The Daily Wire Reports on Legal Challenge to ATF "Pistol Brace Rule"
June 7, 2023 – The Daily Wire reports that Brewer client the National Rifle Association of America ("NRA") filed a motion to intervene in a legal challenge to the pistol brace rule promulgated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”).
The NRA seeks to intervene in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, to obtain injunctive relief stopping the ATF from enforcing its rule – which reverses its long-standing position that pistol braces do not transform pistols into rifles subject to onerous registration and taxation requirements under the National Firearms Act.
As the Daily Wire reports, the NRA eventually hopes to get a permanent injunction against the rule. The organization previously backed a lawsuit in North Dakota, filed in February, challenging the ATF’s pistol brace rule.
“The NRA has consistently opposed this arbitrary attack on law-abiding gun owners on multiple fronts,” said NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre. “The NRA is a leader in the largest and most aggressive legal challenge to this action, and now aims to intervene in the Texas lawsuit. We are pursuing relief to protect our members – and bring a halt to this attack on their freedom.”
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors Names Matthew H. Davis Partner
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.
Brewer Partner Cecelia L. Fanelli Earns 2023 Chambers Recognition
June 1, 2023 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors Partner Cecelia L. Fanelli was recently recognized by Chambers and Partners in the 2023 Chambers USA legal directory.
Chambers USA is a leading directory that ranks top lawyers and law firms across the country. A partner in the firm’s New York office, Ms. Fanelli was recognized in the Leisure & Hospitality nationwide category. She has been ranked by Chambers USA in this area since 2011.
Her practice involves a variety of complex commercial litigation matters, with an emphasis on matters relating to the hotel and real estate industries. Ms. Fanelli frequently writes and lectures on issues regarding hospitality law, and is a featured presenter at the 45th Annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, scheduled for June 2023.
Chambers ranks lawyers based research findings, peer recognition and client interviews. Chambers assesses the information gathered based on factors such as technical legal ability, client service and diligence. Individual lawyers are ranked by practice area based on their legal knowledge and experience, their ability, their effectiveness and their client service.
Ms. Fanelli has decades of experience in litigation and dispute resolution, practicing across the country in federal and state trial and appellate courts.
Brewer Welcomes Summer Associates and Interns
May 30, 2023 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors today welcomed its summer associates and interns to the Dallas and New York offices.
Two summer associates are joining the Dallas office. Nick Cacciarelli will graduate from the SMU Dedman School of Law in May 2024. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Economics from the University of Missouri-Columbia in May 2020.
Polina DeClue will graduate from the SMU Dedman School of Law in May 2024. She earned her B.A. in Political Science and World Languages from Southern Methodist University in December 2020.
The Dallas office also welcomes summer interns Alexandra Lahiri, a sophomore at Southern Methodist University; Callie Olson, a senior at Texas A&M University; Erica Salazar, a freshman at Northwestern University; and Carson Shepard, who recently graduated from Texas A&M University. Shepard plans to attend law school in the fall of 2024.
Two summer associates are joining the New York office. Justine Case-Fitzgerald will graduate from Albany Law School in December 2023. She earned her B.S. in Public Justice from the State University of New York at Oswego in May 2009. She also earned her Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston in May 2012 and her Joint Master/Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice from Walden University in May 2021.
Peter Grabowski will graduate from St. John’s University School of Law in May 2024. He earned his B.S. in Finance from St. John’s University, Peter J. Tobin College of Business in May 2021.
The New York office also welcomes summer interns Simon Ang, a senior at New York University; Whitman Brewer, a sophomore at New York University; Maja Pekala, a senior at Fordham University; Marie Brewer, a senior at Williams College; and Samson Tu, a senior at New York University.
Brewer Partner Cecelia L. Fanelli to Present at NYU Hospitality Conference
May 23, 2023 – The Brewer firm announced today that partner Cecelia L. Fanelli is a featured presenter at the 45th annual NYU Hospitality Industry Investment Conference. Fanelli will moderate the panel, “Soft Brands: Hard Work,” at 4:05 p.m. EST on Monday, June 5, 2023.
Fanelli’s practice involves a variety of complex commercial litigation matters, with an emphasis on matters relating to the hotel and real estate industries. Her clients run the gamut from owners of hotels to lenders, franchises, franchisors, asset managers, and management companies.
Fanelli will be joined on the panel by Catie Cramer, vice president, Luxury, Lifestyle & Premium Brands, IHG Hotels & Resorts; Jenna Hackett, global brand leader, Canopy by Hilton & Curio and Tapestry Collections by Hilton; and Dan Thorman, senior vice president, Development-Full Service, Eastern U.S., Canada, and Caribbean, Aimbridge Hospitality.
The conference is being held June 4 – 6, 2023, at the New York Marriott Marquis, located at 1535 Broadway at 45th Street, New York, NY. Visit here (below) to learn more and register for the event.
Brewer Foundation Sponsors SMU Dedman School of Law Event
Our firm recently sponsored the Order of the Barristers event recognizing top graduates from the SMU Dedman School of Law. This nationally recognized honor is conferred upon only a select few graduating students each year who have been recognized as having demonstrated outstanding skills in oral advocacy. Brewer Associate Ramon Hernandez (pictured, far left) represented the Brewer firm and joined other graduates from the Class of 2021 at the event, held at the Park Cities Club in Dallas. We are proud to have the law school as a partner in the legal community.
Newsweek Reports on Brewer Foundation/NYU IPPF World Champion
May 9, 2023 – Newsweek reported today on the finals of the Brewer Foundation/NYU International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) – a global debate contest for high school students. As reported, the team from Potomac Oak of Rockville, Maryland was crowned the 2023 IPPF World Champion during the debate finals on May 6, 2023. The school won a $10,000 grand prize from the Brewer Foundation and the “Brewer Cup.” The Hockaday School from Dallas, Texas was runner-up.
As reported by Newsweek, “William Brewer, a lawyer and co-founder of the Brewer Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization that manages a variety of educational outreach programs in connection with the Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors law firm, and John Sexton, a debate coach, law professor and former NYU president, started the IPPF as a free contest that combines written and oral debate on international policy issues.”
Hockaday debater Sanika Agarwalla won the inaugural John E. Sexton Award – recognizing the outstanding speaker during the final round.
“Speech and debate programs like the IPPF change lives – helping students find their voice, promote conflict resolution, and see the world differently," Sexton said in a statement to Newsweek. “NYU is proud to partner with the Brewer Foundation to offer this academic program to students around the globe.”
Speaking of the inaugural award recognizing his life’s work as a debater, debate coach, and mentor, Sexton told Newsweek, “This award is an honor for many reasons, but most importantly because it represents so many students and mentors who shared their love of debate as a gift to me. The inaugural winner, Sanika Agarwalla, demonstrated remarkable poise and confidence. She is an inspiration to me – and represents the promise debate holds for future generations.”
To read more, click here.
Potomac Oak Students Crowned World Champion of Brewer Foundation / NYU Debate Contest
May 6, 2023 – New York – A team of students from Potomac Oak in Rockville, Maryland, were crowned world champions Saturday, winning the 22nd Annual Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) debate competition and a $10,000 grand prize. The final debate was held at The Harold Pratt House in New York City.
The teams that competed in the IPPF Finals on Saturday, May 6, were the final “Elite Eight” teams to emerge from a field of more than 220 teams, representing high schools in 31 U.S. states and 22 countries. The teams debated the topic: “Resolved: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an effective model for international cooperation."
As the new IPPF World Champion, the Potomac Oak team receives a $10,000 grand prize from the Brewer Foundation ($5,000 for the school’s debate program and $5,000 in individual scholarships) and the Brewer Cup.
“This amazing team supplemented months of written scholarship with outstanding oral advocacy – earning the title of 2023 IPPF World Champion,” says William A. Brewer III, partner at the Brewer firm and founder of the IPPF. “The IPPF provides students with the opportunity to sharpen skills that are fundamental to academic achievement: the ability to research topics of critical importance, synthesize complex material, and advocate for a position. These students demonstrated a ‘best in class’ performance against some of the most accomplished debaters in the world.”
The runner-up team, The Hockaday School, receives a $3,500 prize. Ms. Sanika Agarwalla from The Hockaday School received the inaugural John E. Sexton award – recognizing the outstanding speaker of the 2023 IPPF Finals.
The top eight teams competing in the IPPF Finals represented schools in five U.S. states, Canada and Singapore. Founded in 2001, the IPPF is the only competition that gives high school students from around the globe the opportunity – for free – to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.
