Christian S. Dennie

In his 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. 

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 in more than 30 different sports. 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. 

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.

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 more than 60 cases before judges, juries, administrative panels and arbitrators. 

Christian is a highly regarded arbitrator and mediator. He has served as an arbitrator in more than 630 cases and 125 mediations. He is a panelist for the American Arbitration Association (AAA), International Centre for Dispute Resolution, JAMS, New Era ADR, FAIR Sports, Construction Dispute Resolution Services (CDRS), and DeMars & Associates, Ltd. and also serves on private panels and grievance panels. Christian has been recognized as a Fellow by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and is a Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.

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.