A $200,000 gift from law firm Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC will help fund a $24 million renovation project at West Virginia University’s College of Law.

The firm employs more than 60 lawyers in three offices around West Virginia, including Charleston, Morgantown and Wheeling. More than 95 percent of the firm’s lawyers are WVU alumni who “take great pride in maintaining a close partnership with the state’s flagship university,” Mike Bonasso, the firm’s managing member said.

“We are very proud to present this gift to WVU and support the College of Law,” Bonasso said. “Our firm has long supported the College of Law, and we look forward to continuing that support. Under Dean Joyce McConnell, the Law School is growing and expanding on its long tradition of educating the next generation of lawyers. The Law School’s mission of providing quality graduates is vital to the state and we are extremely excited to be part of that mission.”

WVU has committed $13 million in capital funds for the College of Law’s renovations with the other half expected to come from private sources. With several other major gifts expected in the next few months, it will allow the College to begin construction this summer, Valerie Hunt, the school’s assistant dean of development, said.

Part of the $24 million will be used for construction of an addition to the College of Law, which will include the Center for Energy and Sustainable Development, a high-tech courtroom, two classrooms, a distance learning classroom and faculty offices. The remainder of the money will be used to renovate the interior of the existing building.

“We are so proud to be a partner with Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC and look forward to how this transformational gift will impact the future of the College of Law and the legal profession,” said McConnell.

Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC is one of West Virginia’s largest litigation law firms. While maintaining the litigation foundation upon which the firm was built, FSB is committed to growth and service expansion in industries as it relates to clients’ needs – whether in health care, oil and gas, coal, commercial transaction, business disputes or regulatory law. Aggressive client representation in every aspect of business and litigation will continue to define the firm.

The gift was made through the WVU Foundation, the private non-profit corporation that generates and provides support for West Virginia University.

—WVU—

2/8/12

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CONTACT: Valerie Hunt, College of Law
304-293-7367