Brewer Foundation Announces Partnership with Howard University Speech and Debate Team
March 19, 2026 — The Brewer Foundation is proud to announce an ongoing partnership with the Howard University Speech and Debate Team (HUSDT) and the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF).
Founded in 2001, the International Public Policy Forum is jointly administered by the Brewer Foundation and New York University and is the world’s only international high school debate competition that combines written and oral advocacy on issues of public policy.
"The IPPF challenges students to think critically and tackle the world's most pressing policy issues," said William A. Brewer III, Chairman of the Brewer Foundation and Founder of the IPPF. "Howard's debate team is among the best in the country, and their involvement strengthens our mission to develop the next generation of advocates."
Each year, teams across the globe submit qualifying round essays starting in October. From the initial round of essays, the "Top 64" teams advance to a single elimination written debate tournament, narrowing the field from 64, to 32, then 16, and ultimately to the "Elite Eight" teams. The "Elite Eight" travel to New York City on an all-expense paid trip, underwritten entirely by the Brewer Foundation, to compete in live oral debates before panels of esteemed judges. The IPPF World Champion takes home the coveted Brewer Cup along with a $10,000 grand prize.
This year, Finals Weekend will be hosted at NYU Law on April 18th, with an educational symposium preceding it on April 17th. HUSDT Director Angela Minor will join four other educational leaders and academics as a panelist at the Symposium and as a judge for the IPPF Final debate. As part of the partnership, Howard debaters serve as judges for the tournament’s written rounds.
Minor reflected on this partnership noting, "We are honored and excited to join the Brewer Foundation and NYU in the IPPF this year. Our debaters look forward to applying their competitive forensics experience to support students across the globe."
This season's focus on the global education crisis — together with the partnership with Howard — reflects the Brewer Foundation's commitment to expanding educational opportunity and civic engagement worldwide.
Brewer Foundation Announces “Elite 8” Teams in the 2025-26 International Public Policy Forum
New York, March 18, 2026 — The Brewer Foundation is pleased to announce the “Elite 8” teams in the 25th anniversary International Public Policy Forum (IPPF). The advancing teams earn an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to compete in the IPPF Finals, where the IPPF World Champions will be awarded a $10,000 grand prize and the coveted Brewer Cup.
Founded in 2001, the IPPF is jointly administered by the Brewer Foundation and New York University and is the world’s only international debate competition that challenges high school students to engage in oral and written debate on matters of public policy.
The annual IPPF began in October where a record-breaking 332 teams from 39 countries submitted qualifying round essays affirming or negating the following: 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.
From there, the “Top 64” competed in a series of single elimination debates, narrowing the field to 32, then 16, and now 8. The “Sweet 16” round began in February, during which the teams exchanged written arguments. A panel of judges evaluated each debate to determine this year’s “Elite 8” teams who hail from schools in three countries and eight U.S. states.
“This year’s ‘Elite 8’ teams demonstrate not only intellectual rigor, but a deep passion and commitment to solving one of the world's most urgent challenges, the global education crisis,” said William A. Brewer III, Chairman of the Brewer Foundation and Founder of the IPPF. “I look forward to welcoming these exceptional young scholars to New York City, where their written arguments will come to life in oral debates.”
Results of the “Sweet 16”:
BASIS International School Shenzhen from Shenzhen, China advances over Kealakehe Public High School from Kailua Kona, Hawaii
Ivy Bridge Academy (Team 1) from Johns Creek, Georgia advances over Jasper High School from Plano, Texas
North Allegheny Senior High School from Wexford, Pennsylvania advances over Pomperaug Regional High School from Southbury, Connecticut
Çevre High School from Istanbul, Turkey advances over Hamilton High School from Chandler, Arizona
Delbarton School from Morristown, New Jersey advances over Ivy Bridge Academy (Team 2) from Johns Creek, Georgia
Millburn High School from Millburn, New Jersey advances over Notre Dame San Jose from San Jose, California
Troy High School from Troy, Michigan advances over Saint Paul Preparatory from Seoul, Republic of Korea
Westwood High School from Austin, Texas advances over Marymount Academy International from Montreal, Canada
The IPPF Finals weekend kicks off on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 4 - 6p.m. at the NYU King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center (KJCC) for an educational symposium, Educating the World: Obligation, Opportunity, or Overreach, where leading topic experts and academics will engage the same topic debated by the students. On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the final debates will be held at the NYU School of Law from 8a.m. – 6:30 p.m. The semifinal and final debates will be livestreamed for those who cannot join in person.
For more information visit www.ippfdebate.com.
For tickets to the Symposium or the IPPF Finals, visit here.
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.