New York Times Reports on NRA, Legal Advocacy
December 5, 2024 – The New York Times reports today, in part, about the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and its “advocacy” in defense of its independence. As many of you know, in August 2020 the New York Attorney General (NYAG) filed a “dissolution lawsuit” against Brewer client the NRA.
Amid questions about the NRA’s legal strategy, firm partner William A. Brewer III noted that Brewer, with the support of NRA leadership, helped the Association successfully “confront a barrage of blue-state regulatory investigations,” including an effort by New York regulators to eliminate the group. The NYAG’s dissolution claims against the NRA were dismissed, and her bid for a court-appointed monitor was rejected by the court earlier this year.
Brewer told The Times:
“My firm handles bet-the-company, life or death advocacy. The NRA called and we helped them confront a barrage of blue-state regulatory investigations, a promised ‘corporate death penalty’ dissolution effort in New York, sweeping Russia-gate congressional inquiries, and a debanking effort condemned by the entire Supreme Court. Today, more than six years later, the NRA still stands – independent and free. We’re proud of that outcome, which we count as a win."
Read more here.
The New York Times Reports the NRA Intends to Reincorporate in Texas
On January 15, 2021, The New York Times reported that the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) plans to reincorporate in Texas and has filed for bankruptcy protection.
According to the report, the NRA is seeking to "circumvent New York's legal jurisdiction" after New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit in August 2020 seeking to dissolve the Association.
“Under this plan, the Association wisely seeks protection from New York officials who it believes have illegally weaponized their powers against the NRA and its members,” William A. Brewer III, the NRA’s lead outside attorney, told the Times.
The article notes that NRA CEO and EVP Wayne LaPierre says the plan "represents a pathway to opportunity, growth and progress."
“Obviously, an important part of this plan is ‘dumping New York,’” LaPierre added. “The NRA is pursuing reincorporating in a state that values the contributions of the NRA, celebrates our law-abiding members, and will join us as a partner in upholding constitutional freedom. This is a transformational moment in the history of the NRA.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott hailed the NRA news, tweeting: “Welcome to Texas – a state that safeguards the Second Amendment.”
Additional information about the NRA's plan to reincorporate in Texas can be found at www.nraforward.org.
Read more from The Times here.
Firm’s Case Chronicled in The New York Times
August 9, 2018
The New York Times chronicles one of the firm’s current advocacy campaigns in an article, “The NRA Has Declared War on Andrew Cuomo. He Couldn’t Be Happier,” dated August 9, 2018. The piece explores the firm’s representation of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and a lawsuit by the organization against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of Financial Services.
Partner William Brewer is quoted extensively in the article, offering insights into the firm’s position that the State of New York has violated the First Amendment rights of the NRA.
The New York Times Reports on Brewer Storefront Client Jim’s Shoe Repair
The New York Times reported on Brewer Storefront client Jim’s Shoe Repair, a treasured New York City business. Faced with losing its shop in Midtown to accommodate the expansion of Duane Reade, located next door, Jim’s engaged Managing Partner William Brewer, a longtime customer, and the Brewer Storefront to engineer an advocacy campaign to help save the business. The legal strategy, grassroots petition drive, PR campaign, and social media effort generated a wave of public support – allowing the business to successfully challenge eviction and secure a new lease agreement for the location it has called home for almost 70 years.
The New York Times Reports on the Firms "Bare-Knuckles" Approach
May 13, 1988 — The New York Times reports on the "back-knuckles" approach of Dallas attorneys at Bickel & Brewer. The article states that lawyers in Dallas say managing partners John Bickel and William Brewer "act like New York lawyers" — commenting on their aggressive tactics.
"New York lawyers are the sharpest in the country," Brewer said." We want to play in that league."
According to the article, the firm opened its own New York office last year and raised salaries — making them equal to that of top New York firms. Bickel & Brewer also has its own in-office mock courtroom, where "lawyers test cases and prepare witness with a run-through of every major trial."
Read the article, "Bare-Knuckles Litigation Jars Many in Dallas," here.