The Independent Reports on Lawsuit Against Simon & Schuster
April 1, 2025 – The Independent reports on a lawsuit by Brewer client and Fox News analyst Gregg Jarrett against the publisher Simon & Schuster, literary agent Vigliano Associates, and others.
According to the article, “…Jarrett has accused publisher Simon & Schuster of engaging in a ‘conspiracy’ to steal his book proposal about the Democrats’ ‘lawfare’ against Donald Trump and giving it to an editor for MAGA outlet Breitbart News, according to a new lawsuit.”
The article states, “Throughout the lawsuit, Jarrett — who has become one of Trump’s favorite legal experts due to his bestselling books decrying the Russia probe and ‘witch hunts’ against the president — claims that the defendants pulled a fast one on him to get his idea and move it to Marlow, who was also a Vigliano Associates client. Part of this plan, according to the complaint, involved lowballing Jarrett on his book advance.”
“This case is about betrayal at the highest levels of publishing — where those entrusted to champion Mr. Jarrett’s work instead allegedly conspired to exploit his ideas, misappropriate his opportunity, and enrich themselves at his expense,” Jarrett’s attorney William A. Brewer III declared.
Politico Playbook: Brewer Client Gregg Jarrett Sues Simon & Schuster, Vigliano Associates
April 1, 2025 — Politico reports on a lawsuit by Brewer client Gregg Jarrett, a Fox News legal analyst, against Simon & Schuster. Jarrett contends that the publishing house stole his book project about "lawfare" against Donald Trump — and gave it to Breitbart editor-in-chief Alex Marlow.
In addition to Simon & Schuster, the suit singles out David Vigliano, Jarrett's former literary agent, who Politico notes also reps Marlow.
“This case is about betrayal at the highest levels of publishing — where those entrusted to champion Mr. Jarrett’s work instead allegedly conspired to exploit his ideas, misappropriate his opportunity and enrich themselves at his expense,” Jarrett lawyer William A. Brewer III, a partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, said in a statement to Playbook.
Star-Telegram Reports Keller ISD Drops Controversial Plan, VRA Lawsuit Continues
March 14, 2025 - The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that while the Keller Independent School District board no longer is considering splitting the district, a voting rights lawsuit against the district will continue.
The Brewer Storefront filed suit in federal court on behalf of plaintiff Claudio Vallejo against the Keller Independent School District (KISD), alleging that the school district’s election system violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 because it denies fair representation to Hispanic voters. The lawsuit further alleges violations of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
Filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, on February 14, 2025, the lawsuit takes aim at the school district’s at-large voting system which denies Hispanic voters an opportunity to elect school board representatives of their choosing. The Storefront is the community impact legal affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors.
Brewer Storefront Partner William Brewer told the Star-Telegram that the Voting Rights Act lawsuit challenging the at large election system used to elect school board trustees will go forward.
“We are pleased that Keller ISD — in the face of the legal action taken by our client — reconsidered splitting the district,” Brewer said. “Of course, our client will press forward with his Voting Rights Act lawsuit against Keller ISD and continue to shine a light on actions detrimental to the district’s academic mission.”
Read more here.
Chambers and Partners Recognizes Brewer Firm in Texas Regional Spotlight
March 3, 2025 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors has been recognized in the Chambers and Partners Texas Regional Spotlight Guide 2025 for Dallas in the category of Commercial Litigation. This is the second consecutive year that Brewer has been awarded spotlight recognition.
Based in London, Chambers ranks and provides insights into law firms and lawyers globally. The legal research company uses in-depth research methodology and conducts detailed interviews to determine rankings. The regional spotlight recognizes small and medium-sized boutique law firms well-known for their expertise in selected practice areas.
“We appreciate the recognition by Chambers and Partners," said William A. Brewer III, founding partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. “All credit goes to our professionals who – at every level – are driven by the rush of big-ticket litigation. This recognition is testament to their skills and passion for advocacy.”
With decades of experience, the Brewer firm has built a reputation for tackling some of the most challenging commercial disputes nationwide. The firm’s professional staff includes consultants, accountants, investigators, and public relations experts – who all partner with attorneys to create a fully integrated legal team dedicated to advocacy at the highest level.
San Francisco Business Times: Meta Sued to Address Threats on Facebook
February 25, 2025 – The San Francisco Business Times reported today on a lawsuit by Brewer client Wymara Resort & Villas against Meta Platforms Inc. “to enforce its own content moderation policies after repeated threatening posts directed at employees.”
According to the article, “The complaint, filed Monday [February 24, 2025] in San Mateo County Superior Court, states Meta ignored repeated reports made through the platform and a formal letter to its Menlo Park headquarters alerting them to posts that directed abuse and violence at specific hotel employees. It’s one of the first lawsuits since Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced sweeping changes to the platform and company that included loosening moderation policies against hateful speech, which legal experts expect will lead to more lawsuits stemming from defamation and targeted harassment on the platform.”
The Wymara Resort & Villas is a luxury resort located in the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean.
“As its employees are subjected to harassment and threatened with violence, our client requested that Facebook comply with its obligation to uphold the platform’s community and professional standards,” said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and counsel to plaintiff Wymara Ltd. “Facebook sits idly by as its platform is weaponized and used to incite violence.”
As reported, “Wymara Ltd. is suing on the basis of breach of written contract — Facebook’s own terms of service — breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and declaratory relief. The hotel seeks monetary damages and a judicial order compelling Meta to remove the specified posts compiled and attached to the lawsuit.”
Read the article here.
Brewer Foundation Announces Attorney and Community Advocate Ian Shaw as President
February 24, 2025 – The Brewer Foundation today announced attorney and community advocate Ian Shaw as its president. Mr. Shaw will have oversight of all aspects of the 501(c)3 Brewer Foundation, the charitable affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. Mr. Shaw was most recently with Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C, where he practiced commercial litigation, labor employment, and personal injury defense.
Today’s announcement marks Mr. Shaw's return to the Brewer team. He previously worked in the consulting group in the firm’s New York office and was an associate in the firm’s Dallas office.
“Ian is a committed community advocate and trusted leader – with a background in team leadership, public service, and educational issues,” says William A. Brewer III, chairman of the Brewer Foundation. “His role as president of the Brewer Foundation represents the growth of the Foundation and its programs, and the need to invest more in managing them for the future.”
Founded in 1995, the Brewer Foundation supports a range of community initiatives, with a special emphasis on developing, overseeing, and funding a growing array of educational programs. Among these are the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) and Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF).
The FLP is an academic and leadership development program that benefits more than 200 students, ages 12 to 18, from urban communities within the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). Through year-round academic courses, leadership training, and exposure to a wide array of cultural programs, the FLP helps prepare its “future leaders” for success in college and beyond.
Since its inception in 2001, the FLP has graduated hundreds of students, many of whom have gone on to be first-or second-generation college students. FLP graduates have earned more than $20 million in scholarship offers. Seven FLP students have been named QuestBridge Scholars, and three have been named Gates Scholars – some of the nation’s most prestigious scholarships. The program has been recognized by the Texas State Board of Education and the Texas Governor’s Office.
“I am excited to join the Brewer Foundation and help build the FLP’s blueprint for the future,” Shaw says. “We are eager to explore new partnerships, continually improve our academic offerings, and help these students realize their visions for success. The program is a testament to the power of education and the belief that every student deserves equal opportunity.”
The IPPF is the only competition that gives high school students around the globe the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. Thousands of students participate each year. During the 2024-25 competition, 283 teams representing schools in 26 countries and 30 U.S. states submitted qualifying round essays affirming or negating the contest topic. Now in its 24th year, the IPPF will host the “IPPF Finals” in May at the Harold Pratt House in New York City.
Over its history, the Foundation has contributed more than $25 million to more than 60 charities in areas such as medicine, the arts, and human rights. All the firm’s professionals are given the opportunity to support the Foundation – and its impact on future generations.
Mr. Shaw will also contribute to the Brewer Storefront, the firm’s community service legal affiliate. Founded in 1995, the Storefront tackles local and national issues, providing legal assistance to a wide range of individuals, businesses, and community entities in need. The Storefront is currently handling several Voting Rights Act cases in North Texas – advocating for voting equality and giving a voice to minority communities.
Outside of his professional duties with the Brewer Foundation and Storefront, Mr. Shaw is a member of the Dallas Bar Association of Young Lawyers, JL Turner Association, Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Council. He is currently in the middle of a term with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, as appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
International Public Policy Forum Announces Advancing “Sweet 16” Teams
February 24, 2025 – The Brewer Foundation and New York University recently announced the advancing "Sweet 16" teams competing in the 2024-25 International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) — the first and only debate contest that gives high school students the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.
By advancing into the "Sweet 16" round, the teams remain eligible to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the IPPF Finals in New York City, where the IPPF World Champion will be awarded a $10,000 grand prize. The 2024 – 25 IPPF topic resolution is: “Resolved: Equitable access to pharmaceuticals should be prioritized over protecting intellectual property rights.”
"These teams dedicated months to analyzing a complex public policy issue and crafting written advocacy on both sides of the question," says William A. Brewer III, chairman of the Brewer Foundation and founder of the IPPF. "The upcoming round is pivotal, as it decides which teams earn the opportunity to travel to New York and face off in the ultimate test of oral advocacy.”
The advancing teams are:
AfterSkool Learning Centre from Singapore, Singapore
Akademeia High School from Warsaw, Poland
Alpha Co from La Crescenta, California
Alpharetta High School from Alpharetta, Georgia
Blue Valley High School from Stilwell, Kansas
Carroll Senior High School from Southlake, Texas
duPont Manual High School from Louisville, Kentucky
Ethos Academy from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Kealakehe Public High School from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
North Allegheny Senior High School from Wexford, Pennsylvania
Peak to Peak Charter School from Lafayette, Colorado
Rowland Hall from Salt Lake City, Utah
Slovak Debate Association from Bratislava, Slovakia
The Westminster Schools from Atlanta, Georgia
Westwood High School from Austin, Texas
William Mason High School from Mason, Ohio
The IPPF's 24th annual contest began in October 2024, when 283 teams representing schools in 26 countries submitted qualifying round essays affirming or negating the IPPF topic. A committee reviewed those essays and determined the “Round of 64” teams based on the overall quality of each 3,000-word essay.
In November, the “Round of 64” teams began a single-elimination, written debate tournament. Each team was assigned a position (affirmative or negative) and then volleyed papers back and forth with another team via email. A panel of judges reviewed the essays in the order they were presented and selected the advancing 32 teams, who then engaged in another round of debates against new opponents.
The "Sweet 16" round is now underway and will conclude in late March with the announcement of the advancing final eight teams. To learn more about the IPPF, click here.
Lawsuit Claims Keller ISD Electoral System Violates Voting Rights Act of 1965
February 15, 2025 - The Brewer Storefront filed suit in federal court on behalf of plaintiff Claudio Vallejo against the Keller Independent School District (KISD), alleging that the school district’s election system violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 because it denies fair representation to Hispanic voters. The lawsuit further alleges violations of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
Filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, on February 14, 2025, the lawsuit takes aim at the school district’s at-large voting system which denies Hispanic voters an opportunity to elect school board representatives of their choosing. The Storefront is the community impact legal affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors.
As of the 2023-24 school year, KISD was a majority-minority school district, enrolling 33,250 students, of whom nearly 25% are Hispanic.
Yet, all seven of the board members are white and non-Hispanic. The complaint cites three Hispanic and Spanish surname candidates who ran for the board in recent years—and lost. The complaint states that Hispanic teachers are underrepresented among KISD faculty, with 14% of teachers being Hispanic compared to a quarter of students who are Hispanic. Additionally, the interim superintendent and all five current assistant superintendents are white.
“The at-large election system used by Keller ISD denies Hispanic voters a fair opportunity to elect school board candidates of their choosing – those who would best represent the needs of the majority of children who attend schools in KISD," says William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer Storefront and lead counsel for plaintiff Vallejo, a parent of KISD students.
Under the current electoral system, school board members are elected at large. Candidates run for “places” but do not represent any specific geographic area. The lawsuit requests a new election system complying with the Voting Rights Act and Constitution, including a cumulative voting system and a shift to on-cycle elections. A cumulative voting system, included in the Texas Education Code, enables each voter to cast a number of ballots, for any one or more candidates in the manner of their choosing, equal to the number of positions to be filled at the election.
As the complaint states, a significant achievement gap exists within KISD schools. On the 2024 STAAR exams, while 69% of the white students met grade level, only 51% of the Hispanic students and 40% of the African American students met grade level.
A current proposal is under consideration that would split the district in half, breaking off the more diverse west side in which Vallejo resides, would increase segregation, and leave a predominantly white and affluent Keller ISD to the east situated in Keller proper. Currently, five of seven trustees reside on the East Side of the district within the Keller High School feeder pattern.
The lawsuit says, “From the outside looking in, KISD portrays itself as a premier public school district lauded for its commitment to academic excellence and student success. Families move to the district attendance area in pursuit of high-quality education, believing KISD to be a model of opportunity and fairness. However, for Mr. Vallejo, a long-time resident and invested parent, this image is far from reality.”
The son of Mexican immigrants, Vallejo deeply values the importance of education and received a bachelor’s degree in advertising with a minor in business administration from The University of Texas at Arlington. He is personally invested in KISD and currently has a son in fourth grade and a daughter in first grade at KISD’s Bette Perot Elementary School. He specifically moved into the district boundaries and bought a home in Fort Worth in 2021, so his children could attend KISD – now at risk due to the proposal to split the district in two.
“I am bringing this lawsuit to improve political opportunity for local voters, and to help ensure that every child, school, and section of the community is represented,” Vallejo says. “The current controversy over potentially splitting the school district brings to light the underrepresentation of diverse voices on our board.”
The lawsuit further describes that, “The consequences of this systemic imbalance have been stark. The Board’s recent actions – particularly its rushed contemplation of detachment – represent an unprecedented departure from established procedures, while disregarding community input in a way that makes clear the at-large system has produced a Board indifferent to the interest of residents like Plaintiff. The result is not only a threat to the educational opportunities Plaintiff fought to secure for his children but also a direct attack on the value of his home and his stake in the District’s future.”
The Storefront has successfully challenged violations of the Voting Rights Act on behalf of other communities of interest in previous actions.
The Storefront successfully resolved Voting Rights Act cases with the Lewisville Independent School District in 2023, Richardson Independent School District in January 2019, the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District in 2015, and the Grand Prairie Independent School District in 2014. All districts now utilize remodeled voting systems. The Storefront also secured trial victories in Voting Rights Act cases against the Irving Independent School District in 2014, the City of Farmers Branch in 2012, and the City of Irving in 2009. Those lawsuits paved the way for the formation of new voting systems and the election of minority candidates.