Published: August 06, 2008 09:37 pm      

West Virginia receives bill for suit against Rodriguez

MORGANTOWN (AP) — Lawyers racked up more than $442,400 in billable hours and expenses representing West Virginia University in its successful $4 million lawsuit against former football coach Rich Rodriguez, but they plan to donate at least a quarter of their fees to the school.

The firm of Flaherty, Sensabaugh & Bonasso provided the bulk of the work, reporting nearly 1,389 hours spent on the case and $35,000 in expenses. It billed $332,859, the school announced Wednesday.

WVU spokeswoman Becky Loftstead said school officials and the Board of Governors both believe the fee “is reasonable given the volume of work and the positive outcome.”

“We thank Tom Flaherty and his team for their expert services,” Lofstead said.

A second firm, Fitzsimmons Law Offices, spent more than 468 hours on the lawsuit but plans to donate the resulting $109,577.

“WVU also wants to thank this firm for their expert advice and services and very generous support,” Loftstead said.

WVU’s board sued Rodriguez in December to enforce a clause in his contract that required him to pay the school $4 million if he quit before that contract expired.

Rodriguez had resigned earlier that month to take the coaching job at the University of Michigan. He had a 60-26 record with the Mountaineers over seven seasons, leading them to four Big East championships.

The Marion County native reached a settlement with WVU last month. He agreed to pay the full $4 million while facing a deadline to reveal whether anyone had agreed to pay WVU on his behalf, and after WVU sought testimony from Michigan’s president and athletic director.

His new employer paid $2.5 million of the amount in late July. He will provide the remaining $1.5 million in three annual payments beginning January 2010.

Michigan also covered his legal fees.