Sandusky, Ohio-based Civista Bancshares Inc.'s senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, James McGookey, is retiring.

McGookey's retirement will take effect Dec. 31.

Lance Morrison, who joined Civista as senior vice president in fall, will assume the position of general counsel for both Civista and unit Civista Bank upon McGookey's retirement, said Dennis Shaffer, president and CEO of Civista, in a press release.

Morrison joins Civista with more than 25 years of law practice, including five years as general counsel in the banking industry and as a judge advocate with the U.S. Naval Academy.