Rob Giardinelli
A Night of Justice, Generosity & Philanthropy Raises the Bar Higher Than Ever
By Rob Giardinelli Photography By Chris Caselli
THE SCENE: The Four Seasons Austin was the setting for a night of fun and fundraising to celebrate the best apples of the bunch. Over 400 of the top community leaders, legal professionals, sociables, and philanthropists from around Texas supported the Good Apple Dinner. Benefiting Texas Appleseed, the night featured touching tributes, great food, and show-stopping entertainment, which resulted in a record-breaking night for the organization.
and Biel Pitman
and Dawn Estes
THE VIBE: The cocktail-attired crowd featured an array of elegant business and cocktail ensembles. In the crowd, one could spot dresses in neutral, bold, and metallic colors as well as suits in a rainbow of colors. The result was a warm and welcoming environment for all who attended.
As guests walked down the stairs towards the Four Seasons Austin ballroom, they knew they were in for a very special evening. Revelers kicked off the night by posing for photos on the step-and-repeat to capture moments with friends, loved ones, and colleagues to commemorate the evening.
Partygoers then headed to the area outside the Four Seasons Austin ballroom foyer for a lively cocktail hour. After guests cozied up to the bar to grab their favorite spirit, they mingled with others, many of whom congratulated the evening’s Good Apple Awardee, Travis Torrence, on the well-deserved honor. The cocktail hour was so fun that people spilled out onto the al fresco terrace to enjoy the beautiful weather.
The action then moved to the Four Seasons Austin ballroom for dinner and the main program. The elegant space featured white tablecloths and black linens, complemented by votives and green-and-white floral centerpieces.
As guests enjoyed their delectable, multi-course meals, they were treated to words from event and organization leaders thanking them for being a part of such a memorable evening. The first part of the program concluded by awarding Alston & Bird with the Pro Bono Leadership Award for their support of pro bono legal efforts in Texas over the years. After being given time to chat with tablemates, a quick, highly successful paddle raise led by auctioneer Andrew Bost followed, raising over $170,000 for the organization in under ten minutes.
& Hon. Tom Phillips
The evening was capped off by honoring Travis Torrence, U.S. Head of Legal at Shell USA, Inc. After a warm, gracious introduction by Layne Kruse and Ann Hebert Stephens, Torrence took to the stage. He gave a warm, uplifting speech that brought the crowd to their feet, with a few happy tears mixed in for good measure. After his speech, in honor of both his Louisiana roots and his current home in Houston, The Bayou City Brass Band entered the room, belting out an instrumental version of the iconic jazz classic When the Saints Go Marching In, capping off a night of fundraising that honored the good apples of the world.
THE NON-PROFIT: The 2025 Good Apple Dinner, co-chaired by Aparna Dave, Maine Goodfellow, Cisselon Nichols Hurd, and Bianca Roberson, raised a record-breaking $745,000 for Texas Appleseed. Proceeds from the event will be used to fund programs and provide pro bono counsel in support of the organization’s mission to promote fair, just, and equitable policies for all Texans.
