(DALLAS) Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. (Munsch Hardt) is pleased to announce that Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Insolvency attorney Jay H. Ong has been named Managing Shareholder of the Firm’s Austin office, effective Jan. 1. In this new role, Ong will oversee 17 Austin-based attorneys and staff members, as well as sit on the Firm’s Operations Committee.
“As our Firm continues to grow throughout Texas, the Managing Shareholders in each of our offices are crucial in furthering our short and long-term growth strategies,” said Phil Appenzeller, CEO of Munsch Hardt. “Our Austin office’s well-rounded growth has made it home to most of our Firm’s major practices, including Real Estate, Litigation, Bankruptcy, Construction, Environmental and Intellectual Property. With Jay at the helm, I am confident he will continue to capitalize and build upon the office's great strengths.”
Ong, who joined the Firm nearly 20 years ago, will oversee both business and administrative functions for the Firm's Austin office. As he takes on this new role, his vision and goals for the office include expanding the Firm's engagements arising from San Antonio and West Texas markets, as well as bolstering the office’s corporate and transactional based practices.
“Austin not only is a hub and critical market for established businesses in a broad range of industries and sectors, but the market also ideally represents our unsurpassed commitment to entrepreneurial endeavors and the incredible accomplishments that result from the marriage of hard work with fresh perspectives. Our attorneys are well-experienced in both settings,” stated Ong. "I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to continue growing our presence in central Texas, expanding our range of services, and maximizing our reputation for excellent client service."
Ong, a six-time Texas Rising Stars recipient, focuses his practice on bankruptcy, restructuring and creditors’ rights, as well as corporate finance and commercial litigation. Ong's practice and professional activities include serving as a Chapter 11 Trustee, coaching the University of Texas School of Law to two National Championships as co-head coach of its National Bankruptcy Moot Court competition teams since 2006, perennial service on the planning committee for the law school's Annual Jay L. Westbrook Bankruptcy conference – including serving as presiding officer in 2017, and much more. He is a winner of the Turnaround Management Association's 2017 Turnaround of the Year: Large Company Award, and was recognized by the Global M&A Network at its Turnaround Atlas Awards in 2017 for his contributions to its Chapter 11 Restructuring of the Year. Ong is also a founding member and executive officer of the Larry E. Kelly Bankruptcy Inn of Court, and a frequent speaker and lecturer for the University of Texas, the State Bar of Texas, and other legal and professional organizations.
Ong received his J.D. from Cornell Law School and his Bachelor of Arts, with Honors, from The University of Texas at Austin.