"Normal wants it easier after some great accomplishment. When you're not normal, you get hungrier."

    

-- Mike Kryzewski

 

                                                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EDUCATION

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Education

University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D., 2004

Sam Houston State University, B.B.A., 2001

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Law Professor Appointments

Texas A&M University School of Law, 2008-Present

Southern Methodist University, 2014-Present

University of Missouri School of Law, 2007

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CONTACT CHRISTIAN DENNIE

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CHRISTIAN DENNIE 

99 TROPHY CLUB DRIVE

TROPHY CLUB, TX 76262

T: 817.430.5876 x 2876

F: 817.430.5801

E: CDENNIE@DENNIEFIRM.COM

W: HTTP://WWW.DENNIEFIRM.COM

W: HTTP://WWW.LEADOFFPROJECT.COM

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CHRISTIAN DENNIE'S EXPERIENCE

 

In his twenty (20) year career, Christian has distinguished himself as a diverse litigation and transactional attorney, advocate for his clients, and business advisor.  Christian has served as a partner at a boutique firm in Fort Worth, Texas and as a partner and co-head of the sports practice group of an AmLaw 100 firm.  Christian was also previously employed by the University of Oklahoma Department of Athletics and the University of Missouri Department of Athletics. In college, Christian was the centerfielder on the Division I baseball team at Sam Houston State University. 

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Christian uses his diverse background and interests to best serve his clients and is especially adept at obtaining successful results in highly contentious and groundbreaking disputes including the following examples: 

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• Cloud v. Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan: After a two-week trial in federal court, Christian's client obtained a "groundbreaking" result awarding back benefits and future disability benefits.  In the written opinion, the presiding federal judge said Christian “displayed a high level of skill” and his “trial presentation was well done” leading to a successful result where “David took on Goliath and prevailed.”  The case was featured in an expose in the Washington Post.

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• Wadley v. University of Iowa: After two (2) years of hard-fought litigation, Christian (and co-counsel) obtained a $4.175 million settlement on behalf of twelve (12) former University of Iowa football athletes who experienced racial discrimination.  The case was covered extensively by the media including ESPN. 

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• Enclave Arlington v. City of Arlington: Suit was filed on constitutional grounds seeking injunctive relief to stop the opening of Cowboys Stadium (now AT&T Stadium).  The federal judge concluded that summary judgment was appropriate to dismiss the case allowing events to occur at the stadium.  The case was affirmed by the Fifth Circuit on appeal.

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His clients include professional and amateur athletes and coaches; sports organizations; leagues and associations; colleges and universities; recruiting services; sports associations; and sports equipment providers. Christian provides advice and guidance through NCAA investigations and compliance matters, drug test appeals and Title IX investigations, as well as contracts, sponsorship agreements and name, image, and likeness agreements, marketing agreements, employment and executive agreements, facilities agreements, and drug test policies. Christian has represented clients and/or arbitrated matters involving badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, cross country, CrossFit, cycling, equestrian, fencing, fishing, football, futsal, golf, gymnastics, hockey, judo, lacrosse, mixed martial arts, quadball, rowing, soccer, softball, skiing and snowboarding, swimming and diving, tennis, taekwondo, track and field, volleyball, ultimate, water polo, and wrestling. Christian has also conducted investigations for fraud, embezzlement, sexual misconduct and sexual harassment, violations of NCAA rules, Title IX violations, alleged improper treatment and harassment of athletes, construction fatalities, human resources and employment matters, and misconduct in secondary private schools and religious organizations. 

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Christian has represented hundreds of athletes and entertainers in a wide array of litigated matters, transactions, and appeals. He is a trusted adviser to coaches and athletes in regard to estate planning and asset protection, branding, and career planning. Additionally, Christian commonly advises professional athletes on the legal aspects of investment opportunities, entity creation, and resolving and litigating disputes including those that gain significant media attention. Christian also often serves as outside general counsel for his clients.

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In addition, he represents a diverse array of nonprofits and businesses ranging from startups to middle-market and Fortune 500 companies in disputes involving labor and employment, intellectual property, real estate, construction, and a variety of other issues, taking an aggressive, yet conscientious approach to litigation at trial and on appeal. Christian has tried 60 cases before judges, juries, administrative panels and arbitrators. 

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Christian is a highly regarded arbitrator and mediator. He has served as an arbitrator in more than 500 cases and 125 mediations. He has served as a panelist for the American Arbitration Association (AAA), International Centre for Dispute Resolution, JAMS, National Arbitration Forum (Forum), United States Council for International Business (USCIB), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Construction Dispute Resolution Services (CDRS), DeMars & Associates, Ltd. and others. Christian has been recognized as a Fellow by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and is a Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.

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Christian is a sought-after commentator, speaker and author. He has had ten (10) law review articles published in law journals at the University of Memphis, University of North Carolina, University of Mississippi, Syracuse University, University of Arkansas, University of Virginia, University of Texas, Seton Hall University and Tulane University. Christian has also published legal commentary in industry publications such as the Texas Bar Journal, Chronicle of Higher Education, Andrews Entertainment Industry Litigation Reporter, Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, and the Sports Litigation Alert. He has also served as a panelist, speaker, or moderator for events at Harvard Law School, Duke Law School, the University of Virginia School of Law, University of North Carolina, Texas A&M School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Sam Houston State University, the Heartland Conference, Lone Star Conference, Big 12 Conference, NCAA, Dallas Bar Association, Tarrant County Bar Association, Houston Bar Association and Austin Bar Association.

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For his work, Christian has been honored as a "top attorney" (or similar designation) by Super Lawyers (as featured in Texas Monthly and Law & Politics Magazine), Fort Worth, Texas Magazine, 360 West Magazine, Corp. Today Magazine, Acquisition International, Expertise, National Diversity Council, and Wealth & Finance International.  

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Bar Admissions

• Texas

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Court Admissions

• U.S. Supreme Court 

• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas

• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

• U.S. District Court, Western District of Oklahoma