Brewer Firm Featured in Law360 Reporting: Competing With Big Law

On July 12, 2021, Law360 highlighted Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors as among a group of leading boutique law firms who compete with Big Law. The article, “How Boutique Firms Kept In Front of The BigLaw Salary War,” explores how boutiques compete for top talent through compensation and professional opportunity.

The article mentions that Brewer raised salaries in June for first-year starting associates to $205,000 – and also increased pay for other lawyers, consultants and professionals at the firm.

"We aim to keep our salaries commensurate with the demands on the professionals, which is at the highest level," Brewer Partner William Brewer told Law360. He added that that the firm employs many in-house business professionals, including consulting experts, investigators and communications specialists.

"We don't wait till the end of the day to figure out what the experts are going to say about cases," Brewer said. "We have those professionals in-house to start thinking through those issues that are typically only handled by outside consultants or experts."

Brewer added that this means young lawyers can “be the captain on a case” early on in their career.

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Brewer Firm Increases First-Year Associate Salaries to $205,000; Announces Other Compensation Increases

June 14, 2021 – The Brewer firm today announced that, effective July 1, 2021, first-year associate salaries will increase to $205,000. Also, the firm announced that many other lawyers, consultants, and other professionals will receive salary increases, based on merit and tenure. Adjustments in the firm’s compensation model are designed to benefit professionals at all levels of the organization.

In a communication to firm professionals, managing partner William A. Brewer III said the adjustments reflect the hard work and many contributions made by firm professionals over the recent past. Brewer recognized that many professionals had made “sacrifices to ensure that the firm continues to provide the brand of advocacy for which it has always been known.”

Several media outlets, including American Lawyer, Law 360, Above the Law, and Reuters reported on the firm announcement. Commenting on the firm’s compensation model, Brewer told American Lawyer, “Our environment is designed to be performance-based and progressive. Those who practice here welcome a future they define, versus being bound to a ‘track’ during the formative years of their career.”

Brewer Foundation Hosts FLP COVID-19 Care Package Giveaway

October 20, 2020 - The Brewer Foundation will host its first COVID-19 Care Package giveaway on Saturday, October 24, 2020. Future Leaders Program (FLP) staff and faculty will hand out packages to participating students that include an FLP face mask, hand sanitizer, canned goods and other items. 

Founded in 2001, the FLP is an academic and leadership development program that serves deserving students from the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). The program provides academic resources and leadership development training to select students, ages 14-18, from economically challenged neighborhoods. Students are chosen for the FLP based on their scholastic aptitude, school attendance, civic involvement, and leadership potential. 

A national model of public-private partnership, FLP classes typically take place on the campuses of the program's private school partners – St. Mark's School of Texas, Greenhill School, The Hockaday School and Episcopal School of Dallas. However, due to COVID-19, classes are currently taking place virtually. 

News Release: Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors Names Cecelia L. Fanelli Partner and Expands Hospitality Practice

New York, NY… September 9, 2020 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors announced the addition of veteran hospitality attorney Cecelia L. Fanelli as a Partner in the firm’s New York office.    

Fanelli is recognized as a leader in her field – achieving successful outcomes in some of the world’s most prominent hospitality cases. 

“Cecelia’s considerable experience and winning track record are a huge asset for our clients in the hospitality sector and beyond,” said firm partner William A. Brewer III. “We are pleased to welcome her to our firm – and eager to continue the growth and expansion of our hospitality practice group.”    

“This is an exciting time to join the Brewer firm – as it helps a growing roster of hospitality clients navigate unprecedented legal and business challenges,” Fanelli said. “The Brewer firm shares in my commitment to be at the leading edge of advocacy for owners, managers, and investors.”  

Fanelli has served as an arbitrator in high stakes matters, particularly in the hotel industry. Since 2011, Chambers USA has ranked her in the Leisure & Hospitality, Nationwide category.    

Her clients previously have included hotel owners, lenders, franchisees, franchisors, asset managers and management companies. Her successes include obtaining several multimillion-dollar recoveries in hotel industry and real estate litigation.    

Additionally, Fanelli is active in transactions relating to hotel assets, including the negotiation and drafting of management agreements.   

Fanelli has been named a Dean’s Distinguished Lecturer at the Cornell Hotel School. Fanelli received her Juris Doctor degree from Cornell Law School and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She was previously a Member at Eckert Seamans. 

Cecelia L. Fanelli

Partner

Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors Joins Law Firm Antiracism Alliance

August 25, 2020 — Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors announced that the firm has joined the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA). 

 The LFAA strives to create partnerships between the private bar with legal services organizations to amplify the voices of communities and individuals oppressed by racism. The LFAA aims to use the law as a vehicle to create change that helps communities of color and promotes racial equity. More than 260 law firms have joined the organization since its founding. To learn more, visit here.  

The Brewer firm has a long history of promoting civil rights and racial equality. The Brewer Storefront, the firm’s community service legal affiliate, has brought numerous successful Voting Rights Act lawsuits on behalf of African American and Latino voters across North Texas. As an example, the Storefront and its client, David Tyson, recently prevailed in a VRA lawsuit against the Richardson Independent School District. In 2001, the Brewer Foundation founded the Future Leaders Program, an academic and leadership development program that benefits minority children from urban communities within the Dallas Independent School District.     

“We are proud to join the antiracism alliance and promote its ideals at this critical time,” says William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. “We view our commitment to the alliance as an extension of our work to achieve justice for communities of color – through pro bono service and a commitment to urban education.”    

Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors Recognized by Best Lawyers

Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors received recognition from U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers in the 2020 “Best Law Firms” rankings.

The list recognizes firms for professional excellence that have received impressive ratings from clients and peers. The firm’s Dallas and New York offices were recognized in the area of Commercial Litigation.

In addition, partner William A. Brewer III was recognized in Best Lawyers in the area of Commercial Litigation in both Dallas and New York.

The Best Lawyers in America recognizes the top 5% of practicing lawyers in the United States.

The 2020 rankings are based on law firm assessments completed by almost 16,000 lawyers and evaluations from more than 12,000 legal clients.

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Brewer Firm Announces Lawsuit Against Wafra

On April 11, 2019, Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors announced that it has filed an unlawful termination and age discrimination lawsuit on behalf of its client, Francis (“Frank”) Lively, against Wafra Investment Advisory Group, Inc. (“Wafra”) and its Chief Executive Officer Fawaz Al-Mubaraki (collectively, “Defendants”). The lawsuit alleges that Lively, a successful 64-year-old real estate executive, was terminated as part of an unlawful discrimination and retaliation campaign directed against elder employees at Wafra. That same day, Bloomberg reported, “Former Wafra Real Estate Head Sues Over Age Discrimination.”

Please find the press release here, summarizing some of the key claims and allegations. The advisory also includes a comment on behalf of plaintiff, Mr. Lively, from William Brewer.

Firm Named to 2019 Vault “Top 150 Under 150” List

Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors was named to the 2019 Vault “Top 150 Under 150” list of leading small and midsized law firms in the U.S. with 150 or fewer attorneys. 

According to Vault, the firms on the list are “known for providing top-notch service and delivering big results.” Vault developed the list of highly sought-after law firms after reviewing Vault survey data, news stories and legal publications. 

The firm is described by Vault as “the type of high-powered, bet-the-bank commercial litigation firm you would see on prime time.” Vault is known for its influential rankings across many industries and professions.

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