Lawyers Can Be Cool — Especially Lauren Varnado and Energy Experts at Michelman & Robinson!
May. 31, 2023
Lauren Varnado
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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Fall Philanthropy Report: Urban Harvest Farmers Market Helps ‘Transform Food Accessibility’
Oct. 8, 2024
What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.
The Urban Harvest’s Farmers Market Program supports real, fresh food and the hardworking people who grow it. The market is more than just a place to shop, it’s a gathering place where friends and families meet up each at Urban Harvest, kids grow up knowing where their food comes from, and new friendships are forged.
What is your mission? The mission of Urban Harvest is to be a catalyst in transforming food accessibility in Greater Houston. Urban Harvest aims to achieve this by fostering strong partnerships with local farmers and gardeners, operating vibrant Farmers Markets, initiating mobile markets, and providing comprehensive garden education.
What is your vision? Their vision is not just to improve, but to transform the way communities engage with and access fresh, locally sourced food. Through these efforts, Urban Harvest aspires to set a national example, showcasing how innovative community collaboration can lead to sustainable change in food systems across the country.
How have you impacted the community?
In 2023 -
• Urban Harvest Farmers Market brought together over 100 local farmers, ranchers, gardeners and food artisans to sell their products directly to Houstonians
• Urban Harvest Farmers Market hosted over 45,000 shoppers
• Urban Harvest matched $25,000 in Double Up Food Bucks, allowing those who use SNAP/EBT to get $1 in fresh fruits and veggies for each $1 spent, up to $40 daily
• Approximately 45% of Urban Harvest vendors identified as social minorities and Urban Harvest continue to strive to grow the Farmers Market diversity. In addition, 50% of shoppers identify as a BIPOC.
Tell us about your big event. Urban Harvest invites Houstonians to break bread during their 30th Anniversary Sunday Supper hosted at St. John’s School on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024. The evening will be a celebration of local food, culinary excellence and the communities Urban Harvest serves. Thirteen of Houston’s most esteemed chefs will lend their unique talents during a multi-course, family-style meal created in partnership with local ranchers and farmers. Proceeds from this unforgettable farm-to-table experience will benefit the programs of Urban Harvest: Farmers Markets, Community Gardens, Youth Education, Food Access, and Gardening Classes.
What are you most proud of? Every year the small but mighty organization serves over 45,000 farmers market patrons and over 100 small food business; nearly 5,000 students and teachers in socially vulnerable Areas; 3,823 community gardeners preserving over 34 acres of greenspace; over 2,000 Mobile Market customers, 78% of which are in underserved neighborhoods; and educates over 900 individuals who participate in year-round organic gardening classes.
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Fall Philanthropy Report: Easter Seals of Greater Houston ‘Impacts Where People Need Us the Most’
Oct. 8, 2024
What year was your organization launched? Founded in Houston in 1947, as the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center, the organization provided services to individuals with disabilities living in Houston and Harris County. In 1989, the organization changed its name and greatly expanded its services to meet the needs of its clientele. Today as Easter Seals Greater Houston, the organization provides multiple outstanding service programs to children, adults, veterans, and service members with all types of disabilities and their families in Harris and sixteen surrounding counties.
What is your mission? Easter Seals Greater Houston is the only organization in the greater Houston area providing comprehensive services to individuals with all types of disabilities, veterans and their families. We impact where people need us the most – school, work, home, and in the community. Enhancing education, advancing health, expanding employment, and elevating the community.
Why did you launch the organization? Easter Seals was originally launched as the school district location for children with disabilities before the ADA was passed in the 70’s. Once ADA legislation was passed, the agency evolved into life changing services and programs serving babies, children and adults with all types of disabilities and their families, regardless of their ability to pay.
What are you most proud of? Easter Seals’ services focus on improving the physical, educational, cognitive, mental and financial health of our clients so they can live as fully participating members of our community. Even though we are very efficient, with over $.91 of every dollar used for direct client assistance, we have still been able to consistently expand services to fill gaps in services for an underserved population.
How have you impacted the community? Each year, we serve close to 15,000 families in Harris and surrounding counties, most living below poverty simply due to medical bills and caregiving issues; our programs not only address our direct client’s need for therapy, school, camps and more; but those of the family through respite, financial education, mental health services and emergency assistance.
Tell us about your big event. Easter Seals is excited to announce our 14th annual “Walk With Me Houston” Family fun walk on April 12, 2025, at the Houston Zoo presented by Prosperity Bank and attended by over 4,000 donors, sponsors, volunteers and clients. Following the walk, is an after-party with children’s activities, music, food, drinks and more. WalkWithMeHouston.org
How many employees and volunteers work with your organization? 250 and more than 200.
How much have you raised since you launched? In the past 20 years, Easter Seals has grown an average of 7% a year-in spite of economic downturns, government funding cuts and the fact that less than 3% of all charitable giving goes to organizations serving people with disabilities. That growth came through a combination of community support-from government funding, the United Way, individual donors, foundations and corporations so that our babies, children and adults receive the services they desperately need without worrying about the cost or their lack of insurance.
What are your major challenges? In spite of medical advancements and the power of technology to improve the lives of veterans and people with disabilities, the need for our services continues to grow-and with that the challenge of raising the funds necessary to support those expanded services grows.
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