(DALLAS AND HOUSTON) – Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. (Munsch Hardt) has welcomed three new members to its growing Corporate practice in Dallas and Houston. Previously with Kane Russell Coleman Logan P.C., Jason T. Barnes (Dallas) and Michael G. Navarro (Houston) have joined Munsch Hardt as Shareholders and Sophie Wen (Dallas) has joined as an Associate.
The three attorneys join Munsch Hardt following several other recent lateral shareholder hires, which include Cameron Asby, Stephen Huschka and Marc Taubenfeld.
“Munsch Hardt has seen a wealth of growth with lateral hires over the past few months, which includes several additions to our Corporate practice,” said Rob Kibby, leader of Munsch Hardt’s Corporate practice. “Jason, Michael and Sophie will strengthen our practice with their combined depth of knowledge, innovation and commitment to client service. I’m excited about the fresh perspectives they will bring to our group and look forward to collaborating as we continue to deliver exceptional results and expand our capabilities across Texas.”
Munsch Hardt’s Corporate attorneys represent dynamic, growing businesses, fund sponsors and others in transactions and operational matters that are critical to their success. Established services include Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity, Technology Contracts and Intellectual Property Licensing, Venture Capital, Corporate Governance and Special Board Committees, Securities Offerings and Capital Raises, Family Office Investments, Joint Ventures, Business Succession Planning, Transactional Tax Planning and Tax Controversies.
“Joining Munsch Hardt alongside esteemed colleagues marks an exciting new chapter in both my and Jason’s careers,” said Navarro. Barnes added, “The Firm has the foundation needed to integrate the diverse experience and international client base we represent, and brings the tax, real estate, immigration and other specializations that are needed for us to expand our private equity, alternative investment, securities compliance and real estate sponsor practices that, for several decades, have retained a centered focus on Texas and Southwest in general. We are confident our collective expertise will contribute to the Firm’s continued success, and we are excited to collaborate with the Firm’s talented team, both attorneys and staff, to drive forward innovative solutions that address complex business and capital challenges facing so many clients across the middle market.”
About Jason Barnes
Throughout his more than two decades of corporate and financial transactional and regulatory experience, Jason has counseled domestic and foreign financial institutions, business development companies, private and public investment funds, investment managers, advisers and principals and individuals in a wide variety of transactions including senior and subordinated debt and equity financings, common and preferred stock offerings, venture capital investments, fund formations, asset securitizations and other alternative investments.
Barnes previously worked with two of the oldest firms in Texas, and as the managing partner and a principal of the leadership team of a group of affiliated professional and registered advisory firms that served to augment the alternative investment and placement functions of family offices, investment advisers, and private fund managers. This work spanned 51 countries, several hundred transactions and fund formations, and included a regular alignment with family offices and individuals to help them design and deploy social impact investments and purely philanthropic strategies that are often discussed but rarely fully realized.
Barnes has, for more than two decades, been a member of the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas, and has worked with dozens of nonprofits both in Texas and nationally that share an emphasis on economic development and growth within their communities.
He earned his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and his B.S. in Economics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
About Michael Navarro
Navarro helps clients navigate the complexities of corporate law when the stakes are high, whether for mergers and acquisitions, equity or debt financing, real estate deals or other commercial transactions.
Navarro’s clients operate across the U.S., and he has been involved in structuring, negotiating, and documenting a wide variety of business transactions across a multitude of industries including technology, healthcare, retail, restaurant, and real estate. Many of his clients are companies expanding into Texas from California and New York, or relocating their corporate headquarters to take advantage of the robust economy and business-friendly environment Texas offers. Many clients engage Navarro to serve in the role of outside general counsel after an initial representation in a specific deal because of his comprehensive understanding of the legal and business issues that companies face in complex transactions. With a background in intellectual property law, Navarro brings additional value to his technology clients when navigating the additional complexities of licensing and other IP matters in corporate transactions.
Navarro’s practice is heavily devoted to equity and debt transactions on behalf of emerging companies as well as representation of angel investors, private equity and venture capital on the investment side. He has a deep understanding of the regulatory issues that arise in corporate mergers and acquisitions and private equity deals, including fund formation and raising money in the capital markets. His corporate practice also includes the formation and ongoing representation of corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, joint ventures and other entities as well as the individual owners of these enterprises.
Armed with extensive experience in real estate transactions, Michael represents clients in a multitude of real estate and real estate-related transactions, including buyers and sellers in the purchase and sale of commercial real estate, owners and developers in commercial real estate projects, landlords and tenants in commercial leasing transactions, and all types of real estate finance.
He earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston and his B.A. from Texas A&M University.
About Sophie Wen
Wen focuses her practice on corporate structuring, securities compliance and mergers and acquisitions, along with assisting non-U.S. companies and investors on transactions in the U.S.
She received her J.D. from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, cum laude, and her B.A. from the University of Toronto.
During law school, Wen served as the Articles Editor of the International Law Review Association and was the Clinic Chief for the SMU Federal Income Tax Clinic.