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As nearly 300 Dallas leaders gathered at 2323 North Field Street just north of downtown on Oct. 10 for the official groundbreaking of Goldman Sachs’ new $500 million, 800,000 square-foot complex, Diane Hornquist sat on the front row just absorbing it all. Hornquist never took the stage but she was critical in the 11-acre North End mixed use development becoming a reality.
Hornquist calls the North End groundbreaking one of the best days in her 25 years at Hunt Realty. “It was a heavy lift for a long time,” she said. “Being a part of Hunt Realty putting a legacy stamp there is a tremendous victory.”
The Lawbook visited with the 2023 DFW Corporate Counsel Award winner about what she looks for in outside counsel and her biggest challenges on the job.
Texas Lawbook: What have been your biggest challenges at Hunt Realty?
Diane Hornquist: We have always been a pretty lean team at HRI, and certainly we are going into 2024. The workload is relentless making it very important to hire the right resources at the right time and cost to leverage the efforts of the internal team.
Lawbook: What are the factors you consider when deciding about hiring outside counsel?
Hornquist: I’m always looking for the perfect expertise to address a matter at the right cost structure. Billing rate is important for sure, but knowing how to work with our business-side folks and knowing the projects we are doing is very important.
Lawbook: What does outside counsel need to know about you?
Hornquist: I value creative solutions, a can-do attitude and attention to detail. When I call, I always appreciate a prompt response, even if the answer is that you don’t have an answer yet. I especially appreciate candor when it comes to recommending or choosing among potential pathways, especially when there is thoughtful consideration given to specific Hunt priorities, which includes respect for individuals, companies, stakeholders, partners and the communities where we have impact.
Click here for the full profile of Diane Hornquist.