Texas law firm Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr PC has launched a mediation practice with a former firm CEO and litigation practice group leader at the helm.

Phil Appenzeller told Law360 Pulse on Tuesday that the new practice offers a "concierge" service for mediations and arbitrations across the firm's three shops in Austin, Dallas and Houston.

Appenzeller said he had been approached many times by firm attorneys over the years about handling mediations but did not feel he could turn away from the demands of being Munsch Hardt's full-time CEO to devote the time and attention required. In February, he stepped down from the CEO role he held for 11 years.

With that responsibility off his plate, Appenzeller decided to pivot to mediation and arbitration with the full support of firm leadership, he said. To sharpen his skills, Appenzeller completed a mediation course at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies, receiving a certification from the university.

He said that while the mediation process can "go long and ... can be tedious," it can save clients time and money and preserve confidentiality.

Appenzeller said he expects the majority of the cases he receives will come from commercial litigators across the state. He plans to take advantage of his long "history as a commercial litigator focused on high-end, complex commercial cases, including fiduciary litigation, professional litigation, bankruptcy litigation and some international arbitration."

"That's my niche and what my practice has been for over 25 years," Appenzeller said. "I kind of call it Phil 5.0 as far as my career goes. It's going to be a new adventure and I'm excited to face it."

Appenzeller has more than three decades of litigation experience. His practice has centered on large complex commercial litigation involving fiduciaries and creditors against former officers, directors and other professional advisers of defunct companies, the firm said Monday in a statement. Appenzeller also boasts expertise representing clients on a variety of securities litigation matters, the firm said.

David Coligado, the firm's current CEO, said in a statement: "Starting a mediation practice reflects Munsch Hardt's continued evolution in response to market needs for efficient, pragmatic alternatives to traditional litigation."

"Phil's previous leadership experience and decision-making ability allow the firm to offer third-party, private mediations resulting in meaningful, cost-effective solutions to businesses and individuals alike," Coligado said.

Over the years, Appenzeller has been involved in many high-profile matters. He was co-lead counsel for the plan administrator for the Texas Rangers baseball franchise, served as trial counsel for one of the nation's largest student loan servicing centers against a software design company, and represented a commercial real estate developer in an international arbitration against a United Arab Emirates governmental entity, the firm said.

"It's no secret Texas continues to experience significant growth — both from corporations and law firms alike. This continued influx of business has led to an increase in lawsuits filed in Texas courts, which has led to an increased need for new, sophisticated mediation services in the Texas market," Appenzeller said in a statement. "Mediation offers the benefits of allowing the parties to preserve vital business relationships and maintain confidentiality with respect to sensitive information."

Appenzeller has been with Munsch Hardt for nearly 25 years and currently serves as its co-general counsel. In addition to CEO, Appenzeller previously served as the firm's chief operating officer and section head of the litigation practice group, and he was a member of the board of directors, his firm bio shows.

Before joining the firm he practiced for four years with McKool Smith, his only other private law firm experience, his LinkedIn profile shows. Prior to entering private practice, Appenzeller spent three years with the U.S. Army's Judge Advocate General's Corp.

Appenzeller earned his law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and holds a bachelor's degree from Evangel University.

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