Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr PC has tapped E. David Coligado, head of its real estate group, to be the law firm's next CEO.
Coligado will succeed Phil Appenzeller, who has led Dallas-based Munsch Hardt since 2014. The transition will become effective Jan. 1, 2025. Appenzeller plans to return to private practice while Coligado will continue to maintain an active real estate practice even after assuming the CEO role.
As CEO, Coligado will oversee the performance, profitability and financial aspects of Munsch Hardt as well as lead initiatives stemming from the firm’s management and administrative departments.
While Coligado said in an interview he never aspired to become CEO when he joined Munsch Hardt as an associate in 2000, he thinks he's the right person for the job after having risen through the firm's ranks and leading its well-known real estate practice group for the past seven years.
"Having that experience and having the years and knowing the attorneys in our firm and understanding the culture of our firm, it made a lot of sense for me when people asked me about stepping up to this role," Coligado said.
Appenzeller called his CEO stint "the greatest professional accomplishment of my career" but expressed confidence in Coligado, saying in a statement his successor will "bring new, innovative ideas to the table that will further solidify Munsch Hardt’s position as a leading, Texas-based commercial law firm."
Coligado will have big shoes to fill. During Appenzeller's decade as CEO, Munsch Hardt grew from 97 attorneys and revenue of $54 million in 2014 to 154 lawyers and $107.3 million in revenues in 2023, according to Texas Lawbook. In 2022, Munsch Hardt raked in a record $112.9 million.
The firm currently has about 165 lawyers across its offices in Dallas, Houston and Austin and will add seven more in September, Coligado said.
While he hesitated to cite specific numbers, Coligado said he intends to continue Munsch Hardt's growth trajectory and envisions the firm surpassing 200 attorneys during his tenure as CEO. However, he said he also wants to be careful about not growing too fast because he wants to preserve Munsch Hardt's workplace culture.
"I think our growth will have to be thoughtful, intentional and organic," he said.
Within Dallas, Coligado described the legal market as bifurcated and extremely competitive. All of the big, national firms have a presence in one of the most desirable markets in the U.S., and an extensive list of small boutique firms offer specific services. There are are not many middle-market firms, he said.
"There's a sociological theory that once an organization gets over 150 people, it just changes," Coligado said. "My goal would be once we hit 200 attorneys, we still have that same sense of following our guiding principles."
Outside of Dallas, Coligado said Munsch Hardt could look to expand its footprint in other Texas markets. Specifically, he said the firm has interest in opening an office in Fort Worth due to the growth of that city and Tarrant County more broadly. Three of Munsch Hardt's attorneys already work remotely from Tarrant County, but Coligado said the firm needs to have a physical presence in Fort Worth led by local attorneys.
"I can very much see us within the next few years having an official office," he said.
Coligado also said Munsch Hardt continues to have interest in expanding its presence in Central Texas.
In connection with Coligado's transition to the CEO role, William Themer will become the new head of Munsch Hardt’s real estate section on Sept. 1. Themer will also serve on the firm’s operations committee while focusing on client service and development, work flow and project management, as well as recruitment, retention and training of the firm’s real estate attorneys.
Themer joined Munsch Hardt in 2005. His practice incorporates all aspects of real estate development, including the acquisition of raw and previously developed land, financing and construction of new improvements and leasing and property management of the completed projects. He also helps clients with the acquisition and disposition of current real estate projects including assistance during contract negotiations, title, zoning and other due diligence, financing and closing and post-closing aspects of the transaction.