Marc Mills, former University of Iowa general counsel.

The University of Iowa’s former general counsel has appealed a ruling that found President Sally Mason did not violate his rights when she fired him in 2008.

Marc Mills is asking the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate his legal claims against Mason and other officials. He claims that an independent investigation unfairly blamed him for mishandling a high-profile sexual assault case involving football players, and that he was wrongly terminated as a result.

A judge ruled last month that Mason had the authority to fire Mills because he was an at-will employee who had few job protections.

Mills claims that he was given a five-year contract when he was hired by former President David Skorton. He says that Mason’s public statements criticizing his performance unfairly damaged his reputation.