HISTORY
Driven to achieve success in every case
Relentless and innovative, the Firm’s story is defined by a pioneering spirit, an unparalleled track record, and a commitment to excellence.
1984
Bickel & Brewer (now Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors) is founded in Dallas, TX. Pursuing an aggressive, business-savvy approach, the Firm immediately challenges the local legal establishment with its dogged approach to advocacy and zealous commitment to its clients.
1986
The Firm opens its New York City office. Dubbed “The Mouse that Roars” by The American Lawyer, the Firm generates national headlines by offering base salaries in both Dallas and New York that exceed the elite national firms.
1990
The Firm launches its in-house Consulting Group, bringing together professionals with backgrounds in business, accounting, information technology, and economics. Litigation consultants fully integrate with the legal team and provide critical analysis of economic, technical, and industrial impacts of each case.
1990
The National Law Journal describes the firm as “Dallas’ brash young upstarts” – taking on the legal establishment with high pay and “hardball tactics.” The journal highlights the Firm’s oral advocacy program, including its mock courtroom, where the firm’s Spartan Creed is realized in trial preparation, as well as its embrace of heart-pounding advocacy.
1990
The Firm’s zealous approach to litigation is profiled in “The Litigation Explosion,” authored by Walter K. Olson. In this bestselling attack on the American dispute resolution model, the author described the Firm as defining the utter-aggressive new style of litigation.
1990
The Firm underwrites the adoption of the snake collection at the Dallas Zoo through the Adopt-an-Animal program. The contribution is made on St. Patrick’s Day – when legend has it that the snakes were driven out of Ireland. The Wall Street Journal reports that a zoo spokesperson said that snakes were the least popular animals, “so we really appreciate the law firm doing that.”
1990
The Dallas Times Herald writes that the Firm gains client admiration “for a win-at-all-costs strategy” and dubs the firm as “Courtroom Ninjas.”
1990
Dallas Life Magazine spotlights “the Rambo Boys” and the Firm’s approach to handling bet-the-business litigation. As the Firm moves into the new decade, it focuses on expanding its profile globally, introducing management innovations, and adding to its all-star roster of clients.
1991
The Firm again redefines the landscape in an industry – this time, hospitality – with a successful outcome in Woolley v. Embassy Suites. The California Court of Appeals agrees with the Firm and its client, hotel industry pioneer Robert E. Woolley, and rules in this seminal case that hotel managers owe fiduciary duties to the owners. The ruling defines the principles that guide the relationship between owners and management company to this day. The case is studied in virtually every corner of the industry.
1992
In a speech at the American Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., William Brewer comments, “The demise of the hourly system was inevitable, clients distrust lawyers who bill by the hour, and with good reason…. Corporate clients are doing what anyone should expect a business to do: responding by initiating changes that make bottom-line business sense and getting out from under what has been a frustrating relationship with outside counsel…. Legal services are a means to an end. Clients ultimately want results and – not surprisingly – they do not want to pay excessive legal fees to obtain those results. Clients seek predictability, accountability and productivity.”
1995
The Brewer Storefront, the Firm’s community impact advocacy affiliate, opens in South Dallas and is named for its original “Storefront” location on MLK Jr. Boulevard. Staffed by Firm volunteers, the Storefront is established in response to the widening gap between the need for quality legal services and the accessibility of such services to economically and socially disadvantaged sections of the community, particularly South Dallas.
1995
The Brewer Foundation is founded, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. Funded, in part, by attorneys’ fees awarded in successful Storefront cases, the Foundation supports a range of community initiatives, with an emphasis on educational and enrichment programs for young people.
1995
Seeking to leverage the global talent pool, the Firm opens I & A International, an offshore affiliate in Hyderabad, India. Staffed by Indian attorneys and business professionals, I & A International provides advanced legal support for the Firm and its clients at a reduced cost.
1998
The Dallas Observer writes that the Firm forever changed the Dallas legal establishment with its advocacy, which it dubs “Rambo Justice” – for impact on its clients and the community. The article notes, “…among the Fortune 500 clients they sought to woo, the firm built a solid reputation as a passionate advocate that would zealously represent their rights – willing to ‘leave no stone unturned’…and do whatever it took to win – and win big.”
1999
The Brewer Storefront secures the right for wheelchair athletes to compete alongside their running counterparts in the famed New York City Marathon. Plaintiffs alleged discrimination and violation of the American with Disabilities Act. This historic outcome overcame years of frustration and discrimination that prevented these athletes from enjoying their own division and competing for awards and prizes.
2001
The firm represents RSR Corp., the largest producer of lead in the world, in a lawsuit against A.I.U. Insurance Co. in Harrison County, State Court. RSR obtains significant settlements from approximately 50 insurance carriers in connection with coverage for several environmental sites across the United States.
2001
The Future Leaders Program (FLP) is founded by the Brewer Foundation. Designed to help prepare its “future leaders” within DISD for success in college and beyond, FLP brings together educators from both public and private schools to provide an educational and leadership development curriculum throughout the year. Recognized by the Texas State Board of Education and the Texas Governor’s Office, FLP is emerging as a national model of public-private partnerships.
2001
The International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) is founded by the Brewer Foundation, and later is jointly administered with New York University. The competition is the only contest that gives high school students from around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of global public policy. Recent topics address issues relating to climate change, refugees, and nuclear weapons.
2001
Recognizing the growing influence of public perception on advocacy, the Firm launches its in-house Public Affairs Group. The group specializes in crisis management, regulatory affairs, media relations, and storytelling to help clients and the Firm’s legal team navigate reputational challenges and shape key narratives in the Firm’s complex and high stakes matters.
2004
The Firm successfully represents the former CEO of Mary Kay, Inc. in a high-profile dispute with the company’s board of directors. Since then, the Firm continues to represent corporate executives and boards in significant matters relating to governance, shareholder disputes, and corporate management.
2004
The Firm represents Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. in a dispute with Aoki Corporation in New York State Court. In October 2004, the Firm resolves the largest breach of fiduciary duty case between the prior owners of the Westin Hotel chain and Starwood. The matter is resolved without the payment of any money by Starwood. The case involved claims of mismanagement at seven hotels operated by Starwood. Plaintiffs alleged hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.
2005
The Firm establishes the former Bickel & Brewer Latino Institute for Human Rights at New York University School of Law, with the aim of positively effecting change in our nation’s Latino communities. Over the course of its existence, the Institute provided many full-tuition scholarships to NYU Law students preparing for public service careers in Latino communities. The Institute also held conferences focusing on topics such as voting rights and immigration.
2005
The Foundation launches a Summer Internship Program to benefit, in part, the graduates of the Future Leaders Program. FLP Interns assist with research and case analysis, furthering their vocational understanding. Today, the Firm’s intern program has expanded to provide opportunities to more than a dozen college students each summer.
2006
The Firm launches its in-house Investigative Group, a team of experienced professionals with backgrounds in law enforcement, investigation, journalism, and government. Charged with uncovering evidence key to shaping narratives of our cases, the group immediately becomes a vital force in advocacy and a powerful asset in the Firm’s strategic arsenal.
2006
The Firm represents Westin Realty Corp. v. Kalmia Investors LLC in a proceeding before the American Arbitration Association in Seattle. The Firm obtains an award in defense of limited partner’s claims – following allegations that Starwood was cheating its owners in virtually all aspects of its management. Working on behalf of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., and its ownership and management of two Westin hotels, the Firm defeated its opponent on every claim.
2007
The Firm represents Brunswick Bowling & Billiards Corp. in an arbitration proceeding in Hong Kong, where Shanghai Zhonglu Industrial Co. sought more than $100 million from Brunswick based on claims for breach of conduct, violations of antitrust laws, and tortious conduct. Following an eight-week final hearing before three arbitrators, the arbitration panel unanimously rejects all of Zhonglu’s claims and enters an award for Brunswick.
2009
The Brewer Storefront challenges the at-large voting method of electing members of the City Council in the Dallas suburb of Irving, Texas. On July 15, 2009, following a four-day bench trial, U.S. District Court Judge Jorge A. Solis ruled that the city of Irving was in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The case has national significance given the prevalence of these pernicious voting schemes as a means of preventing participation of Latinos and other minorities in local governance.
2011
The Firm represents M Waikiki LLC in a high-profile dispute with Marriott International. The Firm’s client owned a Honolulu, Hawaii, resort and sued in connection with its 2011 termination of long-term hotel management agreement with Edition, the lifestyle hotel brand of Marriott International. This representation includes ousting Edition from the property and installing a new management company at the resort.
2012
The Firm successfully represents 3M Company in shareholder litigation in Delaware Chancery Court, which relates to 3M’s acquisition of Cogent, Inc. Cogent shareholders filed a purported class action lawsuit in which they sought to enjoin the $900 million merger. After expedited discovery and briefing, on October 5, 2010, the Court denied Plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction.
2012
The Firm scores a landmark Voting Rights Act win against the City of Farmers Branch, Texas. The trial verdict paves the way for the first Latina to be elected in the history of the Farmers Branch City Council.
2013
The Firm represents New York University in connection with a congressional inquiry relating to its compensation policies. Working with Congressional staffers, senior levels of the University administration, and media outlets like The New York Times, the Firm successfully resolves the inquiry and helps the University neutralize public backlash. By doing so, the Firm helps protect the global brand of NYU, restores the confidence of faculty, alumni and donors, and positions the University favorably with key stakeholders in Washington, D.C., New York City, and beyond.
2013
The Firm successfully represents 3M Company in trial proceedings against Meda AB in the Southern District of New York. Meda purchased 3M’s European pharmaceutical business for $854 million. Meda, represented by Quinn Emanuel Urquart & Sullivan, LLP, then sued 3M – seeking more than $200 million based on claims for fraud and breach of contract. Following a nine-day bench trial in January 2013, the court rejects all of Meda’s claims and enters judgment for 3M.
2013
The Dallas Morning News profiles the Future Leaders Program in the article, “Setting Their Futures on Fire: Equal Opportunity is Goal of Law Firm’s Leadership Program,” dated January 6, 2013. The article explores this rare public-private partnership, stating that the program crosses “fault lines between rich and poor, between life south and north of the Trinity River.”
2014
The Firm reaches final resolution of its challenge of unconstitutional “immigration ordinances” adopted in the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch, Texas – a case that captures national headlines. The ordinances required renters in Farmers Branch to register their presence and prove they were legal residents in order to obtain an occupancy license. On March 3, 2014, the United States Supreme Court denied certiorari of an appeal by the City of Farmers Branch, marking the end of a successful eight-year long campaign. The courts agreed that the ordinances were preempted by federal law and attempted to regulate immigration, which can only be performed by the federal government.
2014
The Firm prevails at trial in November 2014 on behalf of FLIR and its subsidiary, Indigo Systems, against Raytheon Company. Following a 14-day trial in the United States District Court, Eastern District, Sherman, Texas, a jury rejects Raytheon’s allegation that Indigo and FLIR misappropriated 31 trade secrets owned by Raytheon. The jury determines that 27 of the 31 alleged trade secrets were not trade secrets and that neither FLIR nor Indigo misappropriated any of them. Raytheon sought more than $650 million for unjust enrichment, but no damages were awarded against FLIR and Indigo.
2015
The Firm changes its name to Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and moves its Dallas office to the 59th and 60th floors of Comerica Bank Tower.
2015
The Brewer Storefront is honored at the Texas Lawyer 2015 Litigation Department of the Year Awards. The Storefront is recognized as a winner in the immigration category for the defeat of unconstitutional immigration ordinances passed by the City of Farmers Branch, Texas. During the same period, the Texas Lawbook profiles the Firm’s continuing success in the public service arena.
2015
The Brewer Storefront successfully represents Jim’s Shoe Repair, a family-owned cobbling business that is only weeks away from losing the Midtown Manhattan location it had occupied since 1940. The Storefront represents Jim’s in the courtroom, pro bono, and engineers a grassroots petition drive to save the business. The Firm aids Jim’s in seeking landmark designation and represents the business in ensuing litigation in New York Supreme Court against the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Jim’s and its landlord, SL Green Realty Corp., resolved matters regarding the lease agreement and the eviction proceedings were dismissed.
2016
The Firm helps manage a team that plans, files, and prevails in a three-year case against the States of Guernsey that centers on Guernsey’s use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and allegations that the 3M product polluted the island’s drinking water, which is contiguous to the Guernsey Airport. At trial in the High Court of Justice for England and Wales, 3M successfully argues that Guernsey failed to follow safety instructions and routinely discharged AFFF into the environment. Three weeks into the trial, Guernsey dismisses its claims with prejudice and agrees to make a substantial contribution to 3M’s legal costs.
2017
The Firm defends Headington Realty and other parties in District Court in Dallas County, Texas, 68th Judicial District in a high-profile real estate dispute. The Firm successfully represents Defendants against a lawsuit filed by an affiliate of real estate company Forest City, FC WP Building LLC. The lawsuit alleges that the development of new luxury retail boutique Forty Five Ten on Main Street in downtown Dallas would harm the neighboring Wilson Building owned by the affiliate of Forest City. The parties reached a settlement in April 2017.
2018
The Firm successfully represents the owners of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa against a well-known national construction company, Layton Construction – defending against claims for breach of contract and wrongful termination, as well as prosecuting claims for termination for cause. The client is also awarded attorneys’ fees and costs.
2019
The Firm on behalf of the NRA, prevails over the City of San Francisco as the city abandons its attempt to blacklist contractors linked to the city. In a case that captured national headlines, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors issued a memorandum striking down the controversial city resolution that called for vendors to be investigated for ties to the NRA. The NRA had challenged the resolution in all legal and public forums, urging San Francisco’s federal court to “step in and instruct elected officials that freedom of speech means you cannot silence or punish those with whom you disagree.”
2019
The Storefront settles Voting Rights Act and Texas Open Meetings Act lawsuits brought against the Richardson Independent School District filed on behalf of Plaintiff and former Richardson ISD school board trustee David Tyson, Jr. The settlement results in greater political opportunity by replacing the district’s at-large election system with a new system consisting of five single-member districts and two at-large districts. The new election system also includes two single-member districts, each comprised of a majority of eligible minority voters. The Richardson ISD school board additionally agrees to complete training to help ensure its compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act at an open board meeting in 2019.
2020
The National Rifle Association successfully resolves an insurance investigation by the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) via a settlement relating to its affinity-insurance inquiry. The NRA resolved the matter without an admission by the Association of misconduct on its part. Importantly, no NRA money was used to fund the payment to DFS. William Brewer, counsel to the NRA, called the outcome a “resounding win for the NRA” and added that, “The DFS inquiry, which began with a roar, ends with a whimper. Not a penny of NRA money will directly or indirectly fund this settlement, and the settlement has no adverse impact on the NRA’s legal cases in the State of New York. Those important cases are moving forward as planned.”
2022
Brewer client, the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), scores a major legal victory, as a New York court strikes down attempts by the New York Attorney General to dissolve the 150-year-old organization. The Wall Street Journal calls the outcome “a big win” for the Association, as William Brewer comments, "We applaud the court’s recognition that dissolution is neither appropriate nor justified. We look forward to continuing the defense of the NRA – and proving that it acts in the best interests of its members and the Second Amendment freedoms in which they believe.”
2022
The Brewer Foundation commissions a special art project to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 on display at the 9/11 Memorial& Museum in January 2022. The Sculpture piece “YZKAR,” is a pair of bronze-cast lights created by artist Tobi Kahn from the last known pieces of steel recovered from Ground Zero in New York. The steel pieces were provided to the artist by The Port Authority/Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), in coordination with NYU President Emeritus John Sexton. Companion Pieces of the artwork are on display at the Grey Art Gallery at New York University.
2023
The Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) is awarded the Emmett J. Conrad Extra Mile Award on May 4, 2023, during the Dallas Independent School District “State of the District” annual celebration. FLP is selected for its “outstanding ongoing support of Dallas ISD.” The award is named for the late Emmett J. Conrad, who, as a Dallas ISD board member, Texas School Board Trustee, and community icon, championed community support for public schools. The award is traditionally presented to an individual or group whose efforts have served several schools or students.
2023
The Storefront successfully resolves a Voting Rights Act lawsuit brought against the Lewisville Independent School District (LISD) filed on behalf of plaintiff and former school board candidate Paige Dixon. The settlement paves the way for a new school board electoral system that includes five single member districts, including one minority opportunity district, and two at-large positions. The new election system provides greater opportunity to communities of interest within LISD. In 2020, a similar lawsuit against LISD brought by the Storefront was dismissed by a judge who found that the plaintiff, Frank Vaughan, who is white, lacked standing. The 2023 decision vindicates the Storefront’s position that LISD’s previous at-large election system denied fair representation to voters of color.
2024
The Brewer Storefront announces the Texas Voting Rights Initiative — a statewide effort focused on ensuring that Texas school boards operate in compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The TVRI analyzes voting systems used for electing school board trustees and city council members across Texas, advances written scholarship, and pursues legal action to uphold and strengthen voting rights.
2024
On May 30, 2024, Brewer client, the NRA, scores a historic legal victory in one of the most closely followed First Amendment cases in the nation.
In a stinging rebuke of New York’s “blacklisting campaign” against the NRA, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled for the NRA in its case against former New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Maria T. Vullo. The decision remands the NRA’s case to the lower court – reviving the NRA’s claims that Vullo, at the behest of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, violated the NRA’s First Amendment rights when she urged banks and insurers to cut ties with the NRA in 2018.
2024
The Firm achieves a major legal victory on behalf of the NRA in July 2024 when a New York Supreme Court Justice rejected the New York Attorney General’s (NYAG) demands that a compliance monitor be appointed to oversee the historic gun rights organization. The New York Times reported it was a “win” for the gun rights group and the “beginning of the end of a four-year-old case…”
In August 2020, NYAG Letitia James filed a “dissolution lawsuit” against the NRA – a case that sought to shut down the Association and seize its assets. Four years later, following trial proceedings, Justice Joel M. Cohen rejected the NYAG’s demands for a compliance monitor and instead recommended the NRA and NYAG confer to consent to further governance reforms. In accordance with the court’s direction, the NRA will suggest additional reforms in furtherance of its ongoing commitment to good governance.
