(TEXAS) Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. (Munsch Hardt) is pleased to welcome eight first year associates to the Firm’s Dallas and Houston, Texas offices. This is largest associate class in Munsch Hardt’s history, as well as the Firm’s first all-female class.

“We are delighted to welcome new associates into our offices every fall. Their arrival marks an exciting chapter in our firm's growth, as they bring a level of enthusiasm and drive that this is contagious,” said Phil Appenzeller, CEO of Munsch Hardt. “This year we are particularly proud to have assembled such a talented group of young women, all of whom bring a wealth of experience and academic achievements to the Firm. As they begin to work with clients in the coming weeks, they will undoubtedly contribute to the Munsch Hardt’s ability to provide exceptional legal services at every turn.”

More information on Munsch Hardt’s 2023 associate class is provided below:

Melanie Bates: Real Estate – Dallas

Bates is a member of Munsch Hardt’s Real Estate practice. She earned her Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law, where she graduated cum laude and was a member of the Dean’s List. During law school, Bates served as Technical Editor of the Baylor Law Review and was an officer for the Harvey M. Richey Moot Court Society. She previously was a Summer Associate at Munsch Hardt and served as a judicial extern to The Honorable Alan D Albright. Bates earned her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in political science, journalism and French, where she graduated magna cum laude and was a member of the Honors Program and Dean’s List.

Maddison Craig: Litigation – Dallas

Craig is a member of the Firm’s Litigation practice. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma School of Law, where she was the Executive Articles Editor of the Oklahoma Law Review, a member of the Order of the Coif and Order of the Barristers, and was Director of Problem Writing of the Board of Advocates. She previously was a Summer Associate at Munsch Hardt and was a Legal Advisor to the Chairperson of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). She also served in the U.S. Army as a human intelligence collector. Craig earned her master’s and undergraduate degrees at the University of North Texas.

Lindsey Duff: Real Estate – Houston

Duff is a member of the Firm’s Real Estate practice. She received her Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law, graduating summa cum laude and 7th in her class. While in law school, Duff served as a member of the South Texas Law Review, the Presidential Fellows Program, and the Order of the Lytae. She also received several distinctions, including multiple CALI Excellence for the Future Awards and various scholarships. Prior to joining Munsch Hardt, Duff was a Summer Associate at the firm, a Judicial Intern to the Honorable David Hittner of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and a legislative assistant for the Texas House of Representatives. Duff received her bachelor’s degree in business management from Texas A&M University, graduating magna cum laude.

Emily Means: Litigation – Dallas

Means is a member of Munsch Hardt’s Litigation practice. She received her Juris Doctor from Baylor Law School, where she graduated cum laude with a special distinction in Litigation. While at Baylor Law School, Means received distinctions for her involvement in the Moot Court Competition Team, served as 2L President of the Baylor Law Student Bar Association and was a member of the Order of the Barristers. In addition to serving as a Summer Associate at Munsch Hardt, Means was a legal intern for another law firm and served as a judicial intern to The Honorable Judge Reed O’Connor in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Means received her bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies at the Texas Tech University Honors College, where she graduated summa cum laude.          

Laura Murray: Litigation – Houston

Murray is a member of the Firm’s Litigation practice. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center, graduating magna cum laude. During law school, she received several distinctions, including Order of the Coif, Order of the Barons and the Dean’s List. She also served as Senior Articles Editor of the Houston Law Review. Prior to joining Munsch Hardt, Murray was a Summer Associate at the Firm and other law firms in Houston. Prior to the practice of law, Murray began her career with Wells Fargo, serving in several underwriting roles in the company’s Strategic Capital, Restructuring, and Energy groups. Murray earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University in finance.

Darby O'Grady: Litigation – Dallas

O’Grady is a member of the Firm’s Litigation practice. She received her Juris Doctor from the SMU Dedman School of Law, graduating cum laude. At SMU Law, O’Grady served as both a Staff Editor and Lead Articles Editor of the SMU Law Review. She was also named to the Dean’s List and received the Dean’s Scholarship. Prior to joining Munsch Hardt, O’Grady completed a Summer Law Clerkship at Munsch Hardt and another law firm, and served as Judicial Extern for Federal District Senior Judge Joe Fish of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. She received her bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she graduated magna cum laude. She was a member of the women’s volleyball team and was named to the Dean’s and President’s lists for several semesters.

Nadine Rabah: Corporate – Houston

Rabah is a member of the Firm’s Corporate practice. She received her Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law Houston, where she graduated summa cum laude in the top 5% of her class. During law school, Rabah served in several roles with the Student Bar Association, including President, was Treasurer for Phi Delta Phi honor society, and received several distinctions, including CALI Awards, Presidential Fellows, and the Order of Lytae. Prior to joining Munsch Hardt, she served as a Summer Associate with the Firm and completed a judicial internship for Judge Michael Gomez of the 129th Civil District Court. Rabah received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston in psychology, graduating cum laude.

Georgina Tomalty: Corporate – Houston

Tomalty is a member of the Firm’s Corporate practice. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center, where she graduated with several honors, including the Houston Journal of International Law Best Candidate Award, the David Toomim Endowed Scholarship, and the Dean’s Scholarship. During law school, Tomalty’s involvement included serving as Lead Senior Articles Editor of the Houston Journal of International Law and working as a Research Assistant. Prior to joining Munsch Hardt, Tomalty was a Summer Associate at the Firm, and another firm in the Houston area, and she also completed an externship with the Houston Volunteer Lawyers. She received both her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Political Studies from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada.