(AUSTIN) – Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. (Munsch Hardt) is pleased to announce James Ray has been appointed Managing Shareholder of the Firm’s Austin office, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Ray succeeds Jay Ong, who has served in the role since 2019. As Managing Shareholder, Ray will lead the Firm’s business and administrative functions in Austin, overseeing the 11 attorneys and four staff members currently based in the Austin office, as well as sitting on the Firm’s Operations Committee.
“Our Austin office is a growth area and holds great potential for our Firm,” said E. David Coligado, incoming CEO of Munsch Hardt. “During his many years at Munsch Hardt, James has demonstrated his capabilities as a leader, and has shown focused, strategic vision and dedication to both his clients and colleagues. We are confident in how he will guide the office.”
Established in 1996, Munsch Hardt’s Austin office is currently located in the Hartland Plaza building at 1717 West 6th Street. The Firm’s Austin attorneys represent clients on bankruptcy, commercial real estate, construction, environmental, intellectual property and litigation matters. In 2024, the office was named in the Austin Business Journal’s list of the city’s “Top Places to Work”.
“An outstanding group of people call Munsch Hardt home. Jay’s stewardship has not only strengthened our bond as an office, but also to the people, businesses and communities we serve. I am grateful for Jay’s leadership over the past several years. It is an honor to step into the role of Managing Shareholder for Munsch Hardt’s Austin office,” Ray said. “We have seen Austin grow over the past thirty years, but it remains a fantastic place to live and work. I am thrilled to carry the flag for the firm as we continue to deliver exceptional legal services and deepen our ties to Central Texas.”
Ray is a member of the Firm’s Litigation practice where he focuses his practice on real property, intellectual property, commercial and consumer disputes. Ray has successfully litigated multi-million dollar disputes to verdict, including condemnation matters; administrative and regulatory issues at the State and local government levels; the prosecution and defense of disputes involving trademark, patent and copyright infringement; as well as commercial and consumer lending disputes. Ray also represents individuals and entities in the development, licensing and transfer of intellectual property rights, including trademarks, copyrights, and name, image, and likeness (NIL). Before starting his legal career at Munsch Hardt, he worked as both a Field Chemist and Project Manager in the engineering and environmental arenas. Ray has been named to Austin Monthly’s list of the city’s “Top Attorneys” each year since 2022, has been inducted into the Honorable Lee Yeakel Intellectual Property Inn of Court and remains heavily involved in alumni activities with Texas Exes.
He earned his juris doctor from Baylor Law School and his bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin.