Flaherty
CHARLESTON -- Gov. Joe Manchin has appointed Tom Flaherty, founding member of the law firm of Flaherty, Sensabaugh & Bonasso (FS&B), to the West Virginia University Board of Governors.
Flaherty fills the seat left vacant by Stephen Goodwin's resignation in October. The appointment is effective immediately and expires in one year, which is the remainder of Goodwin's four-year term.
"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. "His knowledge and skills are far reaching, and his commitment to the state and this university is outstanding. I know he will serve WVU and the Board of Governors and I am so pleased he has accepted this appointment."
Flaherty received his bachelor's degree in business administration and his law degree from WVU.
Flaherty has served as president, board member and chairman of the West Virginia State Bar and president of the Kanawha County Bar Association. For 15 straight years he has been voted by his peers as "One the Best Lawyers in America," and in 2009, he was chosen as the statewide "Lawyer of the Year." He has represented clients at various levels which include the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, as well as all state and federal courts in West Virginia.
"I am honored that the governor has selected me to this very important role, which will give me the opportunity to further serve my alma mater," Flaherty said in a statement. I am eager to join the fellow BOG members to help continue to move this great university forward."
Flaherty currently serves as chairman of BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Company board of directors. He has previously served two terms on the WVU College of Law Visiting Committee and has been active in various civic charitable organizations. Flaherty is a frequent lecturer for the West Virginia Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission, Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia, West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, National Business Institute, West Virginia Business Summit, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Energy and Mineral Law Foundation and client groups.