A familiar face will be taking over as interim dean of the Kansas University School of Law for the next academic year.

Mike Davis, who served as dean from 1980 to 1989, will take over temporarily when Steve McAllister steps down in August, KU officials announced Tuesday.

“It’s a year where we have several major projects that will keep everybody busy,” Davis said. “Our plate’s very full.”

McAllister, who has been dean for five years, announced earlier this year he would step down Aug. 15 to resume full-time teaching duties. David Shulenburger, provost and executive vice chancellor, said a permanent dean should be in place in 2006.

Davis said next year’s busy agenda would include several faculty searches, the dean search and an accreditation visit from the American Bar Assn., which occurs every seven years.

Davis has been on the law faculty since 1971 and served as the university’s general counsel for six years. He also is chairman of the Douglas County Community Foundation.

He served as chairman of the American Bar Assn.’s standards committee from 2002 to 2004 and was chairman of its accreditation committee from 2000 to 2001.

His honors include the Immel Award for Teaching Excellence, which he received in 1991.

“As a former dean, he can step into the administrative duties with little need for a learning curve,” Shulenburger said.

The school has more than 30 faculty members, 540 students and is ranked 33rd among U.S. public law schools by U.S. News & World Report.

“My sense is it’s going very well,” Davis said. “I’ve been there almost 34 years, and we’re as strong now as we ever have been. We have some superb recent hires, a cadre of people with national and international reputations, our student body is very strong, and we have alumni who are both loyal and generous.”