Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors Names Two New Partners: Josh Harris in Dallas and Nafiz Cekirge in New York
August 11, 2025 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors has named two high-impact litigators to Partner: Josh Harris in Dallas and Nafiz Cekirge in New York. The promotions reflect the Firm’s accelerating trajectory – expanding client victories, deepening bench strength, and broadening community engagement.
Harris Promoted in Dallas After Breakout Year
In Dallas, Joshua Harris has been named Partner after just 18 months with the Firm.
Since joining in January 2024, Harris has delivered high-impact victories in complex commercial litigation. Harris is an integral part of the Firm’s community impact advocacy affiliate, the Brewer Storefront, and serves as a mentor to students in the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program, an educational and leadership development program that serves students from the urban sector of the Dallas Independent School District.
A former associate at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, Harris holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago and graduated magna cum laude from Morehouse College.
“Josh brings strategic firepower and purpose to everything he does,” says Firm Partner William A. Brewer III. “He’s helping us grow not just as a Firm – but as a force for impact.”
Cekirge Returns as National Litigation Leader
Nafiz Cekirge reenters the Firm as Partner after establishing himself as a coast-to-coast force in financial and white-collar litigation. A former associate in Brewer’s New York office, Cekirge has since led more than 200 mortgage mass actions and complex tort cases in federal and state courts nationwide.
Before returning, he was Principal at Offit Kurman and Partner at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP, managing litigation from New York and Los Angeles. Cekirge earned his J.D. from Cardozo School of Law and his philosophy degree from Columbia University.
“Nafiz is not just exceptional – he’s dynamic,” says Brewer. “He’s back with battle-tested leadership, ready to help drive the Firm’s future.”
A Firm on Offense
The new partners build upon a wave of momentum at Brewer. In April, the Firm raised first-year associate salaries to $300,000.
It’s doubling down on alternative fee models, leveraging technology to serve a growing national and international client base, and exploring office expansion in both New York and Dallas.
This year also marks the 25th anniversaries of the Brewer/NYU International Public Policy Forum and the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program – the Firm’s two cornerstone educational initiatives.
“This Firm is built on advocacy – whether in court, in classrooms, or in communities,” says Brewer. “We’re constantly trying to leverage our advocacy and professional commitment into greater outcomes.”
Brewer Foundation President Joins Northwestern University Counselor Advisory Board
June 17, 2025 — Brewer Foundation President Ian Shaw has been selected to join the Northwestern University Counselor Advisory Board (CAB), an initiative focused on supporting underrepresented student populations and guiding them through the college admissions process.
Hosted by Northwestern’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions, CAB partners with high school counselors and college-access advocates to increase higher education opportunities for students facing systemic barriers. As a member of the program’s second cohort, Shaw will participate in a two-day program on Northwestern’s Evanston campus next spring, where he will collaborate with admissions staff and campus leaders.
In his role at the Brewer Foundation, Shaw oversees the Future Leaders Program (FLP), an academic and leadership development program serving more than 200 students, ages 12 to 18, from urban communities within the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). The FLP provides year-round academic instruction, leadership training, and cultural enrichment to prepare its “future leaders” for success in college and beyond.
Currently, two FLP alumni from the Class of 2023—undergraduates Erica Salazar and Raul Lopez—are enrolled at Northwestern. They will be joined this fall by Lizbeth Ojeda, a 2025 FLP graduate.
“I’m excited to deepen the Brewer Foundation’s partnership with Northwestern University,” Shaw said. “Our commitment to expanding college access for FLP students advances the mission of Northwestern’s CAB initiative. One of the most rewarding aspects of the FLP experience is seeing our graduates go on to attend great universities such as Northwestern and realize their higher education aspirations.”
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors Raises First-Year Associate Salaries to $300,000
April 28, 2025…Dallas, TX – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors today announced that, effective September 1, 2025, it will increase first-year associate salaries to $300,000.
Coinciding with the integration of cutting-edge legal technologies and a focus on outcomes over hours, the increase in first-year associate salaries reflects a commitment to delivering results in a rapidly changing world.
Rewarding talent, not tenure, the firm continues to offer an aggressive partnership track. Associates are eligible for promotion to partner after five years.
“Our firm strives to stay ahead of the curve – in terms of compensation, advocacy, and skills,” said founding partner William A. Brewer III. “Our aim is to recruit the best and brightest and give them the opportunity to work on precedent-setting matters. The bigger the stage, the better.”
Brewer offers a multidisciplinary advocacy model in commercial litigation. The firm unites professionals from a range of disciplines – financial, economic, and management consultants; researchers and private investigators; and communications specialists – who work with the firm’s lawyers to develop insights, drive strategy, and win cases.
Since its founding in 1984, Brewer has consistently led the market on compensation, surpassing the salary scales at large firms. The salary announcement follows another successful year for the firm and reaffirms its commitment to the Art of Advocacy and the clients and communities it serves.
About Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors
Founded in 1984, Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, has earned a reputation as one of the most successful law firms in the United States practicing exclusively in the field of complex commercial litigation and dispute resolution. With offices in New York and Dallas, Texas, the firm represents a wide spectrum of industry leaders – from entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 corporations – facing the most challenging of legal issues. Visit Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors at www.brewerattorneys.com.
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors Launches Office Search for New Dallas Headquarters
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors Launches Office Search for New Dallas Headquarters
April 25, 2025 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, the Dallas-based litigation firm known for zealous advocacy in high-stakes litigation, is launching a strategic office search to support the firm’s expansion.
The firm’s community impact affiliate, the Brewer Storefront, as well as its charitable foundation, the Brewer Foundation, will also relocate as part of this transition, enabling expanded engagement across Texas and throughout the United States.
The move follows more than 30 years of the firm’s office base at the Comerica Bank Tower in Downtown Dallas – a location that provided a bedrock for success and a strong foundation for growth. Looking ahead, the firm sees the future of Dallas beyond the downtown core and is broadening the search to include the entire Metroplex.
The firm will consider locations in the corridor east of downtown, Knox-Henderson, and South Dallas, where the firm sees potential to partner on office development projects.
“This announcement reflects our long-term commitment to the Dallas community – not just as legal advocates, but as neighbors, partners, and stakeholders in the future of Dallas and Texas," said William A. Brewer III, the firm’s founding partner.
The firm anticipates relocating from the Comerica Bank Tower in 2026. Colliers brokers Travis Ewert and Billy Vahrenkamp are advising on the search.
Brewer Foundation Announces Attorney and Community Advocate Ian Shaw as President
February 24, 2025 – The Brewer Foundation today announced attorney and community advocate Ian Shaw as its president. Mr. Shaw will have oversight of all aspects of the 501(c)3 Brewer Foundation, the charitable affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. Mr. Shaw was most recently with Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C, where he practiced commercial litigation, labor employment, and personal injury defense.
Today’s announcement marks Mr. Shaw's return to the Brewer team. He previously worked in the consulting group in the firm’s New York office and was an associate in the firm’s Dallas office.
“Ian is a committed community advocate and trusted leader – with a background in team leadership, public service, and educational issues,” says William A. Brewer III, chairman of the Brewer Foundation. “His role as president of the Brewer Foundation represents the growth of the Foundation and its programs, and the need to invest more in managing them for the future.”
Founded in 1995, the Brewer Foundation supports a range of community initiatives, with a special emphasis on developing, overseeing, and funding a growing array of educational programs. Among these are the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) and Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF).
The FLP is an academic and leadership development program that benefits more than 200 students, ages 12 to 18, from urban communities within the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). Through year-round academic courses, leadership training, and exposure to a wide array of cultural programs, the FLP helps prepare its “future leaders” for success in college and beyond.
Since its inception in 2001, the FLP has graduated hundreds of students, many of whom have gone on to be first-or second-generation college students. FLP graduates have earned more than $20 million in scholarship offers. Seven FLP students have been named QuestBridge Scholars, and three have been named Gates Scholars – some of the nation’s most prestigious scholarships. The program has been recognized by the Texas State Board of Education and the Texas Governor’s Office.
“I am excited to join the Brewer Foundation and help build the FLP’s blueprint for the future,” Shaw says. “We are eager to explore new partnerships, continually improve our academic offerings, and help these students realize their visions for success. The program is a testament to the power of education and the belief that every student deserves equal opportunity.”
The IPPF is the only competition that gives high school students around the globe the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. Thousands of students participate each year. During the 2024-25 competition, 283 teams representing schools in 26 countries and 30 U.S. states submitted qualifying round essays affirming or negating the contest topic. Now in its 24th year, the IPPF will host the “IPPF Finals” in May at the Harold Pratt House in New York City.
Over its history, the Foundation has contributed more than $25 million to more than 60 charities in areas such as medicine, the arts, and human rights. All the firm’s professionals are given the opportunity to support the Foundation – and its impact on future generations.
Mr. Shaw will also contribute to the Brewer Storefront, the firm’s community service legal affiliate. Founded in 1995, the Storefront tackles local and national issues, providing legal assistance to a wide range of individuals, businesses, and community entities in need. The Storefront is currently handling several Voting Rights Act cases in North Texas – advocating for voting equality and giving a voice to minority communities.
Outside of his professional duties with the Brewer Foundation and Storefront, Mr. Shaw is a member of the Dallas Bar Association of Young Lawyers, JL Turner Association, Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Council. He is currently in the middle of a term with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, as appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Firm Partner Sarah Rogers Nominated for State Department Position
February 12, 2025 — Brewer Partner Sarah Rogers has been nominated for the position of Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs of United States in the U.S. State Department.
This important position leads America's public diplomacy outreach, which includes messaging to counter terrorism, support the achievement of U.S. foreign policy goals and strengthen our nation's global relationships. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Rogers will also deal with critical free-speech and censorship issues at home and abroad.
Reporting on the nomination, the publication Semafor wrote, "A partner at the New York litigation boutique Brewer, Rogers represented the National Rifle Association alongside the ACLU in a winning appeal to the Supreme Court last March. She also represented the NRA against the New York State Attorney General, who was seeking to dissolve the organization, which the NRA beat back on First Amendment grounds."
The firm congratulates Rogers on her potential future role under U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Pressure is a Privilege: A Look Back at 2024
December 31, 2024 — Built with the conviction that “pressure is a privilege,” Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors faced significant challenges in 2024 and delivered outstanding results in courtrooms, boardrooms, and the communities we proudly serve.
Achievements for Our Clients: This year, we successfully concluded our multi-year defense of a major client against multiple attempts by the New York Attorney General to "eliminate" that client. For that same client we achieved a unanimous 9-0 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, which vacated a ruling by the Second Circuit that dismissed First Amendment claims against a public official who conspired with others to financially destroy our client. And - along the way - our high-stakes advocacy nationwide also resulted in over $200 million in awards and settlements for our other commercial clients.
Contributions to Our Community: The Brewer Storefront, our community impact legal affiliate, achieved significant victories. We successfully represented a senior citizen who was the victim of an elaborate financial scam. We pursued several cases to protect voting rights against school board voting schemes that diluted the votes of citizens of color throughout Texas, and we initiated a comprehensive statewide effort to ensure that Texas school boards operate in compliance with the Voting Rights Act.
Strengthening Partnerships: Showcasing the continued strength of the Brewer Foundation’s partnership with New York University, the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) began its 24th year of inviting high school students around the world to engage in written and oral debates on public policy issues. The 2025 competition is ongoing and involves more than 300 high schools and thousands of students globally.
Fostering the Next Generation: In 2024, the Brewer Foundation’s Future Leaders Program provided essential leadership and academic development to more than 200 students from the Dallas Independent School District. The Future Leaders Program equips the next generation with the tools to flourish in an everchanging world.
A Commitment to the Challenges of Tomorrow: Emerging technologies and innovative tools will empower our professionals to achieve even greater levels of efficiency as we continue to deliver superior outcomes for our clients. In line with our commitment to remaining at the forefront of these advancements, we are excited to announce the launch of many new projects including a brand-new podcast, The Art of Advocacy, hosted by Bill Brewer, that will explore issues at the intersection of law, business, and communications.
We take pride in what we achieved in 2024, and your unwavering support propels us toward even greater results. As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to continuously push the boundaries of excellence in our advocacy. We embrace every obstacle, every challenge, and every fight, all while appreciating that pressure is a privilege.
Lights, Camera, Action! Brewer Summer Program Profiled by Law 360
June 25, 2024 – Law 360 showcased the Brewer firm in its article, “Small Firms Put Unique Spin on Summer Associate Programs.” The article notes how the Brewer summer program provides participants with real-life experience, networking opportunities, and social activities.
Firm partner Will Brewer says, “We had the law clerks and even the college interns working on substantive stuff, preparing for depositions, attending depositions, taking notes in meetings, going to court if that arises," he said. "We're just trying to give them a good experience, not just watching but also contributing to the end product and really working on the case."
As Law 360 reports, Brewer's [summer] program is also unique in that it takes not just law students but also MBA students who work with the firm's business consultants, and undergraduate public relations and communications majors who work with the firm's public affairs managers.
"It's big, but it's super fun," Brewer said. "And it kind of gives people a chance to shadow and work with the people who they would potentially want to step into their role one day."
Click here to read the full article.