Dallas Morning News: Grand Prairie ISD Settles Election Lawsuit, to Go to Single-Member Districts

September 26, 2014 – The Dallas Morning News reports that Bickel & Brewer Storefront (now Brewer Storefront) announced the settlement of a voting rights lawsuit brought against the Grand Prairie Independent School District.  

The lawsuit, filed by the Bickel & Brewer Storefront on behalf of Victor Rodriguez, claimed that the at-large system denied fair representation to Hispanic citizens. As part of the settlement, the district agreed to transition to a new electoral system consisting of five single-member districts and two at-large districts. Two of the single-member districts adopted were made up of a majority of eligible voters who were Latino U.S. citizens. 

"We are pleased that the school board agreed to adopt an electoral system that provides Latino voters in the district a meaningful opportunity to participate in the political process," William A. Brewer III, partner at the Storefront, said in a statement. "Beyond the benefits to this school district, we believe the actions taken here are instructive to other school boards across the state." 

The article noted that Hispanic students made up more than 60 percent of the student body, while the citizen voting age population was almost 34 percent Hispanic. 

The lawsuit argued that the at-large system prevented effective participation by the Hispanic electorate. The article also referenced similar lawsuits filed by Bickel & Brewer in nearby cities, leading to changes in their voting systems.  

Read more here.  

Law360: 5th Circ. Strikes Dallas Suburb’s Immigrant Rental Law

July 23, 2013 – Law360 reports that an en banc Fifth Circuit court permanently enjoyed a law passed by the City of Farmers Branch, Texas, that intended to prevent those living in the country illegally from renting property.  

The article added that the five-judge majority opinion by Judge Stephen Higginson affirmed a lower court ruling and said Farmers Branch went too far by imposing criminal penalties on landlords and tenants and by allowing state courts to review determinations of immigration status.  

“We are pleased with this outcome and appreciate the service of the court,” said William A. Brewer III of the Bickel & Brewer Storefront (now Brewer Storefront), a pro bono counterpart of the Brewer firm. “Farmers Branch thrust itself into the national debate over immigration – and this outcome was critically important for those who believe immigration reform must take place at the federal level.”  

The case is Villas at Parkside Partners et al. V. The City of Farmers Branch, Texas. 

Read more here. 

Dallas Business Journal Reports on Settlement in American Cancer Society Lawsuit

June 4, 2013 — The Dallas Business Journal reports that the Bickel & Brewer Storefront, the community service affiliate of the Dallas law firm, has reached a settlement on behalf of the American Cancer Society in connection with weather-related losses during the 2012 Cattle Baron's Ball. 

The American Cancer Society filed suit against an insurance agency and insurance brokerage firm alleging they "botched" an insurance policy that should have allowed for the collection of $300,000 due to storm-induced losses after heavy rains soaked the event venue. 

The report states, "The suit claimed Cattle Baron's Ball organizers wanted and thought they had purchased coverage that would pay if it rained an inch or more between 4 p.m. and midnight on the day of the event at Southfork, which it did. Instead, the rainfall was measured at Collin County Regional Airport in McKinney, more than 12 miles away from the event site, where less than an inch fell." 

Terms of the settlement with insurance agency Ragland Strother & Lafitte were not released. 

Dallas Morning News: Grand Prairie ISD Sued Over At-Large Elections in Latest Voting Rights Act Suit

May 13, 2013 – The Dallas Morning News reports that a federal lawsuit was filed against the Grand Prairie Independent School District (GPISD) over its at-large school board elections. 

The lawsuit, filed by Bickel & Brewer (now Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors) on behalf of plaintiff Victor Rodriguez, claimed that the at-large system was designed to protect the political power of the Anglo majority and deny representation to Hispanic citizens of voting age in the district. Hispanic students made up the majority of the district's enrollment, yet all seven school board members were white men.  

The lawsuit argued that the election system prevented Hispanic voters from having the ability to participate effectively in local elections.  

“The voting system is inappropriate in our view,” said William A. Brewer III, lead counsel for Rodriguez, a voter in the school district. “When you talk to the demographic experts about whether you can create Hispanic opportunity districts, this is another one of these cases where change is needed in order for the Hispanic electorate to have the ability to participate." 

The article further details the history of similar lawsuits filed by Brewer in nearby cities, such as Farmers Branch and Irving, which led to changes in their voting systems. 

Read more here. 

Dallas Morning News: Farmers Branch Rent Law Rejected

March 22, 2012 – The Dallas Morning News reports that the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s ruling that a Farmers Branch ordinance banning illegal immigrants from renting in the city was unconstitutional.  

The decision on March 21, 2012, found that the power to control immigration rests with the federal government and not states or cities.  

The appeals court judges found the ordinance was more than a housing regulation and was “designed to burden aliens, both documented and undocumented, in Farmers Branch. As such, the ordinance serves no legitimate city interest.” 

Attorney William Brewer, who challenged the ordinance, said the opinion made it “clear that this ordinance was intended to discriminate against Hispanics.”  

Brewer, a partner at Bickel & Brewer Storefront (now Brewer Storefront), stated that “The decision makes clear what we have contended all along – that the ordinance is unconstitutional, and that the city is attempting to interfere in an area that is clearly the province of the federal government.”  

Read more here. 

AP: Texas Attorney Fights Illegal Immigration Rules

February 8, 2009 – The Associated Press reports on attorney William “Bill” Brewer’s successful work representing landlords in Farmers Branch, Texas, fighting the city’s efforts to prevent illegal immigrants from renting apartments and houses.  

In November 2006, the Farmers Branch City Council passed a city ordinance requiring landlords to check the immigration status of renters.  

“What they’re doing in Farmers Branch is highly illegal, inappropriate and unconstitutional,” said Brewer. 

The article described Brewer’s dedication to civil rights work and advocacy on behalf of the Latino population. 

“Generating an antagonism between Anglos and Hispanics is not the way to go,” Brewer said. “This is a state, if it’s not already, will soon be, a state where the majority of the people in our community ... are of Hispanic origin.”   

Brewer also described the advocacy of Bickel & Brewer Storefront (now Brewer Storefront), offering pro-bono services.  

“The goal here was to do something a little different and it was – and is – to bring the resources that are available to our corporate clients to community impact cases.” 

Speaking further on the growth of the Hispanic population in Texas, Brewer said that “The most important time in the history of Texas is right now in how we handle this shifting demographic. And it is an opportunity, it’s not bad, it’s all good.”  

Read more here.