News Release: Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors Names Cecelia L. Fanelli Partner and Expands Hospitality Practice

New York, NY… September 9, 2020 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors announced the addition of veteran hospitality attorney Cecelia L. Fanelli as a Partner in the firm’s New York office.    

Fanelli is recognized as a leader in her field – achieving successful outcomes in some of the world’s most prominent hospitality cases. 

“Cecelia’s considerable experience and winning track record are a huge asset for our clients in the hospitality sector and beyond,” said firm partner William A. Brewer III. “We are pleased to welcome her to our firm – and eager to continue the growth and expansion of our hospitality practice group.”    

“This is an exciting time to join the Brewer firm – as it helps a growing roster of hospitality clients navigate unprecedented legal and business challenges,” Fanelli said. “The Brewer firm shares in my commitment to be at the leading edge of advocacy for owners, managers, and investors.”  

Fanelli has served as an arbitrator in high stakes matters, particularly in the hotel industry. Since 2011, Chambers USA has ranked her in the Leisure & Hospitality, Nationwide category.    

Her clients previously have included hotel owners, lenders, franchisees, franchisors, asset managers and management companies. Her successes include obtaining several multimillion-dollar recoveries in hotel industry and real estate litigation.    

Additionally, Fanelli is active in transactions relating to hotel assets, including the negotiation and drafting of management agreements.   

Fanelli has been named a Dean’s Distinguished Lecturer at the Cornell Hotel School. Fanelli received her Juris Doctor degree from Cornell Law School and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She was previously a Member at Eckert Seamans. 

Cecelia L. Fanelli

Partner

William Brewer Writes About the Responsibilities of Hotel Owners and Management Companies for Hotel Business Review

Managing Partner William Brewer wrote an article for Hotel Business Review published on July 26, 2020, titled “History Lesson: Owners and Management Companies Weigh Responsibilities and Risks in Response to COVID-19.”  

In part, Brewer writes: “Today, the chain brand hotel companies (e.g., Marriott, Hilton, IHG, etc.) represent 69% of the rooms in supply. They do so through a variety of brands, spread over different price strata, offering different levels of facilities and services to their guests. Although the traveling public may not realize it, the brands rarely own any of the hotels within their 'chain' of distribution. Rather, the owner of the hotel is either a licensee or the principal who has contracted for the asset to be managed by the brand. This was not always so.” 

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Brewer writes that, "In times of uncertainty, the fiduciary obligations of every hotel operator should take on increased significance. As the pandemic continues to wreak economic havoc globally, and with a possible continued recession around the corner, hotel operators have a legal responsibility to their owners to give immediate attention to particular issues that may arise over the course of the hotel's operation and management. A failure to uphold these duties may result in an owner's loss of trust and confidence in the operator's management, and operators who breach their fiduciary duties will entitle owners to terminate their hotel management agreements with immediate effect."

Brewer is a frequent contributor to Hotel Business Review, and serves as featured “guest author” of the publication. Visit the publication and most recent article here.