Brian Quinn, vice president for legal affairs and general counsel of Michigan State University.

After a year without a permanent general counsel, Michigan State University on Friday went with what was familiar, naming deputy general counsel Brian Quinn to head a legal department that had been decimated by the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal.

Quinn, who will also hold the title of vice president for legal affairs, had been acting general counsel since Feb. 1, 2019. His responsibilities include contract review, advice regarding state and federal laws as well as educational programs, and supervision of outside legal services and university litigation.

University president Samuel Stanley Jr. said in a statement, "Since I became president I have been impressed by Brian's knowledge and thoughtfulness in providing legal guidance as well as his calm demeanor. Brian breaks down complicated legal situations with ease and consistently operates in the best interest of our community. He is the right person for this role and the university."

Quinn, who was not immediately available for comment, said, "I appreciate President Stanley's confidence in me and am pleased to continue leading the excellent and dedicated team in the office of general counsel."

He joined the university in 2016, leaving nearly 10 years of private practice as a partner at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn law firm in Lansing, Michigan. He previously served as a law clerk for Michigan Supreme Court Justice Michael Cavanagh.

He is a homegrown product, earning his bachelor's degree from Wayne State University and his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. The Nassar scandal broke in the fall of 2017. Among those who lost their jobs In the aftermath were two general counsel and at least one other in-house counsel; the university president, who is facing criminal charges of lying to investigators; and Nassar's direct supervisor, who was dean of the university's College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Robert Noto, who was general counsel during the scandal and whose office was heavily criticized in a federal investigative report, retired under pressure in February 2018, with a $436,000 severance package.

An acting general counsel was named at that time to run the day-to-day university legal business while the school hired former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Young Jr. as special counsel to handle the negotiations and other scandal related issues. Young negotiated the $500 million settlement reached with over 330 victims and oversaw other Nassar related legal actions against several university employees.

When the acting general counsel left under pressure, Young was hired as a permanent replacement in June 2018. After clashing with the acting president, Young was dismissed after only eight months in the job. He was entitled to the full $1.2 million remaining on his three-year contract.

Quinn then served as acting general counsel for the past year while a university sought a permanent replacement.

The university did not immediately respond to a request for Quinn's contract details. His appointment is subject to formal approval by the Board of Trustees during the February meeting.