Texas Lawbook Reports on Brewer Client Caroline Hill, High-Profile Trust Dispute
March 13, 2026 – Texas Lawbook reports today on the latest developments in a Dallas County probate court case brought by Brewer client Caroline M. Hill, a 21-year-old Vanderbilt University student and the youngest child of Al Hill III. As reported, Hill seeks access to the books and records of the Lyda Hunt-Margaret Trust. Her lawsuit contends the trust, which should contain at least $15 million, has instead been "looted" and "dissolved." The coverage appeared the next day in The Dallas Morning News, “Hill Family Feud: Trust faces challenge amid claim $15M was ‘looted.’”
Explaining why Ms. Hill came to Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, lead counsel William A. "Bill" Brewer III told the Texas Lawbook that his client was "a very small child" when earlier litigation involving her father and grandfather was making headlines — and some of that fighting predates her birth entirely. "She literally just wanted information about the trust and the way in which it was administered and what happened to the corpus — all things that, under Texas trust law and the trust instrument itself, she's entitled to," Brewer said. "So, when Caroline began asking questions and didn't get satisfactory answers, she asked us to push forward in whatever way the law permits."
The Texas Lawbook reports that defendants attempted to block Caroline's lawsuit in both federal district court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, arguing her claims were barred by a 2010 global settlement agreement reached by her father. Both efforts failed. U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay issued a 26-page opinion rejecting that argument, noting that the Lyda Hunt-Margaret Trust "was never litigated, mentioned, or incorporated" into the prior settlement. He called the argument “absurd and unreasonable.” The Fifth Circuit then denied the defendants' request for an injunction pending appeal in an opinion issued March 10.
With those obstacles cleared, the case is now moving forward before Judge Ingrid M. Warren in Dallas County Probate Court, where defendants face a March 16 discovery deadline.
“Hopefully, come Monday, we actually get answers to these easily understood, obvious questions," Brewer said. "But it might be that we end up in front of the probate court, getting that judge to help us force them to answer these questions that are properly posed and, we think, required to be fully answered under Texas law."
Read The Texas Lawbook here.
Read The Dallas Morning News here.
Law360 Covers Brewer Client Williams Simons & Landis in Fee Dispute Against Bartko Pavia LLP
March 11, 2026 – Law360 reports today on Brewer client Williams Simons & Landis PC and its opposition to a motion to dismiss a federal lawsuit it filed against California law firm Bartko Pavia LLP over millions in attorneys' fees arising from landmark litigation against Walmart.
As reported, WSL, a Texas litigation boutique, represented RiskOn International and Zest Labs Holdings in the underlying Walmart trade secrets case, securing a $115 million jury verdict before being replaced by Bartko Pavia. WSL contends that its years of work — developing the evidentiary record, legal strategy, and advocacy — laid the groundwork for a subsequent verdict and settlement totaling more than $325 million. WSL alleges it is owed $11 million in fees under a litigation funding agreement and that Bartko Pavia used its control over the settlement proceeds to block payment while increasing its own recovery from the same pool of funds.
Law 360 reports that in opposing Bartko Pavia's motion to dismiss, WSL argued that the firm's invocation of Texas attorney immunity is misplaced. Under Texas law, that doctrine protects zealous client advocacy — not conduct undertaken to advance a lawyer's own financial interests. WSL further argued that its claims for tortious interference with contract and unjust enrichment are adequately pled and that factual disputes raised by Bartko Pavia cannot be resolved at the pleading stage.
Brewer partner William A. Brewer III, counsel for WSL, told Law360: "Our client earned its fees. What allegedly followed — an effort by Bartko Pavia to freeze WSL out of its share of the settlement proceeds to increase its own recovery from the same pool of funds — is precisely the kind of self-dealing that the law does not protect. WSL deserves its day in court."
To read more, click here.
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors Recognized for Third Consecutive Year in Chambers and Partners Texas Regional SPotlight Guide
March 10, 2026 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors earned recognition in the 2026 Chambers and Partners Texas Regional Spotlight guide for its top-tier Commercial Litigation practice. This marks the third consecutive year the firm has received this distinction.
Chambers and Partners, a London-based global legal research company, annually conducts an independent review process whereby it identifies leading law firms through a rigorous, independent review process. The Regional Spotlight guide recognizes elite boutique and midsize firms that demonstrate exceptional expertise in their markets.
“This recognition is a satisfying reflection of our high-stakes advocacy — in Texas and beyond," said William A. Brewer III, partner at the firm. "The credit goes to our attorneys, professionals across all disciplines, and clients. All work together to achieve winning outcomes in those ‘bet-the-business’ moments when everything is on the line.”
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors has a national reputation for managing complex commercial disputes. The firm’s model fully integrates its trial lawyers with a deep bench of in-house investigators, consultants, and public affairs experts to shape and achieve winning strategies.
The recognition follows a similar one for the firm’s New York office, underscoring the firm's national litigation footprint.
The Dallas Post Tribune Reports on the Brewer Foundation’s 30 Year Impact
March 2, 2026 – The Dallas Post Tribune recently profiled The Brewer Foundation and its flagship programs, the Future Leaders Program (FLP) and the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF).
The Foundation, which celebrates 30 years of student impact, was established in 1995 to expand opportunity in education. William A. Brewer III, the foundation’s chairman and partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors explained its mission saying, “The Foundation was always envisioned as a charity that would operate in the community.”
The FLP, founded in 2001, embodies that commitment. It operates as a public-private partnership between Dallas Independent School District (DISD) and private school partners. Shirley Ison-Newsome, a former DISD administrator and early program champion recounted its lasting impact, “What began as an ambitious concept has become a proven framework that consistently produces graduates who are prepared, confident, and positioned to succeed.”
Since its inception, FLP has served over 2,000 students and helped them secure over $20 million in scholarships since 2009.
While FLP serves the South Dallas community, the Foundation’s IPPF promotes civil discourse worldwide through the power of debate. Also in its 25th year, the IPPF saw its largest competition year to date with over 500 teams registered from 48 countries. The annual IPPF Finals will take place on April 18th at New York University, where the final eight teams will compete for the $10,000 grand prize and the Brewer Cup.
For the first time in program history, IPPF will host a symposium on the day before the finals, April 17th, uniting students with educators and policy leaders to examine this year’s topic.
The Foundation has also drawn new partners to its work. In 2025, the Foundation announced new partnerships with JP Morgan Chase, Capital One, and Texas Southern University.
Foundation President, Ian Shaw, told the Post Tribune, “The Foundation’s future will depend on building relationships with mission-aligned partners that believe in providing opportunities to students who are willing to change their future. Our responsibility is to expand access, evolve our programs, and ensure that students feel supported at every stage of their journey.”
Brewer Partner Josh Harris and Brewer Foundation President Ian Shaw Named to 2026 Super Lawyers Rising Stars List
February 24, 2026 — Brewer Partner Josh Harris and Brewer Foundation President Ian Shaw have been named to the 2026 Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in Texas.
“Josh and Ian reflect excellence in all they do,” said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. "This honor underscores the positive impact they make — in the courtroom and the community."
Harris represents clients in high-stakes commercial disputes, bringing talent, determination, and skill to client matters. Texas Lawyer recently highlighted his advocacy in a case involving individual image rights in the digital age.
Shaw is the president of the Brewer Foundation, where he leads its flagship educational initiatives: the Future Leaders Program (FLP) and the Brewer Foundation/NYU International Public Policy Forum (IPPF). He’s also involved in the community impact litigation of the Brewer Storefront. Shaw's leadership was recently recognized by The Dallas Morning News.
Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of lawyers in the state are selected for Rising Stars through a multiphase process that includes statewide peer surveys, independent research, and an evaluation of professional achievement. Super Lawyers is a Thomson Reuters business.
The Sunday Times Reports on WPP's Release of Client Data in Dispute with Brewer Client Richard Foster
February 21, 2026 — A high-stakes legal battle between advertising giant WPP and former WPP executive and Brewer client Richard Foster has resulted in the public disclosure of a multibillion-dollar trove of seemingly confidential client data, according to a report by The Sunday Times.
According to the article, in an attempt to defend itself against a $100 million claim, WPP submitted a 35-page internal document to a U.S. court that reportedly reveals the intimate spending habits of its largest clients, including Google, Coca-Cola, Unilever, and Ford. The disclosure, which documents more than $9 billion in advertising payments, is described in the report as commercially significant strategic intelligence that would typically remain internal.
The litigation centers on allegations from Foster, a 17-year veteran of WPP’s media-buying arm, who claims he was terminated for whistleblowing. Foster asserts that he raised internal concerns regarding the company improperly profiting from advertising rebates and discounts rather than passing those savings back to clients, allegedly creating a "non-disclosed profit center" worth $1 billion.
WPP has characterized the lawsuit as an attempt by a "disgruntled former employee" to extort a higher severance package. However, in a statement to the Times, Bill Brewer, partner at Brewer and counsel to Foster, stated that WPP had accused their client of extortion "without proper evidentiary support."
To read the article, click here.
First Amendment Watch at NYU Interviews William A. Brewer III on Challenge to New York’s Even Year Election Law
February 20, 2026 — First Amendment Watch at NYU recently interviewed William A. Brewer III regarding Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors’ constitutional challenge to New York’s Even Year Election Law (EYEL), which moves most local elections outside New York City from odd- to even-numbered years.
Filed December 29, 2025, an amended complaint alleges the law violates the First Amendment and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the EYEL is unconstitutional, an order barring its enforcement, and relief permitting localities to opt in or out. Plaintiffs include the New York Republican State Committee, the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways, and a coalition of counties, local candidates, and voters.
In the interview, Brewer emphasized the historical purpose of separating local and national election cycles.
“Most local elections occur on an ‘odd cycle,’” Brewer explained. “The reason for that really goes back to the late 1890s, when what was then the Progressive Party and a reform movement intended to break political corruption. Almost universally, the solution was seen as [a need] to separate out the important issues that are debated and ultimately decided in local elections into odd years so that they would have their own space in the town square to communicate with voters about those important issues.”
Under the EYEL, local contests will appear on ballots dominated by presidential, federal, and statewide races. Brewer argued that this shift burdens core political speech.
“By consolidating thousands of local races beneath high-salience state and federal contests, the Even Year Election Law purposely and effectively subordinates local elections to state and national political dynamics and diminishes the ability of local candidates to reach their constituents,” he said. “By pushing local contests to the bottom of overcrowded ballots, the EYEL reduces visibility, drives up campaign costs, and weakens the connection between candidates and voters.”
Brewer further stated: “The First Amendment protects not just technical ballot access, but meaningful political opportunity and robust debate. When the state deliberately redesigns election mechanics to bury a defined class of candidates and skew democratic competition, it imposes a severe burden on core political speech – and that violates the First Amendment.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James has moved to dismiss the complaint. The case is pending in federal court.
Read the full interview here: Attorney William Brewer on New York’s Even Year Election Law and the First Amendment | First Amendment Watch
Texas Lawyer Reports on Upcoming Trial Over Alleged Misappropriation of Commercial Actress’s Image by Biote-Affiliated Providers
February 17, 2026 – Texas Lawyer reports on upcoming trial proceedings in a lawsuit filed by commercial actress and Brewer client Cindy Latch against nearly two dozen medical providers affiliated with Biote Medical, LLC, a Texas-based hormone therapy company. As reported, Latch alleges that the providers used "her likeness to market their services for years, ignoring contract expirations, written cease-and-desist notices, and ultimately a court injunction."
Trial proceedings against the Biote-affiliated providers are scheduled to begin soon in the 101st Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas.
“These defendants have continued to profit from her likeness despite having no legal right to do so,” said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and counsel for Latch. “Her brand is her currency, and that right is worth fighting for.”
At the heart of the dispute is Latch’s former collaboration with Biote. Under a series of “Image Usage Contracts,” Biote had the right to use Latch’s promotional materials – but only so long as payments were timely and consent remained valid. According to the petition, those contracts expressly required affiliates to remove all content within 30 days after payment ceased or authorization ended.
The lawsuit alleges that when Latch withdrew her consent in 2021 and Biote’s license expired, many affiliated providers ignored the termination and continued using her image. Despite receiving written instructions from Biote to remove the content – and a court-ordered injunction issued on December 9, 2024 – numerous providers allegedly failed to comply.
According to the article, "Brewer said this case is important beyond just the people involved. He called it a sign of how courts and juries might handle image rights violations in the digital age, since social media makes it easier to use content without permission."
Separately, Texas Lawyer reports on an award of fees and costs against Biote related to its outside counsel’s reported abrupt termination of deposition proceedings and evidence gathering as the parties approached trial. In addition to Brewer, Latch is represented by partner Josh Harris and associates Amir Saada and Jordon Smith.
Read the report here: Interrupted Depositions Stall Texas Actress’ Fight Over Her Image | Texas Lawyer