(DALLAS) As the Firm continues on its track of growth and sustainability, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. (Munsch Hardt) is proud to announce its recent promotions of Nolan Knight, Jay Ong and Aryn Self to equity shareholders, as well as Mark Deaton, James Ray and Adam Richie to shareholders. These promotions will go into effect May 1.

With promotions taking place in each of the Firm’s three Texas offices – Austin, Dallas and Houston, the Firm’s Litigation practice saw the most promotions, followed by Real Estate and Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Insolvency. Each of these men and women embody Munsch Hardt’s dedication to the recruitment and retention of diverse team members – an important initiative strengthened by the Firm’s Diversity Committee and Women’s Initiative Group.

“We are particularly proud that this year’s class was diverse and comprised of talented, hardworking attorneys,” said Phil Appenzeller, CEO of Munsch Hardt. Each of these attorneys achieved this much-deserved promotion and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of them. These lawyers represent the next generation of Munsch Hardt and their dedication and commitment remain integral to the Firm’s success and our continued ability to deliver first class legal advice to our clients.”

The Firm’s Newest Equity Shareholders

• Nolan Knight (Dallas)
  Knight is a member of the Firm’s Appellate, Environmental and Litigation practices and serves as Co-Chair for the Firm’s Diversity Committee. Through his environmental practice, Knight counsels clients and litigates civil and administrative disputes under a variety of state and federal laws. As a highly-respected appellate attorney, Knight serves as briefing counsel and presents oral argument throughout Texas state appellate courts and United States appellate courts throughout the country. He also handles a variety of complex, commercial litigation matters on varied substantive issues.
• Jay Ong (Austin)
  A member of the Firm’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Insolvency practice, Ong represents all facets of constituencies in bankruptcy and business reorganization matters, including senior lenders, trustees, debtors, committees, receivers, trade creditors, bond holders and insurers, in addition to commercial defendants. He has served as a Chapter 11 Trustee, receivership counsel, and is a frequent speaker, lecturer and course instructor on restructuring, advocacy, and commercial litigation issues. 
• Aryn Self (Dallas)
  A member of the Firm’s Real Estate practice, Self focuses on all aspects of real estate transactions; real estate finance; and construction, architect and engineering agreements. Her clients include purchasers and sellers in the acquisition of commercial real estate and related title, environmental and land-use matters; developers in all stages of multifamily, retail, mixed-use, condominium office projects; borrowers in connection with debt and equity financing; and clients in the construction industry, such as owners, contractors, architects and engineers.

The Firm’s Newest Shareholders

• Mark Deaton (Houston)
  A member of the Firm’s Litigation practice, Deaton represents both individuals and corporations on a variety of complex commercial litigation issues, including oil and gas litigation, breach of contract, business torts, fraudulent transfer, construction litigation, and product liability. Deaton currently serves as a member of Munsch Hardt's Diversity Committee and is Co-Chair of the Firm’s Summer Associate Program.
• James Ray (Austin)
  A member of both the Environmental Litigation and Intellectual Property Litigation practices, Ray focuses on representing clients in condemnation matters; administrative and regulatory issues at the State and local government level; and the prosecution and defense of disputes involving trademark, patent, and copyright infringement. Additionally, Ray offers significant experience related to the development, licensing, and transfer of intellectual property rights.
• Adam Richie (Austin)
  A member of the Firm’s Construction Litigation Practice, Richie represents owners (public and private), general contractors, subcontractors and design professionals in various complex transactional matters, lawsuits and disputes. He offers significant experience in drafting and negotiating complex design and construction contracts for all types of commercial projects, with a focus on evaluating insurance coverage issues. Richie is also in a select group of construction attorneys in Texas who holds credentials as both a licensed professional engineer and a LEED Accredited Professional (AP).