Thrive & Inspire: ‘Results for Clients’ in Oil and Gas Drives Michelman & Robinson’s Varnado
Mar. 6, 2023
Lauren Varnado, Houston Office Managing Partner at Michelman & Robinson, LLP and sought-after oil and gas lawyer
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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Buddy & Kylie Carruth, Margaret & Jay Magness
A RECORD 486 party animals donned their most boo-tiful and spookiest costumes to celebrate the Houston SPCA’s 100th anniversary at its annual Howl-O-Ween Ball.
Chaired by Zane and Brady Carruth, the evening started with a ghoulish reception that included magicians and fortune tellers in the Equine Rescue Arena that was decorated to look like a haunted mansion — floating candles and ghost dancers included! The horse barn was open for photo ops, and some of the horses wore costumes to partake in the night’s festivities.
Emcee Deborah Duncan welcome the crowd before it was time for a spellbinding three-course dinner as TUTS dancers performed “I Put a Spell on You”. Bone-appetit!
The live auction included a game in the Buzbee Suite at Kyle Field; a night out with Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud; a weekend getaway for at a Galveston beach house; and the opportunity to experience a release of rehabilitated bald eagles.
After dinner, “cocktails, cuddles and cookies” were available in the dog and cat adoption area, where sweet pups and kittens were available for petting and holding. The fab-boo-lous evening raised $1.3 million for those animals in need.
Allison and Jim Bagley
Bill Boyce, Ray Echevarria, Bruce Lundstrom, Scott Davenport
Carl and Cindy Bohannon
Deborah Duncan & Duncan Horner
John and Terry Johnson
Kristen & Mike Kelly
Brady and Zane Carruth
Hannah Barker, Ashley Nguyen
Cathy and Larry Kelley
Chris & Susan Dray
Hershey Grace and Ed McMahon
Ryan & Katherine DeLongchamps
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Buttermilk Baby
WANT TO FEEL like a kid again? Fall into these fun and spooky eats and drinks, win a costume contest, and indulge in seasonal sweets!
Auden
Not Your Nana's Martini at Auden (photo by Jordan Hughes)
Auden is getting into the Halloween spirit with special spooky drinks and an all-day happy hour on Thursday, Oct. 31. The sophisticated Autry Park restaurant will be mixing up enchanting concoctions on Halloween day, such as Vampire Kiss with raspberry liqueur and champagne. Patrons can toast to All Hallows Eve with the Purple People Eater with blue Curacao and white rum, or the Witches Brew, an elixir of pear liqueur and smoked jalapeno tequila. Auden is open Thursday, Oct. 31, from 5pm to 10pm.
Aye Candy
Cocosol cocktail at Aye Candy (photo by George Villa)
This hidden speakeasy is offering a wickedly fun time on Halloween with a costume contest. Judges will vote based on creativity and overall look, awarding $1,000 to the 1st place winner, $500 to 2nd place, and $250 to 3rd place. DJ Jaime Martinez is set to spin spooktacular tunes, while guests can gnosh on Halloween skull and ghost strawberries from Chocolate Dippin. Bewitching beverages for the night include the Panama Spice Carajillo, with choice of whiskey, tequila or rum, then blended with Arroz con Pina, a traditional Panamanian horchata infused with sweet pineapple and cinnamon. The Wonkatini is a dreamy blend of vodka, creme de vanille, Licor 43, chocolate, heavy creamy, Ghirardelli white chocolate, and garnished with a spooky chocolate eye from Mostly Chocolate. Open on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 5pm to 2am. The costume contest is at 10pm.
Brennan's of Houston
Brennan's Witchy Brunch
Ghouls just gotta have fun! Eat, drink, be mischievous, and head to Houston’s iconic Cajun/Creole palace for the Witchy Brunch featuring a three-course meal with favorites like turtle soup and Eggs Brennan (and a complimentary cocktail!). Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 713.522.9711. Available 11am-2pm Friday, October 25, and Sunday, October 27.
Buttermilk Baby
A Halloween ice cream toppings bar awaits: Buttermilk Baby in M-K-T Heights will serve its Carvel soft-serve with a special Halloween-themed pop-up toppings bar on the patio from noon to 6pm Saturday, Oct. 26. Come to lap it up during the beautiful fall weather!
Dandelion Cafe
Coffee at Dandelion (photo by Becca Wright)
Magical things are happening at Dandelion Cafe this Halloween. Now through Oct. 31, the cafe’s three locations will serve two whimsical, lush ube lattes to celebrate the holiday. Guests can choose between the Witches Brew, a purple ube latte with oat milk served hot or cold, or the Spooky Ube, an ube-flavored frozen drink with crushed Oreo cookies and topped with crushed Oreos and whipped cream.
The Cursed Cauldron
Cocktails at Cursed Cauldron
Step into another world where witches rule and magic thrives. On Halloween, guests can compete in a spellbinding costume contest with first place receiving a $250 cash prize for the most impressive/elaborate costume. Prizes will also be given for People’s Choice and Most Magical.
This traveling pop-up is at Aero Cocktail Co. for its second year, bringing enchanted vibes to Houston. Guests will be fully immersed in the experience with specially designed decor and themed drinks such as Freyja’s Cup, a Skyy Blood Orange Vodka cocktail with strawberry, rose, honey, lemon and Fever Tree Ginger Beer, or Old Magick with Redemption Rye Whiskey, black sesame, vanilla and sinnamon smoke. No ghouls need to leave hungry, as Aero Cocktail Co. provides savory bites like Char-Boo-terie Boards, Hocus Pocus Popcorn and Paranormal Pizza. Open through Nov. 2, from Tuesdays-Saturdays, 4pm-12am, and Sundays from 2pm-10pm. “Witches Hour” is 4pm-6pm from Tuesday-Friday with $10 cocktails & 25 percent off food.
Feges BBQ
Halloween Spooktacular at Feges BBQ's Spring Branch location
Houston families can kick off Halloween festivities at Feges BBQ Spring Branch’s annual Halloween Spooktacular on Oct. 26. The BBQ joint will transform into a spooky spectacle complete with “Cupcake’s Haunted House,” a “Dragon’s Nest” play area, themed bounce house, tarot card readings, pumpkin-decorating ($5 per pumpkin) and more, while Hocus Pocus plays on the restaurant’s TVs. Costumes are encouraged, and a costume contest will award best family costume, best costume under 12 years old, and best costume 12 and up. Feges’ classic Texas BBQ menu will be available along with tantalizing drink specials. The event runs from 3pm-6pm. Entry is free.
Holey Moley Mini Golf
Holey Moley cocktails
Those that have the guts to hit the green can have a ghoulish good time at Holey Moley Mini Golf. Now through Nov. 1, the Caddy Shack bar will be serving spooky cocktails to get into the Halloween spirit including The Dead Duck with Tito’s vodka, pineapple, coconut cream, lime and chamoy, Witches Brew with Tito’s vodka, Triple Sec, lemon, sage and egg whites, and Worms of the Dirt with Tito’s vodka, Nutella, coffee liqueur, cream, and Oreos, plus a Spider Juice shooter with Tito’s vodka, apple pucker, honey and lemon.
Also expect live entertainment including magicians and DJs throughout the two-week celebration, and guests who dress up will receive a ‘treat’ from the team of spooky staff. Booking link here.
Montrose Cheese & Wine
Costume contest at Montrose Cheese & Wine
Do our pets like dressing up for Halloween? Apparently so! Goodnight Hospitality's Montrose Cheese and Wine is hosting their third annual dog costume contest throughout October for guests that come by and enjoy an afternoon or evening on the patio with their dressed-up dog(s). The winner will receive a bag of Olympia provisions dog treats for their pup, and a 6 pack of wine for the human!
Mostly Chocolate
Mostly Chocolates
Houston’s premier chocolatier, Mostly Chocolate, has a delectable array of handcrafted artisanal chocolates that exude autumnal flavors and will taste like fall even if our Houston weather is still catching up.
Shop Halloween by checking out the Trick-or-Treat Chocolate Box (4 or 6 pieces, starting at $14.75) for your Halloweenie sweetie, which includes two seasonal flavors of Lingonberry Oatmeal and Pumpkin Pie. There is also an array of savory sweet treats that are frightfully delightful like Celebration Popcorn, Potato Chips, Pretzels and Fritos or the famous chocolate dipped and decorated Oreos and Rice Krispies. All of these Halloween flavors and Mostly Chocolate classics are available in store or online in Build Your Own Boxes (6, 12, 16, 25 or 36 pieces, starting at $21).
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