Judge Davis received his Bachelor of Arts degree in American Government from the University of Virginia. After working on the staff of U. S. Senator John Warner in Washington, he obtained his law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law. Upon graduation from Law School, Judge Davis served as a Law Clerk to District Judge John A. MacKenzie, in the United States District Court in Norfolk, Virginia. He went on to practice at the Law Firm of McGuire Woods, in Norfolk, Virginia, becoming a partner with a varied civil litigation practice, including a significant maritime practice. Judge Davis later practiced with the Law Firm of Carr and Porter in Portsmouth, Virginia, leaving his partnership there in 2003 to become a Judge of the Portsmouth Circuit Court. Judge Davis served as Chief Judge of the Portsmouth Circuit Court from 2006-2008, when he assumed his current position as a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia. He has served as Chief Judge of the Court since December 4, 2018.