ASU has named José Cárdenas as senior vice president and general counsel.

President Michael Crow made the announcement Thursday. The appointment is subject to approval by the Arizona Board of Regents and will be effective on Jan. 1.

Cárdenas, chair of the Phoenix law firm Lewis and Roca, will serve as the chief legal officer of ASU if approved by the board.

According to Lewis and Roca’s Web site, Cárdenas focuses his practice on commercial litigation and is a partner in the Lewis and Roca’s commercial litigation practice group.

In 2000, Cárdenas received the Ohtli award, given by the Mexican government to U.S. residents of Mexican descent to acknowledge their service to Mexican communities in the U.S.

Cárdenas, a member of the ASU Minority Advisory Council, hosts the Eight/KAET-TV program “Horizonte,” which examines the Hispanic community’s outlook on Arizona issues.

KAET General Manager Greg Giczi said Cárdenas gives the show instant credibility and has a remarkable record as a community leader, according to Horizonte’s Web site.

Cárdenas will take over the position from Paul Ward, who has been chief legal officer of ASU since June 1991. Ward was named vice president for legal affairs, general counsel and secretary to the Board of Trustees at Southern Methodist University in October.