March 27, 2024 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors associate Alexandria Oberman has been named to Law360's 2024 Texas Editorial Advisory Board. The editorial advisory board provides feedback on Law360’s coverage and expert insight on how best to shape future coverage.
Ms. Oberman joined Brewer in 2023 after serving as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Debra H. Lehrmann, Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas. She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.
August 18, 2023 – The Brewer Storefront (“Storefront”) announced a settlement with the Lewisville Independent School District (“Lewisville ISD”) of the Voting Rights Act lawsuit it filed against the school district last year on behalf of plaintiff Paige Dixon. The outcome comes nearly three years after the Storefront sued Lewisville ISD under the Voting Rights Act. The Storefront is the community-service legal affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors.
The agreement resolves all claims against Lewisville ISD. All seven members of Lewisville ISD’s school board are currently elected at-large. The agreement provides for a new electoral system consisting of five single-member districts and two at-large districts. The new election system will include at least one single-member district comprised of a majority of eligible minority voters – paving the way for greater political opportunity in one of the largest and most diverse school districts in North Texas.
“This is an important outcome for our client, the school district, local voters, and all who believe our political systems work best when they are inclusive,” says William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer Storefront. “We applaud the Lewisville ISD school board for agreeing to adopt an electoral system that provides voters of color a fair opportunity to elect candidates of their choosing. We hope the board’s actions are instructive to other school boards and elected bodies.”
Eligible voters residing in each of the five single-member districts will vote for candidates running in that district in which the candidates also reside. The candidates who run for the two at-large seats may live anywhere within the school district. A public hearing to discuss the framework is scheduled for August 28, 2023.
Lewisville ISD is a very diverse school district. According to the Texas Education Agency, as of the 2021-22 school year, the school district enrolled 49,113 students. The majority-minority student body was 36.6% white, 30.7% Hispanic, 15.7% Asian, 12% African American, and 4.6% two or more races. About 33.6% of students were economically disadvantaged and 19.6% were English learners.
This lawsuit had become among the most closely followed cases of its kind. In 2020, a similar lawsuit against LISD was dismissed by a judge who found that the plaintiff, Frank Vaughan, who is white, lacked standing. That decision did not speak to the merits of the argument or whether LISD’s voting system complied with the Voting Rights Act.
“I applaud the pursuit of the prior case – in the interest of the school system and the community it serves,” says Dixon, who is African American. “I appreciate the work of the Storefront and its commitment to this issue, even as it had to travel a long road to secure this outcome. The school board’s decision to change the election system is admirable as well, especially to those of us who believe in the promise of LISD and its future generations. A new day has finally arrived at LISD.”
The Brewer Storefront successfully resolved Voting Rights Act cases with the Richardson Independent School District in 2019, Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District in 2015, Irving Independent School District in 2014, and the Grand Prairie Independent School District in 2014. Those school districts now utilize remodeled voting systems to elect school board trustees. The Storefront also secured trial victories in Voting Rights Act cases against the City of Grand Prairie in 2015, 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.
Joining Brewer in representing Ms. Dixon were Senior Associate Gizem Petrosino, Associate Malvina Palloj, and Public Affairs Manager Katherine Leal Unmuth.
About Brewer Storefront, PLLC:
Brewer Storefront is the community-service legal affiliate of the national litigation firm of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors with offices in Dallas and New York. Founded in 1995, the Brewer Storefront tackles local and national issues, providing legal assistance to a wide range of individuals, business and community entities in need. Visit www.brewerstorefront.com.
August 17, 2023 - Senior Associate Gizem Petrosino has been selected to the fourth edition of the 2024 Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch" in America list. Petrosino earned the recognition in the practice area of Labor and Employment Litigation.
Using a peer review methodology, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognizes relatively younger attorneys for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice. The recipients have typically been in practice for five to nine years. Candidates are nominated, and then go through a rigorous peer review process before being nationally recognized.
Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. A listing in the publication signals not only legal expertise but also ethics and professionalism of the highest caliber.
Petrosino's practice focuses on complex commercial, construction, intellectual property, securities and employment litigation. She has achieved early dismissals and dispositive motion awards, in addition to negotiating favorable settlements for clients. She has admissions in both New York and Texas and has practiced extensively in both jurisdictions and numerous federal and state courts across the nation.
July 17, 2023 - The online business news publication Business Today has named Brewer Partner Cecelia Fanelli one of the Top 10 Most Influential Leisure and Hospitality Lawyers Across the USA.
Business Today states of the top named hospitality lawyers that, "With an in-depth understanding of both domestic and international laws, these lawyers embody expertise and dedication. Possessing a wealth of experience in their respective domains, they provide their clients with valuable advice and guidance. The list below comprises some of the most prominent Leisure & Hospitality lawyers in the United States who are known for their impressive professional capabilities."
The recognition notes that Fanelli, “focuses her reputed practice on dispute resolution for hotel owners and lenders. Known for her involvement in large cases and additional expertise in labor, employment issues, and environmental matters, Cecelia is a recommended hospitality litigator.”
Fanelli is a partner in the New York office and has decades of experience in litigation and dispute resolution, practicing across the country in federal and state trial and appellate courts. She has been lead counsel in numerous domestic and international arbitrations. Ms. Fanelli is also regularly chosen to serve as an arbitrator in high stakes arbitrations, particularly in the hotel, lending, and real estate industries. Her practice involves a variety of complex commercial litigation matters, with an emphasis on matters relating to the hotel and real estate industries. Since 2011, she has been ranked by Chambers USA in the Leisure & Hospitality, Nationwide category.
July 13, 2023 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors has been named to Vault's 2024 "Top 150 Under 150" list. The list recognizes leading small and midsize law firms with 150 or fewer attorneys.
According to Vault, its editors "assessed each firm for prestige, quality of life, and professional growth opportunities and then narrowed down the results to come up with a list of 150 law firms known for providing top-notch service and delivering big results."
Of the Brewer firm, Vault writes, "The firm’s legal team is not afraid to take on complex commercial litigation battles, and its no-holds-barred approach to litigation has earned grudging admiration from its competitors."
Above the Law reported on the national award, and reported that Brewer was among the most recognizable firms on the list.
The firm was also named to Vault's 2019 "Top 150 Under 150" list and to its 2017 "Best Law Firms in Texas" list.
Read more here.
June 15, 2023 – Major legal media outlets are taking notice of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors announcing that starting salaries for new lawyers are being increased to $250,000. Bloomberg Law, Law360 and Above the Law all reported on the big salary news.
Bloomberg observed that the starting salary for associates now exceeds the $215,000 salary level set under the “Cravath scale” that many major law firms use.
“When you start out in a higher place, you are able to contribute more significantly to the firm, your clients and in community impact cases,” partner William Brewer told Bloomberg. “A rising tide lifts all boats, so when we increase pay at the base level, everyone benefits.”
Law360 reported that Brewer said the firm is launching “the most ambitious hiring initiative in the history of our firm.” He added that “Like all self-perceived change agents, we view ourselves differently than the BigLaw crowd.” Brewer stated, “We believe our firm occupies a unique space in the market, hiring top talent and giving them unprecedented opportunity from day one.”
Law360 also reported that as part of the hiring push, the firm hired Matthew Davis as a Dallas partner. Davis stated that he was attracted to the bet-the-business cases and advocacy that have defined the Brewer firm.
Above the Law highlighted that the Brewer firm’s news offered a bright spot as other law firms struggle with layoffs. The article described the firm’s “generous compensation scheme.”
June 13, 2023 –Texas Lawyer reports that, effective immediately, the Brewer firm has increased first-year associate salaries to $250,000. The firm recently announced the hiring of a new Dallas partner, Matthew H. Davis, and is in the midst of expanding its national platform – adding professionals across various sectors.
Founded in 1984, the Brewer firm has a unique staffing model in commercial litigation. The firm is comprised of several professional groups – financial and management consultants, researchers and private investigators, and public affairs strategists – who work with the firm’s lawyers to develop insights that shape case strategy. All the groups are poised for expansion in the firm’s Dallas and New York offices.
The firm continues to promote one of the most aggressive partnership tracks in the nation. Associates who join Brewer are eligible to be promoted to partner after five years.
Brewer told Texas Lawyer, “We are looking for people who want to get out, have a great career, get involved in exciting things…down at the courthouse.”
Speaking of the firm’s hiring initiative, Davis said, “The idea is to expand the Dallas office and really push to grow the association head count. Our intent is to train them and have them stay at the firm through partnership. We plan to be very aggressive in recruiting.”
June 2, 2023 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors today announced the addition of attorney Matthew H. Davis as a Partner in the firm’s Dallas office. Davis specializes in complex business and financial services litigation. He will play leadership roles in case management, attorney training, and an expanding Dallas recruiting initiative.
Prior to joining the firm, Davis worked as an associate and partner for 13 years at Locke Lord LLP. He served as lead counsel in a variety of venues in complex cases involving mortgage lending practices, mortgage banking and servicing, consumer protection, credit reporting practices, and claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), False Claims Act, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), and RICO.
“Matt is an extremely talented litigator and tireless advocate,” said Brewer Managing Partner William A. Brewer III. “His expertise will be valuable in a number of practice areas, and particularly helpful as we grow practice support throughout the Southwest. As our Dallas footprint continues to grow, he will also help direct one of the most ambitious hiring initiatives in the history of our firm.”
“I had a great experience at my prior firm, but viewed this move as the perfect opportunity – a chance to join an entrepreneurial law firm with a national platform,” Davis said. “I’ve always been attracted to bet-the-business cases and the type of advocacy that has come to define Brewer firm. I am also excited to lead recruiting efforts for a true meritocracy – a firm that gives associates the opportunity to assume greater responsibility more quickly than any other firm which practices at this level.”
Davis’ previous clients have included financial institutions, healthcare companies, charitable organizations, quasi-governmental entities, and high-net-worth individuals.
In 2022, Davis was named to the Best Lawyers Under 40 list by D Magazine. He is a fellow at the Dallas Bar Foundation and a member of numerous organizations, including the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Federal Bar Association. He is active in the community, serving as a board member of the Genesis Young Leaders Board for the Genesis Women’s Shelter and a host committee member for the Dallas 24 Hour Club’s All-Star Chef Classic.
Davis received his Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Baylor University.