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Christian Dennie
Associate |
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“Character is doing what’s right when nobody’s looking.”
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Christian Dennie has served clients all across the State of Texas in a variety of legal disputes and negotiations. He has a successful motion and trial practice, which has led to satisfying results for his clients.
Prior to joining Hermes Sargent Bates, Christian worked in the athletics departments at the University of Missouri and the University of Oklahoma where he focused primarily on NCAA compliance and legal issues. He was heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the compliance departments at these institutions and conducted presentations and led education and investigative initiatives involving eligibility, recruiting, amateurism, extra benefits, practice and playing seasons, and several other areas.
During his tenure working in intercollegiate athletics, Christian drafted the University of Oklahoma compliance manual, revised the University of Oklahoma drug testing policy, prepared and started the University of Oklahoma athlete-agent program, drafted the University of Missouri recruiting manual, drafted agreements for the new University of Missouri golf course, successfully prepared and filed NCAA and Big 12 Conference waivers, prepared documents for NCAA certification, and prepared institutional responses to state and NCAA legislation.
Through his practice of law, Christian has kept apprised of the legal issues facing professional and amateur athletics and often publishes and speaks on a wide variety of topics including NCAA legislation, antitrust, labor law, intellectual property, player rights and bargaining, gender equity, torts, and contractual issues. Christian has also taught sports law at the University of Missouri School of Law and is currently teaching sports law at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. Prior to entering law school, Christian was a baseball student-athlete at Sam Houston State University. |
| | | Representative Experience- Defended and obtained a take nothing summary judgment securing the dismissal of inverse condemnation claims under the Fourth, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution and state law private nuisance claims in federal court on behalf of a municipality pertaining to the construction of Dallas Cowboys Stadium and the traffic management plan for events.
- Obtained a take nothing summary judgment in a slip and fall case on behalf of a membership wholesale club chain.
- Successfully represented a state employee in an employment grievance proceeding overturning multiple findings against the employee in an investigation.
- Defended a city and obtained a dismissal of a quo warranto action bought by the city’s former mayor.
- After a two week trial obtained a favorable settlement whereby client received real property in Denton and Dallas counties valued at over $25 million, including a $16 million shopping center.
- Successfully represented municipalities in thirty judge and jury trials.
- Favorably settled a family partnership dispute regarding real property located in Denton and Collin counties valued at $35 million.
- Defended and obtained a take nothing summary judgment on behalf of a seller of real property charged with breach of a development agreement.
- Overturned and favorably settled a DTPA claim brought against a world renowned horse trainer.
- Defended and obtained a take nothing summary judgment on behalf of a seller of real property charged with fraud in a real estate transaction.
- Defended and obtained a dismissal of a slander suit brought by a shareholder’s former medical practice.
- Defended and obtained a take nothing verdict at trial for a client in a breach of contract action involving allegations of failure to perform services in a good and workmanlike manner.
- Obtained a judgment at trial on behalf of a client seeking payment of professional services fees in a breach of contract/suit on sworn account action.
- Obtained a plaintiff’s summary judgment in federal court on behalf of a window and door manufacturer in a breach of contract action.
- Defended and obtained multiple dismissals of products liability actions on behalf of an international water supply line manufacturer.
- Obtained a directed verdict at trial in a premises liability action on behalf of a membership wholesale club chain.
- Obtained a take nothing defense verdict at trial on behalf of a commercial trucking company in a vehicular accident.
- Successfully represented employees in employment grievance proceeding involving separation from the organization.
- Drafted a document retention policy on behalf of a window and door manufacturer in an effort to unify standards at its manufacturing plants.
- Drafted sexual misconduct policies and procedures for religious organizations and a religious-based insurance company.
- Negotiated and drafted agreements for a national advertising campaign for a Texas based advertising firm.
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Published opinion: Residential Dynamics, LLC v. Loveless, 186 S.W.3d 192 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2006, no pet.).
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| | | Bar Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
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All United States District Courts of Texas
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| | | Education
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Sam Houston State University; Member of Sam Houston State University Baseball Team
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Juris Doctor, University of Oklahoma College of Law; Member of the American Indian Law Review
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| | | Publications & Presentations
- Co-Author, “An Update on ESI Preservation and ‘Litigation Holds’ Guidelines,” July 2010.
- Author, “Tebow Drops Back to Pass: Videogames Have Crossed the Line, but Does the Right of Publicity Protect a Student-Athlete’s Likeness When Balanced Against the First Amendment?,” 62 Ark. L. Rev. 645 (2009).
- Presenter, “Sports and the Law: What’s Next?,” University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, April 2009.
- Co-Presenter, “Texas Premises Liability,” Continuing Education for Costco Employees, Oak Brook, Illinois, June 30, 2009
- Author, “There Are No Handshakes Deals in College Coaching Contracts,” 20 Andrews Ent. Indus. Litig. Rep. 2, 2008
- Author, “White Out Full Grant-in-Aid: An Antitrust Action the NCAA Cannot Afford to Lose,” 7 VA SPORTS & ENT. L.J. 97, 2007
- Author, “From Clarett to Mayo: The Antitrust Labor Exemption Argument Continues,” 8 TEX. REV. ENT. & SPORTS L. 63, 2007
- Author, “Is Clarett Correct: A Glance at the Purview of the Antitrust Labor Exemption,” 6 TEX. REV. ENT. & SPORTS L. 1, 2005
- Author, “Native American Mascots and Team Names: Throw Away the Key; The Lanham Act is Locked for Future Trademark Challenges,” 15 SETON HALL J. SPORTS & ENT. L. 197, 2005
- Author, “Amateurism Stifles a Student-Athlete’s Dream,” 12 SPORTS LAW. J. 221, 2005
- Presenter, “Contemporary Legal Issues in Amateur and Professional Sports,” University of Dallas, Dallas, Texas, June 2008
- Presenter, "NCAA High School Review Process," 2007 Big 12 Conference Summer Rules Workshop, Dallas, Texas, June 2007
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Presenter, “Emerging Legal Issues in Amateur Sports,” University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, April 2007
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| | | Memberships
- Greater Denton Sports Commission
- SHSU Letterman’s Association
- Sports Lawyer’s Association
- American Bar Association
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Texas Young Lawyers Association
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| | | Community Service
- Sachse First United Methodist Church, Board of Trustees
- Upward Basketball, Volunteer Referee
- Greater Denton Sports Commission, Scholarship Committee and Member
- University of Missouri School of Law Mock Trial competition, Volunteer Judge
- Salvation Army, Volunteer
- Meals on Wheels, Volunteer
- Billy Ryan High School Summer Varsity Baseball Team, Coach
- Billy Ryan High School Fall Junior Varsity Baseball Team, Coach
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Metro Cobras Baseball Team, Coach
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