A balance of chaos and serenity best describes the latest release from Mary Wallis, a Parson’s-educated design prodigy who spent 18 years studying under Master Chinese painting teacher Richard Liddicut (starting at the age of 5!). The Edie chandelier consists of fragments of hand-bevelled glass that are configured onto a brass frame. “I’m interested in reconstructing the broken, and making it more beautiful than it was originally,” Wallis says. “The resulting visual is at once kinetic and serene, like a perched bird about to take flight.” The chandelier is available in custom sizes and finishes. marywallis.com
Lawyers Can Be Cool — Especially Lauren Varnado and Energy Experts at Michelman & Robinson!
May. 31, 2023
Law firms aren’t typically associated with cool, but then again, Michelman & Robinson, LLP is no ordinary law firm. Fact is, M&R is different, special and, yes, cool. Especially the lawyers in its Houston office, which is the hub of the firm’s robust energy practice.
It’s a Gas
Lauren Varnado is M&R’s Houston Office Managing Partner. Having graced the pages of Vanity Fair, Vogue and People, Lauren sets the tone in Houston, not just for the firm’s vibe, but for its efforts in the oil and gas space.
Unlike the work of most other players in the legal marketplace, M&R’s efforts—and that of Lauren and her Houston-based team—are informed by a nuanced understanding of the energy sector. This insight not only allows Lauren and the firm to effectively address clients’ immediate legal concerns, but also enables them to identify broader business issues that can positively impact the bottom lines of the companies they represent.
What’s cool is that they do so as part of a new generation of lawyers—a fearless group that’s disrupting a typically buttoned-up, male-dominated profession and turning the practice of law on its head by leaning into relatability, accessibility and, above all else, humanity—this on top of the fact that M&R Houston knows oil and gas better than just about anyone else.
Differentiators
Some of the adjectives that best describe Lauren and her crew in Houston are modern, candid, practical, influential and whip-smart. Together, they deliver premier client service that truly sets them apart. What else distinguishes M&R Houston from other firms (including those similar in size and reach) are the long-standing relationships it has with clients—relationships founded upon absolute trust and an expectation of excellence that informs the way they operate in courtrooms, at closing tables and beyond.
From Soup to Nuts
Energy isn’t the only industry that M&R attorneys are immersed in. They’re sought after by those in the advertising & digital media, banking & financial services, hospitality, insurance, music & entertainment, retail & apparel and technology spaces, too. M&R offers these clients a full suite of services, including top-tier work in commercial, class action, and cross-border litigation, as well as bankruptcy & restructuring, corporate & securities, cybersecurity & privacy, employment, insurance, intellectual property, real estate and regulatory law. Without fail, they do so in a collaborative way, keeping clients involved throughout every case and transaction, which eliminates surprises and ensures that expectations are met, if not exceeded, time and again.
As Cool as Can Be
M&R’s seven offices (Los Angeles, Irvine, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, New York and, of course, Houston) have been built upon a foundation of exceptional people—women and men of differing backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities and orientations all working toward a common goal: client success. The firm’s focus on diversity and inclusion (it’s been named a “Top 100 Firms for Minority Attorneys”), along with its industry expertise and culture that emphasizes professional development and fun, make M&R a law firm that's the arbiter of cool.
Lauren Varnado manages the Houston office of Michelman & Robinson, LLP. A sought-after, award-winning litigator and head of the firm’s energy practice, Lauren can be contacted at lvardado@mrllp.com or (713) 422-2121.
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Roger Creager Headlines Boot-Scootin' Cattle Baron's Ball — Hats Off to $1.6M for Cancer Research!
Daniel Ortiz, Wilson Parrish and Jacob Power
Sep. 17, 2024
ANNUALLY ONE OF the city's largest and most successful fundraising fetes, this year's Cattle Baron's Ball surpassed expectations, raising $1.6 million for the American Cancer Society.
The 37th annual gala took over the fourth floor of the Hilton-Americas hotel Downtown, where more than 800 guests gathered for the "Neon Lights and Bayou Nights"-themed event. Chairs Robin Klaes, Janette Marx and Stephen Toups, the night was bright, indeed! There were pig races; a wine, whiskey and spirits pull; a hat bar from The Hat Chick; and tons of Texas-themed bites, naturally.
In addition to an exciting raffle — which featured five sweepstakes packages! — the live auction made serious waves. Beck & Masten Buick GMC donated two (two!) 2024 GMC Hummer EVs, and each one went for $130,000.
The funds raised go not only to cancer research, but also to programs dedicated to helping patients and their families navigate the diagnosis and treatment, which is often costly and emotionally draining. For example, Hope Lodge is a place where patients can stay at no cost to them for the duration of treatment. Abbigail Guana has been a resident there since May, and sent a video message emphasizing the importance of access to care. After that, a special paddle raise took place, and names of those who donate $1,000 or more during the event will be commemorated on a special plaque accompanying a custom piece of art by Taft McWhorter.
The evening's musical entertainment was dynamic, with Demola the Violinist welcoming galagoers with electric-violin versions of country hits. And country hitmakers Easton Corbin and Roger Creager got everyone out on the dance floor!
Ben and Maureen Lucas
Tricia Verbois, Jill Watson, Karen Remington
Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman
Brian and Nora Jarrard
Thomas Roberts and Cyndy Garza Roberts
Casidy and Patricia Welch
Tany and Chaz Klaes
Davis Hance and Kittsie Klaes
Steve and Paula Winter, Cyndy Garza Roberts and Thomas Roberts
Easton Corbin
Stephen Toups, Robin Klaes, Easton Corbin and Janette Marx
Jennifer Champion and Kevin Scroggins
Stephanie and Frank Tsuru
Jenny and Matt Todd
Pete and Jana Delongchamps
Joey Delongchamps, Danny Klaes and Michael Deis
Johnny Bravo
Mike and Teresa Cook, Erin and Andrew Kramer
Riggs, Chita Craft and Ron Trevino
Joi Lecznar, Robin Klaes, Dana Miller
Jonathan and Ann Ayres, Valerie and Tracy Dietrich
Marilu Garza and Leila Perrin
Judy Labrasca, Heather Holmes, Mary Stone
Maegan Toups, Carson Joachim
Katie and Seth Tsuru
Landon and Brenna Agabaldon
Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman and Shavonnah Roberts
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Houston Charity, Guitars for Vets Collaborate to Offer Celeb-Autographed Instruments for a Cause
Sep. 19, 2024
SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE Prevention Month, and U.S. military veterans are a population that continues to bear disproportionately higher rates of suicide. Nearly one million veterans are afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and more soldiers have committed suicide since 9/11 than have died in actual battle.
These alarming statistics compelled the Houston nonprofit StellaNova Foundation, whose mission is to provide funding for local organizations that support mental health care, to partner with Guitars for Vets (G4V) as the beneficiary of the charity fundraising event “Operation: Stars, Stripes, and Strings.” The Foundation aims to raise $50,000 during “Operation: Stars, Stripes, and Strings” in support of activating G4V’s Houston chapter.
On Sept. 20, a collection of celebrity-autographed and artist-adorned guitars will be available online to purchase at three different donation levels. The donated instruments include autographed guitars from Alan Jackson, Paul Rodgers, Night Ranger, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds; a BuzzFest guitar signed by Bush, Godsmack, Live, Our Lady Peace and others; six guitars hand-painted with Houston artist Tra’ Slaughter’s interpretations of movie roles played by Houston Dennis Quaid, who autographed all of the guitars; and an acoustic guitar autographed by Latin Grammy winners Banda Los Recoditos.
Donors at other various levels can also purchase works by Houston artists Taft McWhorter, Joni Zavitsanos, and Deasa Turner. You can check out the guitars in person on Sept. 22 from 11-5pm at Christian’s Tailgate, and Sept. 28 at 1pm at Hardy & Nance Studios.
Founded in 2007, G4V provides veterans free in-person and online guitar instruction and a new acoustic guitar and guitar accessory kit through programs run by volunteers in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs health care systems and community-based outpatient clinics. The nonprofit organization operates more than 150 chapters across the nation with the help of over 1,000 volunteers. Thanks to the StellaNova Foundation, Houston veterans will soon benefit from these resources.
“The outpouring of support from the music industry and Houston’s arts community has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Doug Harris, Executive Director of the StellaNova Foundation. “It seems there are no ‘politics’ when it comes to helping our veterans and people have gone out of their way to get us what we need to engage donors.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Dennis Quaid-autographed 'Ronald Reagan' guitar by Tra' Slaughter
Deasa Turner's 'Barbie' guitar
Dennis Quaid-autographed 'Jerry Lee' guitar by Tra' Slaughter
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