As 2024 winds down and a new CEO is set to take the helm in the new year, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr PC has announced additional changes to its leadership, including an expansion of its board of directors to include members from all three of the Texas Firm's locations. 

The Firm said Monday in a statement that Houston-based Health Care Shareholder Daniel Sternthal had been elected to fill a new seat on the board, which the Firm expanded to "ensure each of the Firm's Austin, Dallas and Houston offices are represented."

Sternthal told Law360 Pulse in an email Tuesday, "As a newly elected member of Munsch Hardt's board of directors, I hope to contribute by bringing a fresh perspective and collaborative approach to decision-making."

"My focus will be on strengthening the Firm's strategic vision, promoting a culture of inclusion and innovation, advancing our reputation and operational efficiencies, and ensuring we contiue to deliver exceptional service to our clients," Sternthal said. "I'm committed to helping guide the Firm toward sustainable growth while upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism."

Dennis Roossien, a Dallas-based Shareholder who has served as interim Chief Operating Officer since March, has been elected to serve officially in the role. Roossien will oversee the day-to-day business functions of the law firm, while maintaining an active litigation and receivership practice, the Firm said.

Roossien told Law360 Pulse in an email, "To execute Munsch Hardt's team approach, we spread out leadership across our offices and practice groups and promote internal communication among attorneys who serve in leadership roles and who have entrepreneurial discretion."

"To that end, my goal as COO is to shoulder a portion of the CEO's burden, provide operational oversight, facilitate shareholder and staff collaboration, and tailor internal financial reporting," Roossien said.

Earlier this year, the Firm announced that Dallas-based shareholder David Coligado — a 25-year firm veteran — had been chosen to take the CEO reins in the new year from current CEO Phil Appenzeller, who is now taking over as head of lateral recruiting. During his decadelong tenure as CEO, Munsch Hardt has grown its headcount by more than 50%, the Firm said, adding that Appenzeller plans to keep the Firm's growth on track.

Appenzeller told Law360 Pulse in an email Tuesday that his goal as lateral recruitment leader is "to keep building our Firm's practice groups with strategic additions of talent that will enhance the great talent we currently have."

Taking the helm of recruiting for the Firm's eight-week summer associate program is Dallas-based real estate shareholder Julia Beckman. Beckman told Law360 Pulse in an email Tuesday that the summer program "establishes a foundation of young attorneys who begin their careers with us and rise through the ranks of shareholder promotions and other leadership opportunities at the Firm."

"Each year we have an extensive interview process with more than 14 law schools and recruiting programs throughout the country to select our summer associates," Beckman said, noting that the program "brings students that have completed their second year of law school into our Firm for a 'working summer' where they gain hands-on legal experience with direct client contact, as well as the opportunity to be a part of Munsch Hardt's friendly culture."

Beckman said the Firm extends offers for permanent employment to participants at the end of the summer program.

"This process repeats each year, and ensures that we continue to have fresh, young attorneys across our practice groups as the Firm continues to grow," Beckman said.

Coligado said in the Firm's statement, "One of Munsch Hardt's key attributes is the willingness to consistently improve our legal practice and the business of our Firm."

"One of my goals as CEO of Munsch Hardt is to continue working to make it the best midsized, full-service firm in Texas, for attorneys who want to develop and a fulfilling practice," Coligado said. "We will get there by remaining focused on exceeding our clients' expectations and staying true to the Firm's entrepreneurial spirit, team-oriented approach and open-management culture."

The Firm previously announced that Dallas-based shareholder Will Themer will succeed Coligado as head of the Firm's Real Estate practice as he transitions into the role of CEO.

Themer told Law360 Pulse in an email that the practice group "is seen as one of the go-to resources in the Southwest for real estate developers and capital providers."

"My primary goal is to preserve that reputation, not only through the ongoing support of our existing professionals and clients but also through strategic
growth," Themer said. "We are always looking to recruit additional attorneys to the Real Estate practice, but only where those additions fit within our culture and business plan."

While Coligado officially starts his new role in the new year, the Firm said the other management changes are effective immediately.