Firm Named to Vault “Top 150 Under 150” and “2017 Best Law Firms in Texas” Lists
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors was named to Vault’s “Top 150 Under 150” list of leading midsize law firms. The ranking recognizes the top 150 law firms in the U.S. with fewer than 150 attorneys.
According to Vault, the firms on the list are “known for providing top-notch service and delivering big results.” Vault developed the list of highly sought-after law firms after reviewing Vault survey data, news stories and legal publications.
The firm was also named to Vault’s “2017 Best Law Firms in Texas” list. The firm is described by Vault as “the type of high-powered, bet-the-bank commercial litigation firm you would see on prime time.” Vault is known for its influential rankings across many industries and professions.
D CEO Magazine Names Managing Partner William Brewer to “The Dallas 500” 2016 List
The editors of D CEO Magazine named Managing Partner William Brewer to “The Dallas 500” for 2016. The Dallas 500 is a special publication recognizing the 500 most powerful business leaders in North Texas in 60 different categories.
Brewer was one of only six attorneys recognized in the “Law: Business and Commercial Litigation” category.
Those featured in the exclusive listing were selected by D CEO based on more than one year of research that included a review of corporate rankings, input from industry experts and analysts, and a final analysis by the publication’s editors.
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.