Brewer Foundation Announces Attorney and Community Advocate Ian Shaw as President
February 24, 2025 – The Brewer Foundation today announced attorney and community advocate Ian Shaw as its president. Mr. Shaw will have oversight of all aspects of the 501(c)3 Brewer Foundation, the charitable affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. Mr. Shaw was most recently with Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C, where he practiced commercial litigation, labor employment, and personal injury defense.
Today’s announcement marks Mr. Shaw's return to the Brewer team. He previously worked in the consulting group in the firm’s New York office and was an associate in the firm’s Dallas office.
“Ian is a committed community advocate and trusted leader – with a background in team leadership, public service, and educational issues,” says William A. Brewer III, chairman of the Brewer Foundation. “His role as president of the Brewer Foundation represents the growth of the Foundation and its programs, and the need to invest more in managing them for the future.”
Founded in 1995, the Brewer Foundation supports a range of community initiatives, with a special emphasis on developing, overseeing, and funding a growing array of educational programs. Among these are the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) and Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF).
The FLP is an academic and leadership development program that benefits more than 200 students, ages 12 to 18, from urban communities within the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). Through year-round academic courses, leadership training, and exposure to a wide array of cultural programs, the FLP helps prepare its “future leaders” for success in college and beyond.
Since its inception in 2001, the FLP has graduated hundreds of students, many of whom have gone on to be first-or second-generation college students. FLP graduates have earned more than $20 million in scholarship offers. Seven FLP students have been named QuestBridge Scholars, and three have been named Gates Scholars – some of the nation’s most prestigious scholarships. The program has been recognized by the Texas State Board of Education and the Texas Governor’s Office.
“I am excited to join the Brewer Foundation and help build the FLP’s blueprint for the future,” Shaw says. “We are eager to explore new partnerships, continually improve our academic offerings, and help these students realize their visions for success. The program is a testament to the power of education and the belief that every student deserves equal opportunity.”
The IPPF is the only competition that gives high school students around the globe the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. Thousands of students participate each year. During the 2024-25 competition, 283 teams representing schools in 26 countries and 30 U.S. states submitted qualifying round essays affirming or negating the contest topic. Now in its 24th year, the IPPF will host the “IPPF Finals” in May at the Harold Pratt House in New York City.
Over its history, the Foundation has contributed more than $25 million to more than 60 charities in areas such as medicine, the arts, and human rights. All the firm’s professionals are given the opportunity to support the Foundation – and its impact on future generations.
Mr. Shaw will also contribute to the Brewer Storefront, the firm’s community service legal affiliate. Founded in 1995, the Storefront tackles local and national issues, providing legal assistance to a wide range of individuals, businesses, and community entities in need. The Storefront is currently handling several Voting Rights Act cases in North Texas – advocating for voting equality and giving a voice to minority communities.
Outside of his professional duties with the Brewer Foundation and Storefront, Mr. Shaw is a member of the Dallas Bar Association of Young Lawyers, JL Turner Association, Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Council. He is currently in the middle of a term with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, as appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Firm Partner Sarah Rogers Nominated for State Department Position
February 12, 2025 — Brewer Partner Sarah Rogers has been nominated for the position of Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs of United States in the U.S. State Department.
This important position leads America's public diplomacy outreach, which includes messaging to counter terrorism, support the achievement of U.S. foreign policy goals and strengthen our nation's global relationships. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Rogers will also deal with critical free-speech and censorship issues at home and abroad.
Reporting on the nomination, the publication Semafor wrote, "A partner at the New York litigation boutique Brewer, Rogers represented the National Rifle Association alongside the ACLU in a winning appeal to the Supreme Court last March. She also represented the NRA against the New York State Attorney General, who was seeking to dissolve the organization, which the NRA beat back on First Amendment grounds."
The firm congratulates Rogers on her potential future role under U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors Announces Promotion of Litigator Claiborne Hane to Partner
January 23, 2025 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors today announced the promotion of litigator Claiborne Hane to partner.
Hane’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and dispute resolution, with an emphasis in business disputes, corporate investigations, and securities fraud litigation. He joined the firm’s New York office as counsel in May 2024. Since joining the firm, Hane has played an instrumental role in several leading matters – including the successful pursuit of shareholder actions.
Prior to joining the firm, Hane practiced with Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP, and Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP. He received his Juris Doctor from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and his bachelor’s degree in political science from Duke University.
“Our firm is defined by the contributions of its professionals and their passion for high-stakes advocacy,” said William A. Brewer III, founding partner of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. “This promotion reflects Clay’s extraordinary contributions and results achieved. It also speaks to our commitment to having one of the fastest partnership tracks in the country.”
Today’s announcement highlights another successful year for the Brewer firm, as 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. Our high-stakes advocacy nationwide also resulted in over $200 million in awards and settlements for our other commercial clients.
This past year marked the continued growth of the Brewer Storefront, the firm’s community-impact legal affiliate. The Storefront successfully defended the victim of an elaborate financial scam, blew the whistle on widespread consumer fraud in New York, and initiated a comprehensive statewide effort to ensure that Texas school boards operate in compliance with the Voting Rights Act.
“The firm provides a platform to make a difference in the courtroom – and the community,” said Hane. “This place is testament to what happens when you combine entrepreneurial spirit with a desire to exclusively handle bet-the-business cases. I’m excited to be part of the Brewer vision and the firm’s blueprint for the future.”
Lights, Camera, Action! Brewer Summer Program Profiled by Law 360
June 25, 2024 – Law 360 showcased the Brewer firm in its article, “Small Firms Put Unique Spin on Summer Associate Programs.” The article notes how the Brewer summer program provides participants with real-life experience, networking opportunities, and social activities.
Firm partner Will Brewer says, “We had the law clerks and even the college interns working on substantive stuff, preparing for depositions, attending depositions, taking notes in meetings, going to court if that arises," he said. "We're just trying to give them a good experience, not just watching but also contributing to the end product and really working on the case."
As Law 360 reports, Brewer's [summer] program is also unique in that it takes not just law students but also MBA students who work with the firm's business consultants, and undergraduate public relations and communications majors who work with the firm's public affairs managers.
"It's big, but it's super fun," Brewer said. "And it kind of gives people a chance to shadow and work with the people who they would potentially want to step into their role one day."
Click here to read the full article.
Brewer Associate Named to Law360 Editorial Advisory Board
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.
Lewisville Independent School District Agrees to Provide District with Greater Political Opportunity
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.
Best Lawyers Names Senior Associate Gizem Petrosino to 2024 "Ones to Watch" List
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.
Business Today Names Cecelia Fanelli A Top Hospitality Lawyer for 2023
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.