Announcements

Twelve attorneys at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C., a Texas based law firm with over 100 attorneys and offices in Dallas, Houston and Austin, have been named to the 2010 list of Texas “Rising Stars,” which was published in the April 2010 issue of Texas Monthly.  Andrew S. Brown, Allen Dickey, Leona M. Hammill, James R. Ketchum, Nolan C. Knight, Lynn Chuang Kramer, David Jefrie Mizgala, Jay H. Ong, Davor Rukavina, Aryn S. Self, William D. Themer and Gregory A. Young are among those honored.

Published since 1998, “Rising Stars” recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state of Texas who are 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing law for 10 years or less. Polling, research and selection are performed by Key Professional Media, Inc.

Andrew S. Brown
Andy’s practice focuses on commercial litigation with experience in construction litigation, trade secrets, trademark infringement, employment, breach of contract and business disparagement. His practice involves disputes surrounding the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) and the United States Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Proficient in Spanish, Andy’s practice also involves international litigation and arbitration. Andy has experience with conducting discovery and service of process under the Hague Convention.  He received his Juris Doctor from The University of Texas School of Law and Bachelor of Arts from Colorado College.

Allen Dickey
Allen practices in all aspects of real estate finance, securitization, acquisition, leasing and development. He received his Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and Bachelor of Arts in Economics and History from Southern Methodist University.

Leona M. Hammill
Leona serves as the Associate Liaison of the Management Committee and her practice consists of all phases of acquisition, disposition, development and construction of industrial, retail, hospitality and mixed-use properties.  She received her Juris Doctor from University of Houston Law Center, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Texas at Austin and Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from The Johns Hopkins University.

James R. Ketchum
James advises and counsels real estate developers, owners and investors with respect to all aspects of buying, selling, developing and financing real property including residential subdivisions, shopping centers, pad site development, office/warehouse buildings, medical office buildings, de novo banks and mixed-use development projects. In addition, James also advises and counsels clients regarding physician leases, medical and non-medical equipment leases and equipment service agreements for owners of health care facilities such as hospitals, medical office buildings and surgery centers.  He received his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law and Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University.

Nolan C. Knight
Nolan focuses his practice on advising and counseling clients on compliance with environmental laws and regulations as well as both civil and criminal litigation related to environmental matters.  He received his Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans School of Law and Bachelor of Science, graduating cum laude, from Xavier University of Louisiana.

Lynn Chuang Kramer
Lynn represents clients in bankruptcy, business reorganization and commercial litigation matters. She has confirmed a Chapter 11 liquidating plan, been involved in highly contentious adversaries and participated in the prosecution and defense of preference and fraudulent transfer cases. Prior to joining Munsch Hardt, Lynn worked at a Houston, Texas based firm and served as the law clerk to the Honorable Leif M. Clark, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Texas. During her clerkship, she dealt with both domestic and cross-border insolvency matters.  Lynn received her Juris Doctor from The University of Texas School of Law and Bachelor of Arts from Rice University.

David Jefrie Mizgala
David specializes in complex commercial litigation and all types of appellate matters for a wide range of corporate and individual clients. David maintains dual state and federal court practices with a shared focus on trial and appellate matters. He is regularly in court and has served as lead counsel in numerous trial court and appellate court proceedings.  David received his Juris Doctor, graduating cum laude, from South Texas College of Law and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from State University of New York.

Jay H. Ong
Jay works within the Insolvency, Restructuring & Creditors’ Rights group. He concentrates his practice on bankruptcy, reorganization and creditors' rights as well as corporate finance and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience representing various parties in bankruptcy and large business reorganizations including senior lenders, trustees, debtors, committees, trade creditors, bond holders, insurers and receivers as well as commercial defendants. He is a frequent speaker, lecturer and course instructor on restructuring and commercial litigation issues including for the State Bar of Texas.  Jay has also performed public speaking services on topics of improving public education and persuasive speaking and writing.  He received his Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School and Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, graduating with Honors, from The University of Texas at Austin.

Davor Rukavina
After completing a clerkship for the Honorable Robert L. Jones, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Texas, during which time the court handled numerous complex issues, Davor tried a wide variety of suits and proceedings.  Since joining Munsch Hardt, Davor has represented virtually every type of party in litigation and bankruptcy proceedings across the country including debtors in possession (DIP), Chapter 11 trustees, Chapter 7 trustees, landlords and creditors. He is an Adjunct Professor of Corporate Reorganization Law at Texas Wesleyan School of Law and has litigated a wide variety of commercial and bankruptcy disputes.  Davor received his Juris Doctor, graduating cum laude, from Texas Tech University School of Law and Bachelor of Arts in History from Whitman College.

Aryn S. Self
Aryn represents clients in the areas of real estate acquisition, development, finance and sale on projects for multifamily, retail and multiuse purposes. She also represents clients in the timber and forestry industry, assisting them with acquisitions, sales and timber operations.  Aryn received her Juris Doctor from The University of Texas School of Law and Bachelor of Arts, graduating cum laude, from  Southern Methodist University.

William D. Themer
Will's 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. Will works with issues under the Texas Real Estate Licensing Act and similar regulations as those issues relate to matters such as real estate development, property management and the marketing and subsequent sale of real estate.  He received his Juris Doctor, graduating magna cum laude, from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Planning, graduating summa cum laude, from University of North Texas.

Gregory A. Young
Greg has been in practice for 10 years and works on a variety of transactional matters including formation and governance of corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financing and other private equity transactions, stock and asset purchases and sales, loan transactions on both the borrower and the lender side, purchasing and selling of real estate, negotiating and drafting office and retail leases and general contract law including software licensing. He also represents and counsels emerging growth companies in technology, telecommunications and other industries with regard to matters such as raising capital, entity structure and corporate governance. Greg has significant experience representing Certified Capital Companies (CAPCOs) in Texas, and he also specializes in representing pawnshops including the purchase and sale of pawnshops and pawnshop licenses.  He received his Juris Doctor, graduating cum laude, from Harvard Law School and Bachelors of Arts, graduating with Highest Honors, from The University of Texas at Austin.

Munsch Hardt, a commercial law firm, provides the highest quality legal services and strategic business advice to companies and individuals of all sizes and has done since 1985.  In this video, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer as well as our founders describe our 25 years in the making.  Whether you’re a big business or a growing company seeking cost-effective results — Munsch Hardt is the … Right Firm. Right Now.®  Our practice groups include all aspects of Business Litigation; Corporate & Securities; Energy & Environmental; Finance; Insolvency, Restructuring & Creditors’ Rights; Intellectual Property; Real Estate and Tax. Munsch Hardt is a multispecialty firm where experienced practitioners work together as a team across disciplinary lines to solve legal problems.  For more information, visit munsch.com.