Women in Real Estate 2019: Michel Gray Rogers’ Lorri Michel: Resolute, Tenacious, Assertive

As managing partner of Austin-based Michel Gray Rogers LLP, Lorri Michel has the reputation as a resolute attorney, who doesn’t believe in backing down. That attitude, along with her tenacity and assertiveness, helped establish a legal precedent, that financing appraisals and purchase prices aren’t discoverable in an equal and uniform challenge to property values. Her understanding of the law, along with her ability to identify solutions for clients in difficult legal situations, has placed Michel as one of the top-rated tax attorneys in Texas. Her in-depth knowledge of property tax law, along with implications for commercial property owners, has led to positive results and tax savings for her clients.

Michel’s client base consists of real estate developers and owners of all asset types, from multifamily properties, to central business office buildings, to landfills, hospitals and hotels. In one case, she defeated the city of Austin’s challenge petition against 19,000 commercial property owners in Travis County, which attempted to increase commercial property values and remove the “equal and uniform” requirement from the Texas Property Tax Code.

Michel’s understanding of the law and willingness to fight on behalf of her clients is just one reason why she received a Connect Media 2019 Women in Real Estate Award, as well as being named among Texas Super Lawyers. Her empathy for homeless pets led her to found and lead Texas Pets Alive! A nonprofit social welfare organization and Texas Pets Alive! PAC.