San Antonio Express-News Reports on Local High School Advancing into the Top 32 Round of the IPPF

January 10, 2025 — The San Antonio Express-News today reported that a team of students from Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas, have advanced into the Top 32 round of the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) — a high school debate contest sponsored by the Brewer Foundation and New York University. 

By advancing, the team remains eligible to win a $10,000 grand prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to the IPPF Finals in New York City this May.  

The report notes that the contest began in October, when 283 teams submitted qualifying round essays on the topic, "Resolved: Equitable access to pharmaceuticals should be prioritized over intellectual property rights." 

"We commend all the advancing teams for their achievement on this global stage," said William A. Brewer III, chairman of the Brewer Foundation and founder of the IPPF. "This is among the most complex and pressing issues on which our students have ever debated. As advocates, our law firm started this competition with a vision to promote what we see here — an extraordinary level of academic research, scholarship, and discourse." 

The publication reports that the Brewer Foundation created the IPPF in 2001 to "inspire students to think critically and develop skills to make a broader impact. The competition went global in 2009 and today attracts thousands of high school debaters worldwide."

To read the full report, click here (subscription required). 

Brewer Foundation, NYU Announce "Top 32" Teams Advancing in International Debate Competition

January 8, 2025 — The Brewer Foundation and New York University (NYU) recently announced which high school debate teams have advanced into the "Top 32" round of the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) — the first and only contest that gives students the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.

The IPPF's 24th annual contest began in October 2024 as 283 teams, representing schools in 26 countries, submitted qualifying round essays affirming or negating the IPPF topic, “Resolved: Equitable access to pharmaceuticals should be prioritized over protecting intellectual property rights.” Those essays were reviewed by a committee, which determined the “Round of 64” teams based on the overall quality of each 3,000-word essay.

In November, the “Round of 64” teams began a single-elimination, written debate tournament. Each team was assigned a position (affirmative or negative) and then volleyed papers back and forth with another team via email. A panel of judges reviewed the essays in the order they were presented and selected the advancing 32 teams.  

“We commend all the advancing teams for their achievement on this global stage,” says William A. Brewer III, chairman of the Brewer Foundation and founder of the IPPF. “This is among the most complex and pressing issues on which our students have ever debated. As advocates, our law firm started this competition with a vision to promote what we see here – an extraordinary level of academic research, scholarship, and discourse.”   

The advancing "Top 32" teams represent schools in 15 U.S. states and nine countries, including Poland and the United Arab Emirates. 

The "Top 32" round of the contest is now underway. To view a complete list of the advancing teams, visit https://www.ippfdebate.com/announcing-the-2024-25-top-32. 

Pressure is a Privilege: A Look Back at 2024

December 31, 2024 — Built with the conviction that “pressure is a privilege,” Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors faced significant challenges in 2024 and delivered outstanding results in courtrooms, boardrooms, and the communities we proudly serve.

Achievements for Our Clients: This year, we successfully concluded our multi-year defense of a major client against multiple attempts by the New York Attorney General to "eliminate" that client. For that same client we achieved a unanimous 9-0 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, which vacated a ruling by the Second Circuit that dismissed First Amendment claims against a public official who conspired with others to financially destroy our client. And - along the way - our high-stakes advocacy nationwide also resulted in over $200 million in awards and settlements for our other commercial clients.

Contributions to Our Community: The Brewer Storefront, our community impact legal affiliate, achieved significant victories. We successfully represented a senior citizen who was the victim of an elaborate financial scam. We pursued several cases to protect voting rights against school board voting schemes that diluted the votes of citizens of color throughout Texas, and we initiated a comprehensive statewide effort to ensure that Texas school boards operate in compliance with the Voting Rights Act.

Strengthening Partnerships: Showcasing the continued strength of the Brewer Foundation’s partnership with New York University, the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) began its 24th year of inviting high school students around the world to engage in written and oral debates on public policy issues. The 2025 competition is ongoing and involves more than 300 high schools and thousands of students globally.

Fostering the Next Generation: In 2024, the Brewer Foundation’s Future Leaders Program provided essential leadership and academic development to more than 200 students from the Dallas Independent School District. The Future Leaders Program equips the next generation with the tools to flourish in an everchanging world.

A Commitment to the Challenges of Tomorrow: Emerging technologies and innovative tools will empower our professionals to achieve even greater levels of efficiency as we continue to deliver superior outcomes for our clients. In line with our commitment to remaining at the forefront of these advancements, we are excited to announce the launch of many new projects including a brand-new podcast, The Art of Advocacy, hosted by Bill Brewer, that will explore issues at the intersection of law, business, and communications.

We take pride in what we achieved in 2024, and your unwavering support propels us toward even greater results. As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to continuously push the boundaries of excellence in our advocacy. We embrace every obstacle, every challenge, and every fight, all while appreciating that pressure is a privilege.

A New Year, A New Chapter: Brewer Firm Concludes Landmark Representation of the National Rifle Association

December 24, 2024 – This holiday season, as we reflect on past accomplishments and look forward to the many opportunities we will pursue in 2025, we wish to congratulate the National Rifle Association on its successful and determined efforts to protect its independence against existential threats, immense odds, and unprecedented government lawfare.

When the Firm began its work for the NRA in 2018, the nation’s oldest civil rights organization faced a barrage of regulatory investigations, sweeping congressional inquiries, and a debanking campaign.  Politicians gloated about plans to force the NRA out of existence, target its donors, and silence its defense of freedom.

With resolve befitting its mission, the NRA stood and fought.

Six years later, the NRA still stands – and so do the freedoms for which it has long fought. The Firm is proud it represented the NRA in its blockbuster 9-0 Supreme Court victory, its defeat of the NYAG’s “corporate death penalty” and compliance-monitor claims, its separation from corrupt vendors, and dozens of other matters.   

The greatest reward of this work arrives now: with major litigation threats defeated, the Firm’s work is nearly done.  We wish the Association a joyous holiday, a bright new year, and another century of successful constitutional advocacy.   

Having won these wars, the NRA can now go forth and “win the peace.”  We look forward to watching, and wish the Association well.

ABA Journal Reports on NRA, Brewer Representation

December 17, 2024 – ABA Journal reports that the National Rifle Association (NRA) will reform its governance following a civil lawsuit that originally sought to dissolve the organization.

Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, which had represented the NRA since 2018, said in a statement that the judgment “is tailored to compliance and governance measures in the NRA’s interest—many proposed by the NRA itself and several of which were already underway at the association.”

Judge Joel Cohen approved the judgment on December 11. The reforms include increasing leadership transparency and changing how NRA board elections are conducted.

As reported, the Brewer firm added that efforts to obtain a “corporate death penalty” and court-appointed monitor to oversee the NRA were defeated. “The NRA pays no fines or penalties under today’s judgment. Instead, the judgment entitles the NRA to collect millions of dollars from two former executives found to have breached their duties,” the statement said. “In sum, following over a month of trial proceedings, Justice Joel Cohen denied all invasive relief sought by the government.”

Read more here.

Brewer Firm Congratulates NRA on Historic Victory in NYAG Litigation

December 11, 2024 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors commented today on the NRA’s historic resolution of a multi-year legal battle with New York Attorney General Letitia James. Brewer has represented the NRA since 2018, in connection with the NYAG’s efforts to “eliminate the Association” – which today’s judgment favorably resolves. 

Alongside a unanimous Supreme Court victory this summer, this final judgment marks another high-profile, historic victory in the firm’s representation of the gun group. 

Following a year-long investigation, NYAG James sued to dissolve the Association and seize its assets in August 2020. After the NRA defeated the NYAG’s “corporate death penalty” claim, James sought a court-appointed monitor to oversee the gun group. The court rejected that request this summer. Today, a final judgment was entered that is tailored to compliance and governance measures in the NRA’s interest – many proposed by the NRA itself, and several of which were already underway at the Association. 

The NRA pays no fines or penalties under today’s judgment. Instead, the judgment entitles the NRA to collect millions of dollars from two former executives found to have breached their duties. In sum, following over a month of trial proceedings, Justice Joel Cohen denied all invasive relief sought by the government.

“It was a privilege to be part of this historic, multi-year defense of freedom,” says NRA counsel William A. Brewer III. “Board leaders confronted the ultimate challenge and threat. They deserve credit for standing firm to protect the Association, its mission to defend constitutional freedoms, and the rights of millions of members. The goal from day one was that the NRA remain free to chart its course.”

The judgment caps a six-year saga during which the firm defended the NRA against a barrage of other blue-state regulatory actions, sweeping congressional inquiries, and a debanking effort by New York officials that became the subject of a blockbuster Supreme Court decision in June.  In that case, NRA v. Vullo, all nine justices backed the Association’s First Amendment claims. The Brewer firm served as lead counsel in the Vullo case, and co-counsel with the ACLU before the Supreme Court. 

“When we undertook this representation, we committed to keep the NRA safe and secure,” Brewer says. “The effort involved not only our lawyers but business professionals, investigators, and crisis communications experts. Today’s decision marks the exclamation point on our collective advocacy and vision.”

Joining Brewer in representing the NRA were firm partners Sarah B. Rogers, Svetlana M. Eisenberg, and Noah Peters, and associate Josh Dillon.

Despite Injunction, Biote Continues to Misappropriate Name, Image or Likeness of Actress Cindy Latch

December 10, 2024, Dallas, Texas – A Dallas County court entered an injunction today prohibiting Biote Medical, LLC and its affiliated practitioners from using the name, image, or likeness (“NIL”) of actress Cindy Latch without her consent. Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors sought the injunction after filing a lawsuit on behalf of Latch regarding Biote’s repeated unauthorized use of Latch’s NIL. 

Entered by the 101st Judicial District, Dallas County, Texas, Judge Staci Williams finds that Latch made a threshold showing that she “suffers immediate and irreparable injury” due to Biote’s misappropriation of her NIL.

During a hearing on December 9, Latch introduced evidence that dozens of practitioners continue to misappropriate her NIL on their websites even after her contract with Biote ended in February 2021. These sites are engaged in the continued “impermissible use” of her image and likeness. The order states, “…the Court finds the existence of a wrongful act on behalf of Biote, and the presence of imminent harm flowing from Biote’s invasion of Plaintiff’s privacy by misappropriation of Plaintiff’s image.”

The court previously entered a Temporary Restraining Order on November 25. However, since that date, Biote has failed to protect Latch’s personal brand or compensate her for Biote’s continued unauthorized use of her NIL. With Latch as a centerpiece of Biote’s national marketing effort, the company recently reported annual revenue of approximately $200 million.

“The evidence continues to mount in support of Ms. Latch’s claims:  Biote and its affiliates continue to misappropriate Latch’s name, image or likeness in violation of her rights,” says William A. Brewer III, counsel to Ms. Latch. “This case is a beacon for those victimized by the cavalier misappropriation of their personal brand.”

The Lawsuit

Filed on November 15, 2024, in Dallas County, the lawsuit alleges breach of contract, invasion of privacy by misappropriation, negligence, and violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, among other violations of various state acts protecting Latch’s right to control her NIL. Latch seeks injunctive relief as well as damages exceeding $10 million.

Latch, a highly regarded actress and infomercial host, has appeared in commercials for many major brands, including Chase Bank, AT&T, and American Airlines.  According to the lawsuit, “Plaintiff, like all other actresses, does not allow her image and likeness to be used for free.” Latch asserts that, “[w]ithout strict enforcement of her contractual agreements and privacy rights, [Latch] knows that her brand loses its value.”

The lawsuit alleges that Latch filmed her Biote commercials in 2013. At that time, she entered into an Image Usage Contract with Biote detailing the cost of using her NIL. The contract automatically renewed annually and Latch was paid from 2013 through 2021. 

According to Latch, in 2021 Biote refused to honor the contract terms, while continuing to use her image and likeness in its national corporate marketing. In March 2021, Latch sent Biote CEO Terry Weber an invoice, as well as links to Biote-affiliated websites, confirming Biote’s continued use of her image. Two months later, Biote Chief Digital Officer Kevin Key told Latch that Biote was no longer using her likeness and that any continued use by others was not the company’s responsibility.  

In September 2024, Latch again contacted Weber and asked Biote to cease use of her image. However, in blatant disregard of Latch’s repeated requests, she continues to play a starring role in Biote corporate marketing to this day. During the December 9 hearing, Latch introduced exhibits that illustrate the national reach of these violations.

The lawsuit states that, “While in breach, Biote evaded Ms. Latch’s requests to remove her image from Biote affiliated websites. Further, Biote refused Ms. Latch payment for the use of her image in accordance with the renewal terms of the contract.”

Brewer confirmed that at least 75 practitioners continue to use Latch’s NIL in promotional materials. This continues despite the TRO issued in November.

“We suspect there could be thousands of Biote partners continuing to use her image and likeness,” says William Brewer. “Our client’s brand is her currency, and she will pursue all remedies to which she is entitled.” 

In addition to Mr. Brewer, Latch is represented by Brewer associates Joshua Harris and Nicholas Cacciarelli.

New York Times Reports on NRA, Legal Advocacy

December 5, 2024 – The New York Times reports today, in part, about the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and its “advocacy” in defense of its independence. As many of you know, in August 2020 the New York Attorney General (NYAG) filed a “dissolution lawsuit” against Brewer client the NRA.

Amid questions about the NRA’s legal strategy, firm partner William A. Brewer III noted that Brewer, with the support of NRA leadership, helped the Association successfully “confront a barrage of blue-state regulatory investigations,” including an effort by New York regulators to eliminate the group. The NYAG’s dissolution claims against the NRA were dismissed, and her bid for a court-appointed monitor was rejected by the court earlier this year.

 Brewer told The Times:

“My firm handles bet-the-company, life or death advocacy. The NRA called and we helped them confront a barrage of blue-state regulatory investigations, a promised ‘corporate death penalty’ dissolution effort in New York, sweeping Russia-gate congressional inquiries, and a debanking effort condemned by the entire Supreme Court. Today, more than six years later, the NRA still stands – independent and free. We’re proud of that outcome, which we count as a win."

Read more here.