The attorney who represented WVU in its legal victory against former Mountaineer football coach Rich Rodriguez is now a member of the university's Board of Governors.

Governor Joe Manchin announced Tuesday that he's appointed Charleston lawyer Tom Flaherty to the position.

Flaherty, a WVU undergrad and law school graduate, will replace Steve Goodwin who resigned last month.

“Tom Flaherty has established himself as a respected professional, and he is willing to give something back to assist in the growth of higher education,” Manchin said in a prepared release.

Flaherty owns a law practice in Charleston. He's been honored a number of times by his peers and he currently serves as chairman of the BrickStreet Insurance board.

Flaherty was WVU's lead attorney when the university sued Rodriguez after he left Morgantown for the head coaching job at Michigan. Flaherty eventually gained a settlement that will have WVU receiving the entire $4 million owed by Rodriguez after violating his contract.

WVU President Jim Clements applauded the governor's decision Tuesday, "Tom Flaherty is a WVU business administration and law school graduate who has had an outstanding career as an attorney and in service to our University and state. He is a very bright and dedicated guy - a great choice. I welcome his involvement on the Board during this very important time of setting a shared vision for the University.

Flaherty's appointment is effective immediately and expires in one year, which is the remainder of Goodwin’s four-year term.