Newsmakers: People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources to recognize Austin attorney and his partner in real estate development

People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources (PODER) has selected Robert Summers, a partner in Austin’s Hohmann, Taube & Summers, and Richard deVarga, an architect and real estate developer, as recipients of the Cesar E. Chavez “Si Se Puede” Award for demonstrating leadership that is changing lives and transforming communities.

Summers (pictured) says he and deVarga are partners in thinkEAST, a 24-acre mixed-used district being developed on property where a tank farm operated in Austin until its closure in the 1990s. He says that he and deVarga purchased the property and are converting it to productive uses, including affordable housing.

“Richard and I are just delighted to be recognized by the East Austin community for helping to fulfill the community’s vision to return the former industrial tank farm to productive uses,” Summers says.

According to Summers, PODER will present the award at a reception and dinner scheduled March 23.

Summers, a 1988 graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, says his practice focuses on complex commercial litigation.

— Mary Alice Robbins

Robbins is an Austin-based freelance writer and a former Texas Lawyer senior reporter.