Goodwin

Deem

CHARLESTON -- Gov. Joe Manchin's General Counsel Carte Goodwin has not yet decided what he is going to do once he leaves the post.

"The timing's just right for me," Goodwin said Jan. 30, the day after his "impending departure" was announced by the governor's office. "It's just the right time for me to take on new challenges. The desire to get back into private practice is strong."

Goodwin plans on leaving near the start of the legislative session on Feb. 11. Jonathan Deem, current deputy general counsel to the governor, will take his place.

While leaving behind nothing but good memories, Goodwin is excited for the next step in his life.

"I will always treasure this time," he said. "I couldn't have had a better experience. The people I've had the opportunity to work with -- it's been tremendous. It's been a wonderful privilege. At the same time, I'm excited about what lies ahead for me."

Leaving his post is something Goodwin had been planning for a while.

"I've been working on this for quite some time," he said. Later, he jokingly added, "It took some of my best lawyer skills to convince them to let me leave."

Before his job as general counsel, Goodwin worked in private practice as his Charleston law firm Goodwin and Goodwin. He also worked on Gov. Joe Manchin's campaign.