Law360: Author Gregg Jarrett Sues Over Alleged Theft of Trump Book Idea
April 1, 2025 — Law360 reports that Brewer client and Fox News contributor Gregg Jarrett has filed a lawsuit in New York state court against Simon & Schuster and his literary agency, Vigliano Associates. Jarrett alleges that the publisher and agency conspired to steal his idea for a book centered on the legal battles facing Donald Trump, a concept he pitched in early 2023.
According to the complaint, after Jarrett declined a low advance offer for the project, his former research assistant, Alex Marlow, was instead chosen to write the book. Now titled Breaking the Law, Marlow's book is slated for release in June.
"This case is about betrayal at the highest levels of publishing — where those entrusted to champion Mr. Jarrett's work instead allegedly conspired to exploit his ideas, misappropriate his opportunity, and enrich themselves at his expense," said Jarrett's attorney, William Brewer III of Brewer Attorneys & Counselors.
Law360 Reports on Lawsuit Brought by Actress Against Biote
November 25, 2024 – Law360 reports that Brewer client and commercial actress Cindy Latch accused the Biote hormone treatment company and its affiliates of improperly using her image and likeness in promotional materials promoting its therapy.
The article, “Hormone Therapy Co. Jilted Actress Over Image Use, Suit Says,” reports that Latch had an image use contract that automatically renewed from 2013 through 2021, but that Biote stopped paying her in 2021 as affiliates continue to her use her image to sell products. The complaint stated that, “Defendant blatantly misappropriated plaintiff's image and likeness—using her personal brand to sell products, cultivate customer relationships, and promote its corporate brand,"
William A. Brewer III, counsel for Latch, said in a statement her "currency is her personal brand."
"As is customary, she entered into an agreement to allow Biote to use her image and likeness," Brewer said. "Unfortunately, Biote continues to use plaintiff's personal brand while simultaneously denying her just compensation."
In addition to Brewer, Latch is represented by Brewer associates Joshua Harris and Nicholas Cacciarelli.
Read more here.
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.
Law360 Names Brewer Firm "Legal Lions of the Week"
June 1, 2024 — Law360 has named Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors one of its "Legal Lions of the Week" after the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled for Brewer client the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) in its First Amendment case against a former New York state regulator.
The recognition noted that the NRA is represented by The NRA is represented by William Brewer III, Sarah Rogers and Noah Peters of Brewer Attorneys & Counselors.
Law360 writes that, “In a unanimous decision, the high court said Thursday that the NRA sufficiently showed that former New York Financial Services Superintendent Maria T. Vullo likely breached the group's First Amendment protections through the collective actions the NRA accused her of taking against banks and insurance agencies affiliated with it.”
Read more here.
Law 360 Reports on NRA Reaction to NYAG Filing
May 8, 2024 – Law360 reports that Brewer client the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) responded to a filing by the New York Attorney General (NYAG) in which she asked a New York judge not to "reverse" a Manhattan jury's verdict. The jury verdict was entered in the NYAG vs. NRA lawsuit on February 23, 2024.
NRA lawyer William A. Brewer III told the publication, "In her response to the NRA's motion for judgement post-trial, the NYAG advances a number of novel legal theories to save the claims she presented at trial ... The NYAG's theories have no grounding in existing law. We look forward to responding."
The report states, "In February, jurors found that [former NRA Executive Vice President Wayne] LaPierre, who resigned on the eve of trial, as well as general counsel John Frazer and retired Chief Financial Officer Wilson 'Woody' Phillips, breached their fiduciary duties. Frazer was additionally held responsible for the false filings and Phillips for the related-party transactions. The verdict requires LaPierre to repay $4.4 million in ill-gotten funds to the NRA for his breaches, while Phillips must pay back $2 million."
A second phase of the proceedings is scheduled to begin in July – a bench trial before Justice Joel M. Cohen, in which the judge is expected to rule on any final remedies against defendants. In the final analysis, individual defendants could face financial awards payable to the NRA. No money damages will be awarded against the Association.
Read the report here.
Law360: NRA, LaPierre, Execs Seek to Ax Verdict
April 8, 2024 – Law360 reports that Brewer client the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is asking a New York judge to "throw out a Manhattan jury's verdict." A jury verdict was entered in the NYAG vs. NRA lawsuit on February 23, 2024.
According to the report, in its "motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, the NRA argued that prosecutors did not prove that the organization itself failed to protect its charitable assets. The group said there was no proof at trial that its charitable assets, as opposed to noncharitable assets, were improperly administered, nor was there proof of a 'sustained or systematic failure of the board to exercise oversight.'"
"The trial record clearly demonstrates that the NRA was the victim of hidden arrangements and control overrides orchestrated by former insiders working with a handful of their favorite vendors," NRA attorney William A. Brewer III told Law360. "The record also demonstrates the NRA Board took swift, decisive action when it became aware of such conduct."
"The Board's commitment to good governance was on full display during the jury trial," he added. "The NRA appreciates the service of the jury, but believes it improperly attributed individual misconduct to the NRA. As such, the Association seeks judgment in its favor on all remaining counts."
Read the Law360 report (subscription required).
Law360 Reports on Legal Win for NRA
March 29, 2024 – Law360 reported today on a legal win for the NRA in its lawsuit against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) over the “pistol brace rule.”
The NRA filed suit in the Northern District of Texas on July 3, 2023, against the ATF, the U.S. Department of Justice, and Steven M. Dettelbach, in his official capacity as director of ATF, seeking to enjoin the ATF’s unconstitutional rule, which would have reversed its long-standing position that pistol braces do not transform pistols into rifles subject to onerous registration and taxation requirements under the National Firearms Act.
As reported, “The court found that the final rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies develop and issue regulations, and that the NRA had a "substantial likelihood" of succeeding on the merits. According to the opinion, the gun rights group also demonstrated that it had Article III associational standing to bring the action on behalf of its members.”
According to Law360, the NRA successfully argued its members face irreparable harm from the new rule, which subjects law-abiding gun owners to penalties, fines, and potential prison sentences for the use of a brace.
"The NRA has emerged as a leading voice in opposition to this unlawful attempt to limit Second Amendment freedom," said NRA counsel William A. Brewer III in a statement. "When it was determined NRA members could not benefit from other injunctions, the association moved to the tip of the spear in the advocacy and prevailed in obtaining sweeping relief for its members."
Joining Brewer in representing the NRA are firm partners Noah Peters and Matthew H. Davis.
Read more here.
Law360 reports on NRA First Amendment Case Before the Supreme Court
February 21, 2024 – Law360 reports that former New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) Superintendent Maria T. Vullo filed a respondent brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in connection with the case National Rifle Association of America (NRA) v. Vullo, which will be heard in March. The NRA is represented in the case by Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and First Amendment scholar Eugene Volokh.
In a 2018 complaint against Vullo, the NRA said guidance memos Vullo issued to banks and insurers recommending that New York financial institutions evaluate the reputational risks arising from their dealings with the NRA amounted to an “overt viewpoint-based discrimination campaign.” In her brief to the Supreme Court, Vullo rejected the NRA's position that the statements were a "veiled threat."
NRA counsel William A. Brewer III told Law360 in a statement that the "respondents understate the NRA's allegations."
"It is not just that Vullo 'spoke out about matters of public concern,' but that she intentionally engineered a blacklisting campaign against the NRA at the direction of then Governor Cuomo because of its public advocacy," Brewer said. "The claim that the NRA's arguments should be rejected because they might 'encourage damage suits' against public officials is a red herring — an unpersuasive excuse to avoid scrutiny of the actions in question."
The NRA is also represented by Noah Peters and Sarah B. Rogers of Brewer Attorneys & Counselors.