Reuters and Law360 Report on Brewer Client's Lawsuit for Unpaid Legal Fees
January 9, 2026 — Reuters and Law360 today report that Brewer client Williams Simons & Landis PC (WSL) is "suing a group of its former clients, saying they breached a representation contract by failing to pay more than $11 million owed to the firm after a successful trade secrets suit against Walmart," the Law360 report states.
The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division, names RiskOn International, its predecessor Ecoark Inc., Zest Labs Holdings, and law firm Bartko Pavia LLP as defendants.
As reported, WSL alleges it was retained under written engagement agreements to prosecute high-stakes trade-secret litigation against Walmart on a hybrid and contingent-fee basis. In 2021, WSL secured a staggering $115 million jury verdict. According to the complaint, WSL also built the litigation record that later supported a retrial verdict of approximately $223 million and culminated in an August 2025 confidential settlement.
The Law 360 report states, "Despite these victories, and the eventual settlement, triggering the contingency fee agreements, WSL said that its former clients refused to pay for its work and instead fabricated negligence claims to justify the non-payment."
"Williams Simons & Landis delivered extraordinary results in the Walmart litigation — and the firm's advocacy was the foundation for two jury verdicts totaling more than $325 million," said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and counsel to WSL. "The record reflects that a retrial was ordered so additional evidence could be considered. The retrial relied on the same trial record WSL developed and resulted in an even larger verdict. This dispute isn't about performance; it's about payment."
Reuters reports that Zest Labs subsequently filed a separate lawsuit on January 8, 2026, against WSL in state court in connection with the Walmart litigation.
Brewer told Reuters that WSL delivered "extraordinary results" in the Walmart case and that Zest's lawsuit was "nothing more than an attempt to deflect from paying our client."
Andover News: Phillips Debate Teams Advance to Round of 32 in International Public Policy Forum
January 7, 2026 — Andover News reports that Phillips Academy has advanced to the Round of 32 in the 2025-26 Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum.
Celebrating its 25th year, the International Public Policy Forum is a global high school debate contest that combines written and oral advocacy on major public policy issues. This year's competition is the largest in history, with 332 teams from 39 countries submitting qualifying round essays. From this initial field, the top 64 are selected by a panel of judges, who then compete in a single elimination tournament.
The field narrows through multiple written rounds, with the final eight teams receiving an invite to New York City to compete in live oral debates for cash prizes and to win the Brewer Cup.
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Big Island Now: Kealakehe Students Represent Big Island as They Advance to Next Round of International Debate Competition
January 6, 2026 — A team from Kealakehe Public High School has advanced to the top 32 teams in the 25th annual Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum, the only global high school debate competition blending written and oral advocacy. This year's contest began with a record 332 teams from 39 countries.
Starting from the Qualifying Round and continuing to through the Round of 64, teams submitted written arguments addressing whether the Group of 20 Nations should impose a global education tax equal to 1 percent of each member country’s GDP to support universal primary and secondary education. Judges then selected 32 advancing teams representing schools in 14 U.S. states and nine countries. The field will continue to narrow through to more successive rounds to eight finalists who travel New York City to compete in oral debates for a $10,000 grand prize and the Brewer Cup.
Kealakehe is the only Big Island team to advance this year, after reaching the top eight in last year’s competition.
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New York Law Journal: Amended Lawsuit Decries NYC Legislators Who Voted for Even Year Election Law
NEW YORK – December 30, 2025 — Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors filed an amended complaint Monday strengthening its constitutional challenge to New York’s Even Year Election Law (“EYEL”).
The amended complaint adds a new statewide plaintiff, the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways, representing more than 1,100 local officials across New York, and adds the New York State Board of Elections as a defendant responsible for administering and enforcing the law.
The filing builds on a lawsuit brought on behalf of the New York Republican State Committee, county Republican committees, and a coalition of counties, towns, local candidates, and voters from Nassau, Suffolk, and Orange Counties in October.
Enacted in December 2023 and signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, the EYEL moves most county and town offices outside New York City from historic odd-year election cycles to even-numbered years, coinciding with state and federal contests. Plaintiffs contend the law undermines local control over election timing and reshapes how local elections are conducted.
The amended filing builds on the existing First Amendment and Voting Rights Act claims by incorporating additional factual allegations based on the law’s operation and effects. It also updates the case to reflect the November 2025 elections, in which candidates were elected under shortened, transitional terms and are now required to run again on accelerated timelines.
The amended complaint further highlights disparities in how the law was applied. It alleges that New York City voters were given the opportunity to decide whether to move their local elections to even years through a ballot initiative and rejected the change, while counties and towns outside the city had the even-year election mandate imposed on them by the State Legislature without a public vote.
The filing identifies New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who voted against the New York City ballot initiative that would have moved some of its local elections to even years, as a relevant non-party. It also identifies state legislators representing New York City districts who voted to impose even-year elections on all counties and towns outside of the city in 2023, but whose own constituents voted handily to preserve odd-year elections in November of this year.
Plaintiffs allege this contrast underscores the law’s unequal and politically selective design.
“Now that this law has been implemented, its consequences are no longer theoretical,” said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and lead counsel for the plaintiffs. “Local candidates will be forced to run again on shortened timelines, local elections will be buried under federal races, and voters will be deprived of meaningful choice. Fortunately, the Constitution does not permit government officials to implement a system designed to silence local democracy.”
He added, “This case is about defending the right of communities to govern themselves — to debate local issues, elect local leaders, and be heard without being drowned out by national politics. That is what the First Amendment protects, and that is what this lawsuit seeks to restore.”
Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief to block enforcement of the law and restore local control over election timing.
Contact:
Director of Communications
Office: 212-527-2580
ajd@brewerattorneys.com
Read more here.
High School Debate Teams Advance to Round of 32 in International Public Policy Forum (IPPF)
December 29, 2025 — The Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) today announced the high school debate teams advancing to the Round of 32 in the 2025-26 competition. Founded in 2001, the IPPF is the world’s only international high school debate competition combining written and oral advocacy on issues of public policy. Now in its 25th year, the IPPF’s annual competition began in October with a record-breaking 332 teams from 39 countries, making it the largest qualifying field in program history.
In the Round of 64, teams submitted arguments in a written volley on the topic:
“Resolved: The Group of 20 Nations should levy a global education tax equal to 1% of each member country's gross domestic product to establish a dedicated international organization that supports the provision of universal, free, quality primary and secondary education.”
A panel of judges evaluated each submission and selected the 32 teams advancing to the next round. These teams represent schools in 14 U.S. states and nine countries including Turkey, Singapore, and Vietnam.
From these 32 teams, the field will narrow through an additional elimination round to the Elite 8, who will be invited to New York City to compete in oral debates for cash prizes and the Brewer Cup.
The Round of 32 is now underway. To learn more about the tournament, click here.
Round of 64 Results:
· Syosset High School from Syosset, New York advances over KIPS College Sargodha / Aitchison College from Punjab, Pakistan
· Kealakehe Public High School from Kailua Kona, Hawaii advances over The Hockaday School from Dallas, Texas
· BASIS International School Shenzhen from Shenzhen, China advances over Cypress Ranch High School from Cypress, Texas
· Bergen Debate Club from Fort Lee, New Jersey advances over Upper St. Clair High School from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
· Seido Mikawadai High School from Nagasaki, Japan advances over Solon High School from Solon, Ohio
· Jasper High School from Plano, Texas advances over Westwood High School (Team 1) from Austin, Texas
· Ivy Bridge Academy (Team 1) from Johns Creek, Georgia advances over Speech & Debate India from Mumbai, India
· Greenwich High School from Greenwich, Connecticut advances over San Marino High School from San Marino, California
· Carroll Senior High School from Southlake, Texas advances over Summit Christian Academy from Yorktown, Virginia
· Pomperaug Regional High School from Southbury, Connecticut advances over Shanghai Pinghe School from Shanghai, China
· North Allegheny Senior High School from Wexford, Pennsylvania advances over Westwood High School (Team 2) from Austin, Texas
· Flower Mound High School from Flower Mound, Texas advances over Shanghai American School Puxi from Shanghai, China
· TH School from Hanoi, Vietnam advances over Mountain View-Los Altos Speech and Debate from Mountain View, California
· Hamilton High School from Chandler, Arizona advances over Notre Dame High School from Sherman Oaks, California
· The Academy of Classical Christian Studies from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma advances over Newark Academy from Livingston, New Jersey
· Çevre High School from Istanbul, Turkey advances over The Episcopal School of Dallas from Dallas, Texas
· Jabberwocky Studio from Delhi, India advances over Washington High School from Fremont, California
· Ivy Bridge Academy (Team 2) from Johns Creek, Georgia advances over Debate Education Forum High Wycombe, United Kingdom
· Delbarton School from Morristown, New Jersey advances over American School Dhahran from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
· Grand Oaks High School from Spring, Texas advances over College Preparatory School of America from Lombard, Illinois
· Notre Dame San Jose from San Jose, California advances over Richland High School from Prosper, Texas
· Phillips Academy Andover from Andover, Massachusetts advances over Orlando Science High School from Orlando, Florida
· Millburn High School from Millburn, New Jersey advances over King George British International School from Bucharest, Romania
· German European School Singapore from Singapore advances over Brookfield East High School from Brookfield, Wisconsin
· Troy High School from Troy, Michigan advances over PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya 1, AFS Sambra from Karnataka, India
· Phillips Exeter Academy from Exeter, New Hampshire advances over Saratoga High School from Saratoga, California
· Saint Paul Preparatory Seoul from Seoul, Republic of Korea advances over Rock Canyon High School from Highlands Ranch, Colorado
· Nova High School from Davie, Florida advances over Panther Creek High School from Frisco, Texas
· Damien Memorial School from Honolulu, Hawaii advances over British International School Abu Dhabi from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
· Westwood High School (Team 3) from Austin, Texas advances over Seoul International School from Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
· Marymount Academy International from Montreal, Canada advances over Woodberry Forest School from Woodberry Forest, Virginia
· Northport High School from Northport, New York advances over Alpha Co from La Crescenta, California
Elite News Highlights the Brewer Foundation’s 30 Years of Community Impact
Elite News recently profiled the Brewer Foundation in a prominent article recognizing the Foundation’s 30-year legacy of expanding educational opportunity and cultivating future leaders in Dallas and beyond.
The article underscores the Brewer Foundation’s roots as the philanthropic affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and its longstanding commitment to South Dallas communities. Central to the coverage is a statement from Brewer Foundation Founder William Brewer, who articulates the Foundation’s guiding philosophy and long-term vision:
“From the beginning, the Foundation’s mission—and commitment—has been to the idea that talent knows no boundaries,” Brewer says. “Our role is to support that talent, nurture it, and help young people build pathways toward glorious futures. Thirty years is not a conclusion; it is a beginning.”
The article devotes significant attention to the Foundation’s flagship Future Leaders Program (FLP), characterizing it as a nationally distinctive, year-round academic and leadership initiative serving more than 200 Dallas ISD students. FLP is the first public-private partnership of its kind, uniting Dallas ISD with leading independent schools to deliver rigorous instruction, leadership development, and expanded access to opportunity. Since 2009, FLP participants have earned more than $20 million in scholarship awards and consistently matriculated to prestigious colleges and universities.
The coverage also features perspectives from Foundation President Ian Shaw and key public stakeholders. Former Dallas ISD administrator and community advocate Shirley Ison-Newsome describes FLP as a transformative model that should be replicated nationwide, while students and alumni share firsthand accounts of how the program strengthened their confidence and opened doors to life-changing opportunities.
Further reinforcing this external validation, Elite News reports on a recent $50,000 grant from the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation, highlighting continued philanthropic confidence in the Brewer Foundation’s mission and impact.
Beyond its local work, the article also recognizes the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF), now marking its 25th anniversary. IPPF is highlighted as a unique global platform that elevates student voices through written advocacy and live debate, with record participation and an ongoing partnership with New York University—demonstrating the Foundation’s growing national and international reach.
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New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Taps Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors for Amicus Brief
December 24, 2025 – Bearing Arms reports that Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors represents the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association (NYSRPA) in its advocacy in support of Ali Danial Hemani in United States v. Hemani. NYSRPA and the Brewer firm intend to submit an amicus brief in support of Hemani, joining the ACLU and others in this landmark case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The case centers on enforcement of the federal ban on gun possession by “unlawful” users of drugs. The Fifth Circuit held the statute unconstitutional in many circumstances, rejecting prohibitions absent active intoxication. The Solicitor General subsequently petitioned the Supreme Court for review, which was granted.
In a statement provided to Bearing Arms, firm partner William A. Brewer III said the amicus brief will “make the case for a straightforward, principled approach to the Constitution – one that protects freedom while ensuring fairness in the law.”
As reported by Bearing Arms, Brewer’s record of success in constitutional litigation includes its representation of the National Rifle Association of America in the unanimous Supreme Court victory in the First Amendment case against former New York financial regulator Maria T. Vullo, National Rifle Association of America v. Vullo.
NYSRPA President Tom King emphasized the significance of the Hemani case and the broader constitutional moment.
“The Hemani case is a defining moment – a reminder that constitutional freedom must never be weakened by vague or overreaching government power,” King said. “Our partnership with Brewer ensures that the Supreme Court will hear a powerful defense of individual liberty.”
Briefs in United States v. Hemani are due before the Court on January 20. Amicus briefs will follow one week later.
Brewer Foundation Receives $50,000 Grant from the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation to Support Future Leaders Program
Dallas, Texas — December 15, 2025 – The Brewer Foundation today announced it received a $50,000 grant from the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation to its Future Leaders Program (FLP). The grant will support academic instruction, leadership development, and experiential learning opportunities for FLP students – advancing the program’s mission to prepare young people for higher education and long-term success.
Founded in 2001, the Future Leaders Program is a flagship academic and leadership initiative of the Brewer Foundation, the philanthropic affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. The FLP serves more than 200 students, ages 12–18, from urban communities within the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) at no cost. Through year-round academic courses, leadership training, and exposure to a wide range of cultural programs, FLP helps prepare its “future leaders” for college and beyond.
FLP is the first public-private partnership of its kind in the country – drawing professionals, resources, and inspiration from DISD and four independent school partners: The Hockaday School, St. Mark’s School of Texas, the Episcopal School of Dallas, and Greenhill School.
“We are honored to receive this generous support from the King Foundation,” said William A. Brewer III, Chairman of the Brewer Foundation. “This grant strengthens our impact and sends an important message to FLP students: the community believes in them and the promise they hold to achieve great things.”
The Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation, a long-standing philanthropic leader in North Texas, West Texas, and Arkansas, supports charitable initiatives that strengthen communities and expand opportunity. Guided by the values of compassion, opportunity, integrity, and stewardship, the Foundation has awarded transformative grants for more than six decades to organizations creating meaningful and lasting community impact.
“We’re proud to partner with the Brewer Foundation and support the Future Leaders Program,” said Kim Davis, CEO of the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation. “FLP is creating real access and opportunity for young people, and that kind of long-term investment in students and their potential is exactly the work our Foundation exists to fuel.”
Since 2009, FLP seniors have received more than $20 million in scholarship offers. Alumni have graduated from elite colleges and universities, including New York University, Yale University, Northwestern University, Colby College, Pomona College, The University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, and Texas Christian University. The most recent FLP graduating class received more than $2.5 million in scholarships and awards.
“Support from the King Foundation validates our mission and allows us to expand our impact,” said Ian Shaw, President of the Brewer Foundation. “This partnership helps us light a pathway to college for FLP students and deepen our service to the community.”
About the Brewer Foundation
Now celebrating its 30-year anniversary, the Brewer Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. The Foundation empowers students through education equity, mentorship, and global debate. It breaks barriers, amplifies voices, and champions the art of advocacy for lasting change. A 501(c)(3) private foundation, the Brewer Foundation supports a range of community initiatives, with a special emphasis on developing, overseeing, and funding education programs, including the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) and the Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF). For more information: www.brewerattorneys.com/foundation
About the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation
Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation started the Foundation that bears their names in 1966. Established through gifts from the Kings, as well as their daughter, Dorothy, the Foundation has grown to more than $115 million in assets. The Foundation distributes more than $3.5 million per year through grants and direct charitable activities to charities serving residents of four counties in North Texas, 15 counties in West Texas, and 19 counties in Arkansas. Foundation grants span multiple categories including the arts, education, and social services for the elderly, children and low-income people. For more information: www.kingfoundation.com.