Managing Partner William Brewer Writes About the Value of Debate
Managing Partner William Brewer recently wrote a commentary on LinkedIn about the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) competition, which he founded in 2001. The IPPF is the only high school debate competition that gives students from around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.
NPEA Recognizes Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP)
The National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA) profiled the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) in its September 2016 “Member Spotlight.”
The NPEA interviewed FLP Director of Academics and Accountability Brittany Brady about the history of the program and its impact on students from the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). Founded in 2001, the FLP services DISD students in grades 5-12, and “seeks to develop their leadership and academic skills, as well as guide them through the college admissions process.”
Dallas Morning News: Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Scraps At-Large Voting in Settlement, Gets First Latino Trustee
October 9, 2015 – The Dallas Morning News reports that the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District board voted 5-2 to approve a settlement in a voting rights lawsuit filed against the district by Brewer Storefront on behalf of plaintiff Guillermo Ramos.
As part of the settlement, CFB ISD agreed to transition to a cumulative voting process, allowing voters to cast as many votes as there are open seats and distribute their votes among candidates as they choose.
The lawsuit claimed that the at-large system denied fair representation to Hispanic citizens and violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The lawsuit stated that since at least 1995, bloc voting by white voters resulted in the defeat of every Latino candidate.
A trustee resigned as part of the settlement and Ramos took her place on the school board, adding a Hispanic member to the board. Ramos stated that, “I am proud to have pursued this lawsuit.”
Under the settlement, the district agreed to conduct voter registration efforts and offer accessible voting opportunities for the Latino community.
Attorney William Brewer, who represented Ramos, said the changes confirmed that “there will be greater political opportunity for the Latino community.”
Read more here.
Dallas Business Journal: Headington Cos. Fires Back at Forest City
July 24, 2015 — The Dallas Business Journal (DBJ) reports on a real estate dispute between an affiliate of Forest City and Brewer client Headington Realty and Capital LLC.
On July 8, the Forest City affiliate filed suit against billionaire Tim Headington's companies claiming that Headington's plan to develop a five-story boutique shop on Main Street in downtown Dallas would harm a residential building next door — blocking the windows in several units.
In the face of the lawsuit, the report states, Headington has "fired back with a strongly worded letter through his attorney William 'Bill' Brewer III."
The letter asks Forest City to immediately dismiss its suit with prejudice "because it is groundless and brought in bad faith."
"The claims they articulated are so grossly lacking in any legal merit, you have to wonder why it was done," Brewer told the DBJ. "In Texas, you are allowed to develop your property and utilize it to its best effect. It is particularly annoying here, given the present owner of the property frankly is not only a newcomer to Dallas, in a sense, but stood silently by when the property was up for sale."
"They had an opportunity to buy it, restrict it in some way and put it back on the market, but they didn't do that," Brewer said.
To read the full article, “Headington Cos. Fires Back at Forest City in Fight for Public Perception,” click here (subscription required).
Rolling Stone Reports on Rapper 50 Cent's Bankruptcy Filing
July 13, 2015 — Rolling Stone today reported that Brewer client Curtis Jackson, known as 50 Cent, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The report quotes a firm press release, which states that the filing will allow the rapper to "reorganize his financial affairs, as he addresses various professional liabilities and takes steps to position the future of his various business interests."
"The filing for personal bankruptcy protection permits Mr. Jackson to continue his involvement with various business interests and continue his work as an entertainer, while he pursues an orderly reorganization of his financial affairs," said William A. Brewer III, counsel to Jackson.
To read the full report, click here.
The Next Chapter: Bill Brewer Moves Forward
June 21, 2015 – The Dallas Morning News reports today on the next chapter of Bickel & Brewer – as co-founding partner John W. Bickel II leaves the firm after more than three decades. The article reports the firm is changing its name to Brewer, and preparing for a “move to new offices atop downtown Dallas’ Comerica Tower.”
The Morning News reports, “For more than three decades, Bickel & Brewer instilled fear in business leaders and disgust in opposing counsel. The Dallas litigation boutique firm gained a national reputation for its abrasive, brass-knuckles, confrontational style.”
“I will always appreciate the time we had together and the success we experienced during the past 30 years,” Brewer said. “We never really felt there was a dispute between us. We are good friends and godfather to each other’s children. We had lunch together just recently.”
He said that large full-service law firms that cut back their litigation departments present opportunities for litigation boutiques such as Brewer to grab experienced trial lawyers seeking firms that have lots of cases.
“We live in the rarefied air of handling big-ticket items that attract really great lawyers,” he said. “If you are a buyer — and we are — it is a conspiracy of riches right now.”
Read the report here.
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.