CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
John Hughes considers the establishment of Hughes Watters Askanase more than 30 years ago as one of the most significant highlights of his career. Along with Harry Watters (deceased) and David Askanase, John left an established firm in Houston for the opportunity to create a new firm that balanced professionalism with a commitment to and respect for partners, associates, staff and clients alike.
In addition to serving in a leadership position with Hughes Watters Askanase and supporting many clients over the years, John also held a series of executive positions for other companies. Some of these positions include:
- Chief executive officer of Ruska Instrument Corporation, a well-known manufacturer of specialty pressure measurement and calibration instruments and petroleum laboratory equipment in a highly successful turnaround and sale to a British company, from 1993 to 1996. The company was subsequently acquired by General Electric.
- President of a real estate company that acquired a 22-story office building and six-story garage from three lenders in the late 1980s. The company then built out the interior of half of the building, remodeled the remainder and retrofitted the entire complex to federal standards for sale to the United States government for federal office use (now known as the Mickey Leland Building in downtown Houston).
- President of an agricultural credit company during a loan moratorium, workout period and ultimate liquidation in the late 1980s.
CLIENT EXPERIENCE
John began his legal career in labor law on the management side. As his career developed, he began to work in securities offerings, corporate acquisitions and mergers, corporate reorganizations and workouts. John also gained significant experience in commercial real estate early in his career.
Some of John's experience includes:
- Representation of a purchaser in blocking up property in downtown Houston, including the site of the current Bank of America Building, 801 Travis Tower, Lyric Center Office Building, the Alley Theatre Garage, Houston Ballet's Civic Center Building and the block between the Exxon Building and Chevron Texaco Tower.
- Condominium development (conversion of commercial buildings to lofts; conversion of high rise and mid-rise apartment buildings into condominiums; conversion of garden apartment projects into condominiums; refinancing condominium projects and representation of boards of condominium associations).
- Development work (as both attorney for developers and homebuilders) related to the platting and sale of residential and commercial subdivision tracts and the installation of utility and roadway infrastructure.
- Acquisition of properties for commercial, industrial and residential uses.
- Documenting commercial loans for financial institutions and handling loan workouts.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Bar Association
- Houston Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas
EDUCATION
- Attended Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Washington, D.C.
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Economics, University of Texas
- Bachelor of Law, LLB, University of Texas Law School
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Speaker for past State Bar of Texas and Houston Bar Association Seminars
MILITARY SERVICE
- United States Army, Captain, Judge Advocate General's Corps
AWARDS AND HONORS
- Named a Super Lawyer in real estate by Texas Monthly magazine, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007
COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
John has been involved in many non-profit organizations that have focused on Houston public schools and neighborhood associations. He has served as a past president of the Boulevard Oaks Civic Association (representative of multiple residential subdivisions near Rice University) and of Saint Anne's Catholic Church Parish Council.
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
John enjoys reading, snow skiing, golfing, traveling to learn and gain new experiences, supporting the arts and watching films.
|
