher education and associated legal issues will serve Auburn well,” said Pratt.

At Oklahoma, Hammer coordinates and supervises the delivery of legal services on the university’s main campus in Norman, while also steering strategic projects across all campuses. Hammer is regularly involved in complex institutional business negotiations and system-wide policy recommendations. Her areas of expertise include intercollegiate athletics, diversity and employment policies, academic and student affairs, institutional strategic planning and university risk assessment.

“I am honored to serve Auburn University and the State of Alabama as Auburn’s general counsel,” said Hammer. “I look forward to joining Dr. Leath and the Trustees in their progressive vision to support and advance Auburn’s educational, research and business missions. I’m excited to become part of the Auburn family and to be an integral part of Auburn’s future.”

Hammer received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Oklahoma and a Juris Doctor from the Duke University School of Law.

Related Media

Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.