Dallas Morning News: Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Accused of Voting Rights Violations
April 25, 2015 – The Dallas Morning News reports that a federal lawsuit filed against the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (CFBISD) by Guillermo Ramos accused the district of violating the Voting Rights Act with its at-large elections.
The lawsuit alleged that the at-large election system denied representation to Latinos. According to the lawsuit, none of the seven trustees was Hispanic, despite the fact that about 55 percent of the students in the district are Hispanic.
“In racially polarized communities where one group has the power to exclude another group from participation, that’s illegal,” said Ramos’ attorney, William A. Brewer III. “It’s probably more of an issue where there is a large and growing influx of Hispanics in the community.”
Brewer argued that the creation of single-member districts would afford the Hispanic community a chance to elect Hispanic representatives to the school board. The article also mentions that Ramos previously sued the city of Farmers Branch over an ordinance barring unauthorized immigrants from housing.
“We believe the community is entitled to single-member districts,” Brewer said. “That would afford the Hispanic community a chance to elect Hispanics to the school board.”
The article highlights the broader context of voting rights issues in North Texas, noting that Bickel & Brewer Storefront has challenged other area voting practices, including those in Grand Prairie ISD.
The article highlights the broader context of voting rights issues in North Texas, noting that the Storefront had challenged other area voting practices, including those in Grand Prairie ISD.
Brewer expressed confidence that a change to the district's system would encourage more Hispanic candidates to run for the school board
Read more here.
Family-Owned Business Wins Fight Against Duane Reade Expansion
February 18, 2015 — DNA Info reports that an 83-year-old Midtown Manhattan show repair business "fought its landlord and won." The report details the Bickel & Brewer Storefront's efforts to save Jim's Shoe Repair — a family-owned shop that was being forced out of its 59th Street location to make room for a Duane Reade.
In September 2012, Jim's learned that its lease was not being renewed to make room for the chain pharmacy. That's when William Brewer, a Jim's customer, offered to fight the eviction in court through his firm's community service affiliate, the Bickel & Brewer Storefront.
The Storefront filed suit and put together a petition, gaining thousands of signatures from loyal customers. Ultimately, the landlord, SL Green, and Duane Reade settled the case. Jim's signed a new nine-year lease.
“Jim’s is a business that embodies the American Dream,” said Brewer. “The victory today is for all those who value family-owned businesses in the country. They represent a time when the fabric of our communities were tied to family values.”
Read the full article here.
Much to Celebrate in the New Year: Jim’s Shoe Repair to Remain at Famed Midtown Location
February 17, 2015 – For one of New York City’s most cherished businesses and thousands of its customers, there is much to celebrate in the New Year.
Jim’s Shoe Repair announced today that it has signed a new lease agreement and will remain in business at its current location at 50 E. 59th Street. The family-owned cobbling business has been at its current location since 1940, but was only weeks away from losing its space and having to vacate the premises.
An in-store celebration is planned for 2 p.m. today.
“Words cannot describe what it means for a small business like ours to defy the odds – and be able to stay in the location we’ve called home for over 70 years,” said Joseph Rocco, Jr. “We are grateful to our attorneys, Duane Reade, Borough President Gale Brewer, SL Green, and the thousands of people who voiced their support of our business. All worked together to make this miracle possible.”
Jim’s fight for survival has become one of the most closely-followed cases of its kind – emblematic of the struggle faced by small businesses swept away in the “corporatization” of New York City. It has been widely reported that Jim’s was losing its 1,000 square-foot shop to accommodate the expansion of Duane Reade, located next door.
The Bickel & Brewer Storefront, the community-service affiliate of Bickel & Brewer law firm, represented Jim’s in the courtroom, pro bono, and engineered a grassroots petition drive to help save the business. The Storefront aided Jim’s in seeking landmark designation, and represented the business in ensuing litigation in New York Supreme Court, in Manhattan, against the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. The Storefront also defended Jim’s in eviction proceedings. Jim’s and its landlord, SL Green Realty Corp., have resolved matters regarding the lease agreement and the eviction proceedings have been dismissed. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Jim’s is a business that embodies the American Dream,” says William A. Brewer III, partner at the Storefront and long-time Jim’s customer. “The victory today is for all those who value family-owned businesses in this country. They represent a time when the fabric of our communities were tied to family values.”
Jim’s was founded in 1932 by Italian immigrant Vito Rocco. He named his modest shop “Jim’s” because he believed an American-sounding name would be good for business. At the time, prejudice against Italian immigrants was common. Now in its fourth-generation, Jim’s is steeped in tradition and “Old World” charm.
The shop still utilizes its original gold cash register and antique wooden compartments for customers waiting on shoe repairs. The history of the business has been chronicled by Andy Rooney, Gentleman’s Quarterly, and New York Magazine, to name a few.
The founder’s youngest son, Joseph Rocco Sr., and his two brothers, Giulio and John, ran the business for years before Giulio and John passed away. Today, guests from around the world are still greeted by Rocco Sr., and his son, Rocco Jr. The founder Rocco’s great grandson, Andrew Rocco, 25, is the apprentice – and keeper of the family flame.
“This is a storybook ending for our customers and a business that runs in our blood,” says Andrew. “It feels like we are part of something larger here, giving hope to small businesses in this community and throughout all of New York City. We have achieved the impossible.”
Dallas Morning News: Grand Prairie ISD Settles Election Lawsuit, to Go to Single-Member Districts
September 26, 2014 – The Dallas Morning News reports that Bickel & Brewer Storefront (now Brewer Storefront) announced the settlement of a voting rights lawsuit brought against the Grand Prairie Independent School District.
The lawsuit, filed by the Bickel & Brewer Storefront on behalf of Victor Rodriguez, claimed that the at-large system denied fair representation to Hispanic citizens. As part of the settlement, the district agreed to transition to a new electoral system consisting of five single-member districts and two at-large districts. Two of the single-member districts adopted were made up of a majority of eligible voters who were Latino U.S. citizens.
"We are pleased that the school board agreed to adopt an electoral system that provides Latino voters in the district a meaningful opportunity to participate in the political process," William A. Brewer III, partner at the Storefront, said in a statement. "Beyond the benefits to this school district, we believe the actions taken here are instructive to other school boards across the state."
The article noted that Hispanic students made up more than 60 percent of the student body, while the citizen voting age population was almost 34 percent Hispanic.
The lawsuit argued that the at-large system prevented effective participation by the Hispanic electorate. The article also referenced similar lawsuits filed by Bickel & Brewer in nearby cities, leading to changes in their voting systems.
Read more here.
Dallas Morning News: Supreme Court Refuses Farmers Branch Immigration Ordinance
March 3, 2014 – The Dallas Morning News reports that the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a lower-court ruling finding a rental ordinance in Farmers Branch, Texas, unconstitutional.
The ordinance sought to ban landlords from to renting to people who are in the U.S. unlawfully . The court’s decision brough ta seven-year legal battle to an end. The ordinance was never enforced.
Attorney William “Bill” Brewer said of the conclusion of the case that, “This is over...Our hope is that the city will close this unfortunate chapter in its history and begin to embrace the changing demographics of the community – as part of a more inclusive and dynamic future.”
Read more here.
On the Hot List: Firm Earns NLJ Acclaim
February 3, 2014 – The National Law Journal reports today on the firm being named to the “Litigation Boutiques Hot List” – 10 national firms earning national acclaim based on skill, not size. The article, “Relentless, Focused, Choosy,” reports on the firm’s “penchant for matters with a lot of money and business at stake, groundbreaking legal issues or big public policy questions.”
The NLJ reports that Partner William Brewer III explains the zest for big cases with a rhetorical question: Would you rather play in the minor leagues or in the majors?
“You really want to play against the best competition,” Brewer says.
Attorney Frank Finn, of counsel in the Dallas office of Thompson & Knight, has encountered the firm many times during his 58 years as a civil defense attorney and a mediator. “I found them very thorough and not afraid to invest hours and hours making sure they cover the waterfront,” Finn says.
Read the report here.
Law360: 5th Circ. Strikes Dallas Suburb’s Immigrant Rental Law
July 23, 2013 – Law360 reports that an en banc Fifth Circuit court permanently enjoyed a law passed by the City of Farmers Branch, Texas, that intended to prevent those living in the country illegally from renting property.
The article added that the five-judge majority opinion by Judge Stephen Higginson affirmed a lower court ruling and said Farmers Branch went too far by imposing criminal penalties on landlords and tenants and by allowing state courts to review determinations of immigration status.
“We are pleased with this outcome and appreciate the service of the court,” said William A. Brewer III of the Bickel & Brewer Storefront (now Brewer Storefront), a pro bono counterpart of the Brewer firm. “Farmers Branch thrust itself into the national debate over immigration – and this outcome was critically important for those who believe immigration reform must take place at the federal level.”
The case is Villas at Parkside Partners et al. V. The City of Farmers Branch, Texas.
Read more here.
Wall Street Journal: Judges Block Immigrant Laws in Texas, South Carolina
July 23, 2013 – The Wall Street Journal reports that the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an ordinance by the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch that sought to bar landlords from renting to immigrants living in the U.S. without legal documentation.
The judges concluded that the ordinance illegally interfered with the federal government’s enforcement of immigration laws. The article noted that the suburbs received national attention after first attempting to enact the law in 2006, citing an influx of undocumented immigrants.
Attorney William “Bill” Brewer, who represented plaintiffs challenging the ordinance, said the law was motivated by community members who were apprehensive about the growing Latino population.
“It’s not within the power of a municipality to slow down or change the ethnic composition of their communities through an effort to regulate immigration,” he said.
Read more here.