Nashville Business Journal Reports on Lawsuit Against AJ Capital Affiliate Following Closure of Roosevelt Island Hotel
May 13, 2026 – The Nashville Business Journal reports that Cornell University and ACRES Capital have filed separate lawsuits against an affiliate of AJ Capital Partners following the November 2025 closure of the Graduate by Hilton Roosevelt Island.
Graduate Roosevelt Island Owner LLC entered a 65-year ground lease with Cornell in 2018 to develop and operate the 224-room hotel on Cornell Tech’s campus. The property opened in 2021 and later secured a $76.5 million loan from ACRES in 2022.
According to court filings, ACRES declared a default under the loan agreement in September 2025, alleging the borrower failed to maintain required balances in its debt service reserve account. The hotel ceased operations on November 25, 2025.
ACRES then sued the AJ Capital affiliate that guaranteed the loan pursuant to a Recourse Guaranty, Graduate Hotels Real Estate Fund III, LP Roosevelt Island Owner LLC in New York County Supreme Court, seeking approximately $79.27 million in outstanding principal, accrued and unpaid interest, late charges, and attorneys’ fees.
On April 29, Cornell separately sued the borrower – Cornell’s former tenant – for eviction and for more than $1 million in unpaid rent and lost event revenue. The university’s lawsuit alleges that the hotel closure violated the ground lease agreement and caused substantial harm to the university, its campus operations, and related event activity.
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors partners – William A. Brewer III and Jason Snyder – represent ACRES in the litigation, the Nashville Business Journal writes.
Capital One Donates 30 Laptops to Equip Brewer Foundation's Graduating Seniors for College
Dallas, TX – May 12, 2026 – This fall, every graduate of the Brewer Foundation’s Future Leaders Program (FLP) Class of ‘26 will arrive on campus equipped with the one tool modern higher education assumes: a personal laptop. Thanks to Capital One, the program’s 25th graduating class will receive 30 laptops – one for each high-achieving graduate from the Dallas Independent School District.
The donation fills a gap many first-generation college students face: reliable access to technology. From essay writing to accessing coursework and collaborating with peers, laptops are central to everyday academic work. By providing one to each graduate, Capital One removes an obstacle for these students as they transition to top universities across the country.
"This is a game-changing gift for our students," said William A. Brewer III, chairman of the Brewer Foundation. “Capital One is not just donating technology – they are providing an essential tool our scholars need to excel from day one on their college campuses.” "We are grateful to the entire Capital One team for their partnership and their deep commitment to our Future Leaders,” said Brewer. “Their investment ensures that the promise of the FLP – to prepare students for success in college and beyond – is fulfilled in the most tangible way possible."
Founded in 2001, the Future Leaders Program is the flagship academic and leadership program of the Brewer Foundation, the philanthropic affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. 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.
“This donation is a tangible expression of Capital One's deep commitment to building vibrant, opportunity-rich communities,” Sanjiv Yajnik, President of Financial Services at Capital One, said. “By equipping every graduating Future Leader with a personal laptop, we are providing more than a tool—we are investing in their future success, removing a critical barrier to entry, and empowering the next generation of innovators as they begin their educational career pathways.”
Andrella Thomas, Senior Manager of Social Innovations, commented on the partnership. "At Capital One, we are committed to investing in the communities we serve and creating pathways to socioeconomic opportunity. The Brewer Foundation's Future Leaders Program has a remarkable, proven track record of changing lives. We are proud to support these impressive young leaders and are confident that providing them with this technology will empower them to achieve great things in their academic and professional careers."
About the Brewer Foundation
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).
LTV's East End News Interview Brewer Clients on Devastating Southampton Golf Cart Crash
May 8, 2026 — John Mascali and Heather Dailey, along with their lead counsel William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, discussed the harrowing events underlying their pending suits against Garrett Huff and his parents, Craig Allen Huff and Jacqueline Tracey Huff, in an interview airing on LTV's East End News, hosted by Christine Sampson.
On the night of August 3, 2024, Garrett Huff drove his family-owned golf cart at high speed exiting the family's Southampton estate, causing the vehicle to flip while taking an unexpected sharp turn.
The crash ejected both Mascali and Dailey onto the pavement. Both were knocked unconscious. Mascali sustained spinal fractures. Dailey required five staples to close a head wound and continues to suffer from debilitating migraines.
The plaintiffs experienced multiple traumatic injuries, including neurological impairment, chronic pain, and other long-term medical complications.
The suits, filed in Suffolk County Supreme Court, also name Garrett's parents, Craig Allen Huff and Jacqueline Tracey Huff, as defendants on claims including negligent entrustment.
Watch the full interview.
NFL Star and Former FLP Student Aaron Brewer Donates $25,000 to Brewer Foundation
DALLAS, TX – May 8, 2026 – Aaron Brewer, an NFL player and former student of the Future Leaders Program (FLP), donated $25,000 to the Brewer Foundation in honor of the program’s 25th anniversary.
Brewer – an offensive lineman and team captain for the Miami Dolphins – participated in FLP during his time in the Dallas Independent School District, prior to pursuing his college and professional career. His gift will support the academic resources, debate training, and leadership programming that are hallmarks of the FLP.
"We are immensely proud of Aaron, not only for his achievements on the football field, but for the leader and role model he has become off the field," said William A. Brewer III, chairman of the Brewer Foundation. "Aaron's journey reflects the mission of the Future Leaders Program: to provide a platform where talent and hard work leads to extraordinary success. His generous gift is more than a donation – it is a powerful message to our current students that giving back is the ultimate mark of leadership."
Founded in 2001, the Future Leaders Program is the flagship academic and leadership program of the Brewer Foundation, the philanthropic affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. 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.
"The skills I learned in the FLP—discipline, critical thinking, and the ability to articulate a position under pressure—are things I use every single day in the NFL and in life," said Aaron Brewer. "The program gave me the confidence to compete at the highest level, both academically and athletically. I am blessed to be in a position to give back and to invest in the next generation of leaders from Dallas. My hope is that this gift helps provide the same opportunity for another young person that was provided to me."
About the Brewer Foundation:
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).
William (Bill) Brewer Writes for Bloomberg Law on Arbitration Process – and Its Weaknesses and Risks
May 7, 2026 – In a Bloomberg Law commentary, partner William (Bill) Brewer examines the arbitration process and how its defining virtues – informality and finality – have become its greatest weaknesses. Against the backdrop of the case Hurley v. Emigrant Bank, Brewer explores how the arbitration panel reached a finding of wrongdoing but awarded no remedies. Brewer was counsel to Hurley in the arbitration and related proceedings.
Brewer comments on how the tribunal awarded Hurley no damages, reasoning that determining and then allocating damages among the actors involved would be “impermissibly speculative.” Brewer writes, “That outcome ran headlong into settled law. Both Delaware and New York recognize the wrongdoer rule: When misconduct makes damages difficult to measure, that uncertainty must be borne by the wrongdoer, not the victim.”
Brewer compares and contrasts the outcome in Hurley with another case involving Milstein-controlled entities and Jack Nicklaus. That case resulted in $50 million in damages. Brewer explains the cases had similar factual patterns, but the latter took place in open court.
Brewer writes, “The lesson from Hurley, viewed alongside Nicklaus, is simple: The forum can matter as much as the facts. Without a meaningful judicial backstop, arbitration risks being a forum where wrongdoing is found but let go. The Hurley decision should be a warning to those who sign arbitration agreements expecting a predictable process guided by the law.”
Brewer continues, “When a tribunal finds clear wrongdoing but fails to award damages based on a misapplication of law, the process is no longer predictable justice – it is a high-stakes gamble.”
Read more here.
Texas Tribune Reports on Voting Rights Act, Brewer Storefront Voting Rights Advocacy
May 5, 2026 — The Texas Tribune reports today on potential impacts to the local political landscape following a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that significantly changed a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. (The reporting also appears in VoteBeat – a public service news platform that reports on voting rights.)
The article, “Voting Rights Act ruling could change representation on city councils, school boards across Texas,” explores successful voting rights cases pursued by the Brewer Storefront, the community service legal affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. Former Storefront plaintiff Guillermo Ramos discusses the positive impacts to his local school board, following a voting rights lawsuit and resolution that resulted in cumulative voting.
As reported, the recent Supreme Court ruling raises the bar for proving discrimination under Section 2, now requiring plaintiffs to demonstrate intentional discrimination rather than disparate impact alone – a change that could make it far harder for minority voters to challenge electoral systems that dilute their representation.
As reported, Dallas attorney Bill Brewer, whose firm has filed at least 18 Voting Rights Act lawsuits against Texas school districts and city councils, sees a silver lining: the new standard’s focus on intent may actually strengthen the ability to obtain internal communications and records that reveal discriminatory purpose.
The Storefront’s lawsuit against Keller ISD was dismissed, but the Storefront and client Claudio Vallejo have filed an appeal.
“If they’re refusing to change because they intend to dilute opportunities for Hispanics or Blacks or Asians at the voting box, well, then you still have a claim under Section 2,” Brewer said.
Read more:
Texas Tribune: Voting Rights Act ruling could change local Texas boards, councils
The Real Deal Reports on Lawsuit Against AJ Capital Affiliate Over Abandoned Roosevelt Island Hotel
April 23, 2026 – The Real Deal reports that an affiliate of lender ACRES Capital, represented by Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, filed suit against an affiliate of AJ Capital Partners seeking more than $79 million after the Graduate by Hilton on Roosevelt Island, New York had its ground lease terminated by Cornell University.
The action comes nearly six months after the hotel ceased operating – during which time Hilton continued to portray the property on its booking site as “sold out.”
AMF Levered II, LLC and ACRES Real Estate SPE 10, LLC filed a Motion for Summary Judgment in Lieu of Complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Commercial Division on Wednesday, against Graduate Hotels Real Estate Fund III LP — an AJ Capital Partners entity and the guarantor of an over $76 million commercial mortgage loan secured by a leasehold interest in the Graduate by Hilton on Roosevelt Island.
The Graduate by Hilton on Cornell Tech's campus — Roosevelt Island's only hotel — opened in 2021 and closed in November 2025. The 224-key, 18-story property operated under a 65-year ground lease signed in 2018. Following a series of defaults, Cornell University terminated that ground lease on April 9, 2026 – which set the stage for ACRES to seek the full value of the debt from the guarantor.
According to court documents filed in New York State Supreme Court, the borrower failed to maintain required debt service reserve accounts, failed to pay lenders' fees associated with loan workout requests, and failed to make utility payments to Cornell University — multiple defaults that ultimately led to the termination of the ground lease.
"AJ Capital shut down the only hotel on Roosevelt Island, turned Union employees out of work, walked away from its obligations to Cornell University, and attempted to leave its lender holding the bag on almost $80 million," said William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and lead counsel for Plaintiffs.
"Graduate Hotels Real Estate Fund III LP signed a guaranty that waives every defense to collection when Cornell's termination of the ground lease — caused directly by AJ Capital's abandonment of the property — fired the full recourse trigger,” Mr. Brewer added. "The documentary record leaves no room for argument. It is now time for the guarantor to fulfill its own obligation.”
The action was filed as a Motion for Summary Judgment, reflecting the Plaintiffs' position that the facts and documents leave no triable issues. The plaintiffs are seeking more than $79 million.
2026 International Debate Champions Crowned: North Allegheny Senior High School Wins IPPF Title, $10,000 Prize
New York, New York — April 20, 2026 — After six months of debate, North Allegheny Senior High School from Wexford, Pennsylvania triumphed in the 25th annual Brewer Foundation / New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) Finals — earning the coveted title of IPPF World Champion and a $10,000 grand prize from the Brewer Foundation.
The final debate, held Saturday, April 18, at NYU School of Law in New York City, concluded the largest competition in the IPPF’s history beginning with 332 teams from 39 countries including Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, China, and Japan, among others.
This year’s resolution challenged teams to address the global education crisis, 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 the original pool of 332 teams, 64 advanced into a rigorous single-elimination written debate tournament. The “Elite Eight” earned an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City as guests of the Brewer Foundation to engage in high-stakes, in-person debates before a panel of global experts.
Topic experts, former IPPF champions, and guests from around the world attended the final debate.
“This year’s IPPF World Champions showcased a command of the topic, offered a credible plan to address the problem and defended it with passion," said William A. Brewer III, chairman of the Brewer Foundation and founder of the IPPF.
Brewer added, “The IPPF pushes students to confront the world’s most pressing issues—from nuclear proliferation to climate change, and now, the global education crisis. This year’s competitors answered that call.”
The winning team, coached by Dominic Moore and composed of students Sanjeev Arora, Kaartic Muralidharan, Eric Peng, Aayushi Vardhan, Samuel Xiao, and Casey Yan bested top contenders in the quarterfinals and semifinals before defeating Millburn High School from Millburn, New Jersey in the final round.
In addition to being part of the IPPF World Champion team, Sanjeev Arora, a junior from North Allegheny Senior High School, won the John E. Sexton Award and a $1,000 prize for exceptional performance during the final debate.
Awards:
Runner Up: Millburn High School from Millburn, New Jersey ($5,000 prize)
Semifinalists: Westwood High School from Austin, Texas, and Ivy Bridge Academy from Johns Creek, Georgia ($3,000 prize each)
Quarterfinalists: BASIS International School Shenzhen from Shenzhen, China; Çevre High School from Istanbul, Turkey; Delbarton School from Morristown, New Jersey; Troy High School from Troy, Michigan; ($1,500 prize each)
Judging Panel:
The final debate judges included Brewer Foundation Chairman William A. Brewer III; NYU President Emeritus John Sexton; Executive Director of the United World Colleges Faith Abiodun; Director of the MLK Jr. Forensics Program at Howard University Angela D. Minor; Miha Andric, an international debate coach and Director of Education Center Argument based in Slovenia; Alex Pouille, Zone Europe Chief Financial Officer for Anheuser-Busch InBev; and Director of NYU Global TIES for Children Dr. Florencia Lopez-Boo.
Will Baker, famed debate coach, Director of the NYU Global Debate Fund and member of the IPPF Advisory Board served as moderator for the final debate.
About the IPPF and the Brewer Foundation:
The IPPF was founded in 2001 by the Brewer Foundation and is jointly administered with New York University. The program is available to all high schools around the world. The IPPF is endorsed by leading forensic agencies, such as the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues, the International Debate Education Association, the Impact Coalition, Associated Leaders of Urban Debate Leagues, and the National Debate Coaches Association.
The Brewer Foundation is a private, non-profit organization funded by companies, individuals and the national litigation firm of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. With offices in New York and Dallas, the Foundation has achieved widespread recognition for its efforts to create, fund and manage a variety of educational outreach programs.