Phil

C. Appenzeller, Jr.

Shareholder
General Counsel
500 N. Akard Street, Suite 4000
Dallas, TX 75201

Overview

Phil serves as the Firm’s current Co-General Counsel, Lateral Recruiting Shareholder, and leader of the Mediation + Alternative Dispute Resolution practice, where his decision-making ability and history of resolving complex commercial cases ensures a balanced and impartial approach to every case. Phil recently received his certificate of completion from Northwestern University School of Professional Studies Mediation Program.

With more than 30 years of litigation experience, Phil’s practice has historically focused 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.

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

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 (Former 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 serves as the Firm’s current Co-General Counsel, Lateral Recruiting Shareholder, and leader of the Mediation + Alternative Dispute Resolution practice, where his decision-making ability and history of resolving complex commercial cases ensures a balanced and impartial approach to every case. Phil recently received his certificate of completion from Northwestern University School of Professional Studies Mediation Program.

With more than 30 years of litigation experience, Phil’s practice has historically focused 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.

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

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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