Phil

C. Appenzeller, Jr.

Shareholder
Chief Executive Officer
500 N. Akard Street, Suite 4000
Dallas, TX 75201-6605

Overview

Phil is the Chief Executive Officer of Munsch Hardt and serves as a member of the Firm's Board of Directors, as well as the Compensation, Operations and Diversity Committees. He previously served as the Firm’s Chief Operating Officer and Section Head of the Litigation Practice group.

As a litigator, Phil’s practice focuses on large, complex commercial litigation cases involving fiduciaries and creditors against former officers, directors and other professional advisors of failed companies. He also regularly represents clients on a variety of securities litigation matters.

Phil places a great deal of emphasis on client service by being highly responsive and remaining focused on his clients’ business objectives. This approach, coupled with his strategic thinking, has made him an accomplished trial lawyer who has obtained numerous favorable verdicts in sophisticated, multi-million dollar disputes. 

Phil and his wife, Rhonda, live in Dallas and have two sons, Brock and Zack.

Education

Admissions

Achievements

  • D CEO – Dallas 500 (2018-2021, 2024)
  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent®, Peer Review Rated
  • Thomson Reuters – Texas Super Lawyers (2012-2015); Texas Rising Stars (2004-2005)
  • Woodward/White, Inc. – Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – Bankruptcy (2020-2025), Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation (2020-2025)
  • Memberships

    • Evangel University (Board of Trustees Member)
    • Folds of Honor Foundation, DFW Chapter (Board Member)
    • Former United States Army Judge Advocate General Corp Officer (Rank of Captain)
    • Mesquite Independent School District (Former Board of Trustees – President)
    • Texas Bar Foundation (Fellow)

Overview

Phil is the Chief Executive Officer of Munsch Hardt and serves as a member of the Firm's Board of Directors, as well as the Compensation, Operations and Diversity Committees. He previously served as the Firm’s Chief Operating Officer and Section Head of the Litigation Practice group.

As a litigator, Phil’s practice focuses on large, complex commercial litigation cases involving fiduciaries and creditors against former officers, directors and other professional advisors of failed companies. He also regularly represents clients on a variety of securities litigation matters.

Phil places a great deal of emphasis on client service by being highly responsive and remaining focused on his clients’ business objectives. This approach, coupled with his strategic thinking, has made him an accomplished trial lawyer who has obtained numerous favorable verdicts in sophisticated, multi-million dollar disputes. 

Phil and his wife, Rhonda, live in Dallas and have two sons, Brock and Zack.

Experience

  • Breach of Contract

    Obtained a $7.5 MM jury verdict for two student loan servicing companies for breach of a Master Services Agreement and Statements of Work.

  • Plan Administrator Counsel

    Co-Lead Counsel for the Plan Administrator for the failed Texas Rangers Baseball franchise, pursuing claims against the Rangers former owner.

  • Audit Malpractice Litigation

    Represented the liquidating trust of a bankrupt public telecommunications company in an suit against a public company’s officers and directors and its 

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