Dallas Morning News: Hunt Family Embroiled in Trust Lawsuit
November 9, 2007 – The Dallas Morning News reports on a lawsuit by firm client Albert Hill III, the first great-grandson of H.L. Hunt, against the trustees for two family trust funds, alleging mismanagement of about $3 billion in assets.
The article, titled “Hunt Family Embroiled in Trust Lawsuit,” describes the creation of several family trusts and claims from Hill III that he “became a direct beneficiary of the trust when his father, Mr. Albert Hill Jr. ‘disclaimed’ most of his interests in the Margaret Hunt trust March 22, 2005.”
“Al Hill III didn’t sue his father until after his father sued him and said he was not the beneficiary of these trusts, fired him from the family business and filed documents in probate court that made certain claims that would oust Al and his grandchildren from any interests in these trusts,” said William Brewer, attorney for Albert Hill III.
Dallas Morning News: Suit Calls Irving’s At-Large System Unfair to Hispanics
November 7, 2007 – The Dallas Morning News reports that a federal voting rights lawsuit filed against the city of Irving, Texas, and its nine city council members alleged that the at-large voting system effectively denied representation to Hispanics.
The lawsuit requested that the court declare that the at-large election system violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and requested the development of a new system of electing the city council. The article referred to discussions about creating single-member districts.
Attorney Bill Brewer of Brewer Storefront represented plaintiff Manuel Benavidez, who twice ran unsuccessfully for the Irving City Council. Brewer said the city was the best place to “start the debate.”
“This is the body that is most directly involved in municipal affairs across the board,” Brewer said.
He added that Hispanics should determine at least some council seats in a city where more than one-third of the population is Hispanic.
"You would have an enriched community if you had different points of view at the table debating matters of municipal policy and municipal affairs,” Brewer said.
Houston Chronicle: Judge Bars Enforcement of Farmers Branch Rental Law
June 5, 2007 –The Houston Chronicle reports that U.S. District Judge Sam Lindsay extended an order preventing the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch from enforcing a voter-approved ordinance barring apartment rentals to most illegal immigrants.
The judge decided that a temporary restraining order issued the month prior would remain in effect until June 19, 2007.
“Farmers Branch should not be in the business of determining who is in the country legally,” said then Brewer attorney Jim Renard, who was representing three apartment complexes. He added that the ordinance should be “tossed.”
Read more here.
Austin American-Statesman Reports UT System, Hydro-Quebec Win Round in Battery Suit
February 6, 2007 — The Austin American-Statesman reports that The University of Texas System "won a key appellate ruling in a lawsuit alleging that Japanese telecommunication giant NTT Corp. stole advanced battery technology from the Austin campus." The article, titled “Battery Deal Gives UT Royalty Payments,” states that the ruling "moves the UT System and Canadian utility Hydro-Quebec a big step closer to trying the case in state district court in Austin."
The report states that Bickel & Brewer client Hydro-Quebec is the lead plaintiff in the case. Hydro-Quebec licensed the battery technology from the UT System but claims the "theft and misuse of the technology has cost it and the university licensing deals" — with damage estimates at $500 million to $750 million, according to attorney Bill Brewer.
Dallas Morning News: Never Too Soon to Learn to Lead
June 3, 2006 — The Dallas Morning News (DMN) reports that lawyers John Bickel and Bill Brewer "take pride not only in providing legal service for their clients, but also in taking a genuine interest in the communities where those clients live." The article details the many ways in which Bickel & Brewer are giving back — in particular by developing and funding the Future Leaders Program, which provides "after-school academic resources and leadership training for middle school students from South Dallas and Oak Cliff."
The report details how the program centers around a public-private partnership between schools and teachers from the Dallas Independent School District and those from private schools, including The Hockaday School, St. Mark's School of Texas, and the Greenhill School.
According to the report, the program, which is fully funded by the Bickel & Brewer Foundation, served 70 students during the 2004-05 school year, but expects to serve about 100 during the upcoming school year.
"We understand that these kids are our greatest influence," Brewer told the DMN. "You can help a child in seeing themselves and seeing their lives being elevated to a level of them being able to impact someone else."
The article notes that Brewer's focus on the community led to him receiving the Hero for Children award in 2005 from the Texas State Board of Education.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Announces Major Victory in Multi-Million Dollar Dispute
May 11, 2006 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced today a major victory in an arbitration relating to the ownership and management of two Westin hotels. A three-member arbitration panel issued a unanimous ruling on April 28, finding that Starwood and Westin Hotels Limited Partnership (“WHLP”) had prevailed in a 17-month long arbitration proceeding and were not liable for any portion of the more than $200 million Kalmia Investors, LLC (“Kalmia”) alleged as damages to the WHLP partnership in which it is an investor.
Kalmia asserted numerous claims against WHLP, Starwood and Westin Realty Corporation ("Westin Realty"), the general partner of WHLP, and sought lost profits, disgorgement of management fees, punitive damages and the alleged lost value from the sale of the two hotels in question.
The panel denied Kalmia's claims, stating, "Kalmia failed to carry its burden of proving, separately or in combination, misconduct (by Starwood, WHLP, or Westin Realty) violative of any contractual, fiduciary or other legal duty owed to Kalmia by those parties," and that, “the total damages sought by Kalmia were inflated, unsupported, and lacking in credibility.” The panel also characterized Kalmia's main theory of damages as “entirely speculative and highly improbable.”
“This is an important victory for us," said Kenneth S. Siegel, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of Starwood Hotels. "This ruling is a major validation of Starwood's business practices and proves that we honored our duties to all parties involved and acted in the utmost good faith. We look forward to continuing to successfully manage the Westin St. Francis Hotel and the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel.”
“The panel’s decision vindicates Starwood's management of these two great hotels," said William A. Brewer III, partner at Bickel & Brewer and lead defense counsel for Starwood. “We are pleased that the panel agreed and denied Kalmia's claims in all respects.”
To read more, click here.
WSJ Reports on Government’s Probe of Tax Shelters
June 3, 2005 – The Wall Street Journal reports today on “a popular stock option transaction marketed by Bank of America and other institutions” that is at the center of an investigation launched in New York by Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. According to the WSJ, the investigation has been joined by the Internal Revenue Service and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The article comments on firm clients Sam and Charles Wyly. According to the article, the Wylys “feel strongly they only did that which was appropriate,” said Bill Brewer, their Dallas lawyer.
The two created their trusts for the benefit of family members and charitable purposes, Mr. Brewer said. They “hired all these professionals to do what they thought and still hope are legitimate arrangements,” Brewer said.
Read the full report here.
Elite News Reports on Launch of Bickel & Brewer Future Leaders Program
October 25, 2002 — Elite News in Dallas reports that the Bickel & Brewer Foundation has launched a new leadership development program for a select group of 5th and 6th grade students from South Dallas. Designed and funded by the Foundation, the "Future Leaders Program" involves a public-private partnership between South Dallas public schools J. P. Starks Elementary and Billy Earl Dade Learning Center and "two of the city's most prominent private schools," The St. Mark's School of Texas and The Hockaday School.
The report, titled “Bickel & Brewer Help Launch Leadership Development Program,” states, "In a novel approach to Dallas-area education, teachers from the participating private and public schools worked hand-in-hand to build the educational curriculum. They are also working side-by-side in the classroom, teaming to teach the students and create a dynamic learning environment."
"By traveling outside of South Dallas to participate in the program, these students will be exposed to a different learning environment and exposed to many new exciting possibilities," Dallas Independent School District Area Superintendent Shirley Ison-Newsome told the publication.
The inaugural FLP class includes 20 students. Elite News notes that the Bickel & Brewer Foundation is funded by the national litigation firm of Bickel & Brewer.