At Dress for Success and Women of Wardrobe's annual Summer Soiree, generously hosted by Tootises, fashion-forward attendees dressed in pretty pastels, bold patterns and lots of ruffles — many designed by Houston's Hunter Bell, who showed off her fall line alongside jewelry by Claudia Lobao. Chairs Karishma Asrani, Courtney Campo, Allie Danziger and Melissa Sugulas welcomed guests to the event, which toasted the 20th anniversary of Dress for Success, and raised more than $20,000 for the org.
Thrive & Inspire: ‘Results for Clients’ in Oil and Gas Drives Michelman & Robinson’s Varnado
Mar. 6, 2023
WHAT WAS THE highlight of 2022 at your business? That’s easy, launching Michelman & Robinson in Houston was, for me, the absolute high point of 2022 — and that’s in a year that included so many highlights. Without question, being named the firm’s Houston Office Managing Partner is and was a professional milestone that I’m so very proud of. That I’ve already been able to expand the office to 10 of us (and growing) and significantly move the needle in terms of the firm’s reach within the energy space is icing on the cake.
What makes all this even better are the positive results my team and I were able to obtain on behalf of our clients in 2022. This includes a very favorable settlement we negotiated on behalf of EQT Corporation, the nation’s largest natural gas producer, in what turned out to be a very controversial trial in West Virginia in which EQT faced hundreds of millions of dollars in exposure. That case involved a judge who pulled out a handgun from beneath his robe and pointed it at me in his courtroom — an episode covered by People, Vanity Fair, The Daily Beast and CBS and NBC News and which led to his resignation from the bench. Like I said, It was a year full of highlights.
Successful people usually have many choices in what to do professionally? Why did you choose this? I’m a Houstonian through and through, so it’s no surprise that I’ve always been drawn to the oil and gas industry, which in many ways defines our great city. The people and issues that I have the privilege of working with — and on — in the energy space keep me on my toes, always engaged, and excited about each and every day.
We’re fans of the late educator Stephen Covey, who used to say that successful people “begin with the end in the mind.” At your business, what’s the end? What are you striving to accomplish? I want to be known as a preeminent first-chair trial attorney — a go-to lawyer handling the most consequential cases impacting the oil and gas business in Texas and beyond. Truth be told, not many women fit this bill. I’m proud to say that I do, and I’m so grateful to the clients that entrust me with their most important pieces of litigation.
What’s new for 2023 that you’re excited about? New colleagues as my office grows, new cases that I’m handling for amazing clients, and new challenges as I continue to spread my wings here in Houston — it’s all so exciting!
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IS A HEALTHY, balanced real estate market finally here? Per HAR data, the answer is ... kind of? Inventory is at the highest level since 2011, prices are holding steady, and the city and metro area continue to grow in population. Having lost population after Harvey and Covid, the city welcomes significant yet sustainable growth — and a housing market that can handle it.
Modernized older homes on large lots, like this recently sold home at 6266 Cedar Creek, draw buyers.
Family-friendly and boasting a prime location just west of the Galleria, Briargrove is having a moment: The average sales price of a single-family home here during the 12 months ending in July 2024 was $1.23 million — a whopping 20 percent increase over the previous year. Homes are selling faster, too, averaging just 25 days on the market.
Suburban Sprawl
23454 Millbrook Dr. in New Caney is listed for $416K.
With a mix of “affordability, modern amenities and customizable options,” new-construction homes in suburban areas like New Caney, due east of The Woodlands, are in high demand. The Montgomery County community — twice ranked No. 1 by HAR in its quarterly list of Hottest Communities — boasts an average sales price of around $240K, and sold 140 percent more homes during the second quarter of 2024 compared to that of 2023.
Oaks With The Most
Listed for $998K, 1054 Gardenia in Garden Oaks sold in July after just seven days on the market.
Beloved for its Heights-adjacent location and charm, Garden Oaks is movin’ on up ... almost to the million-dollar mark. The average sales price of a single-family home here is more than $925K — and the number of transactions over the past 12 months ending in June increased by around 50 percent compared to the year prior. In neighboring Oak Forest, home prices jumped 20 percent, to an impressive $811K. Meanwhile, in the Heights proper, both sales price and the number of transactions remain relatively flat year-over-year.
Land Down Under?
Brian Spack lists 4934 Dumfries Dr. for $1.3M.
It seems like flood-prone Meyerland has learned a thing or two after all these years — and now it’s the rest of Houston that’s reeling from natural disasters. So while home prices across the city remain relatively flat, those in Meyerland are up 10 percent year-over-year, and houses — like this raised new build complete with a car lift in the garage — are sitting on the market for 25 percent fewer days.
West Side Story
Listed by Kim Perdomo with the Perdomo Group, 290 Knipp was under contract after just five days.
The Memorial area is often thought to primarily consist of the Villages. But go toward and beyond the Beltway and you’ll find scores of tight-knit comunities that make up the Memorial West market area — where home prices are up by 7 percent and days-on-market is down by about the same. It was named HAR’s Hottest Luxury Community of Q1 2024, with transactions up 33.3% year over year.
Explore the real estate report by-the-numbers here or the top real estate trends here.
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TWO OF HOUSTON'S greatest strengths — medicine and the arts — have once again been united in a moving display.
The Health Museum launched its new Healing Arts program to "bridge the gap between the arts and health sectors," and showcase ways in which art can be integrated into health education and practice. Rose Tylinski has been named the museum's Healing Arts Manager, and will spearhead initiatives such as Paint & Process workshops for those interested in blending creativity with psychological and medical insights; and Hearts of Hope, to support those struggling with mental health challenges.
Healing Hands is also new, a space within the museum to display works by community members who are caregivers. Through Feb. 2025, the gallery will feature art that tells stories about what it means to care for others, and the various pathways to healing.
The museum hosted a private opening reception for Healing Hands, attended by gallerists, artists and health advocates including Mathieu JN Baptiste, Carla Bisong and Anson Koshy.
Anson Koshy, Lori Raijman and Nader Adeeb
Ashura Bayya Lovelady
Carla Bisong, Crsytal Baptiste
Anson Koshy, Katie Scott, Mathieu JN Baptiste, Rose Tylinski, Gabriela Magana.
Michelle Vo
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