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 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.

45th Annual NYU Hospitality Industry Investment Conference

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.  

Brewer Associate Gizem Petrosino Earns Rising Stars Recognition

Associate Gizem Petrosino has been selected to the 2023 Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. Ms. Petrosino earned the recognition in Business and Civil Litigation. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area.

Firm Announces Hiring of Attorneys in New York and Dallas Offices

September 13, 2022 – Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors recently announced the hiring of five new attorneys in the New York and Dallas offices.

Elizabeth Del Cid joined the firm as counsel in the New York office. She previously worked as a trial attorney and partner at national law firms in New York and California. She handles complex civil and criminal litigation, taking the lead in numerous high-exposure lawsuits on both the plaintiff’s and defense sides in New York, the Midwest, and California. Her practice focuses on consumer law litigation, civil rights advocacy, and bet-the-business financial disputes in federal and state courts throughout the country. She has represented clients in class actions, coordinated proceedings, business tort, RICO, fraud, bankruptcy, blockchain, financial services, securities and employment matters.

Ms. Del Cid also drafted and enforced public policy and laws in California. Before that, she externed for the Honorable Nany C. Dreher of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Since 2016, Ms. Del Cid has served as an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Ms. Del Cid received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Minnesota Law School and her B.A. in history and English from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Connor McKinney joined the firm as an associate in the Dallas office. Prior to joining the Brewer firm, he practiced at the international law firm Thompson Knight, as well as the national litigation boutique Diamond McCarthy in Houston. He has substantial experience litigating disputes involving breach of contract, fraud, securities, energy, bankruptcy, fiduciary breaches, mass torts, joint ventures, and international development projects, among other areas. Mr. McKinney also has considerable experience in internal investigations, regulatory proceedings, and white-collar criminal proceedings. Mr. McKinney received his Juris Doctor degree from Columbia Law School and his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Trinity University.

Jason Elgersma joined the firm as an associate in the Dallas office. He previously worked as a judicial intern for U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel in the Western District of Texas and as an intern at Locke Lord LLP. Mr. Elgersma received his Juris Doctor degree from The University of Texas School of Law in and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Arkansas.

David Umansky joined the firm as an associate in the New York office. He previously worked as an intern at The Justice Center at Albany Law School and as a research assistant for Albany Law School of Union University Professor Robert Heverly. Mr. Umansky received his Juris Doctor degree from Albany Law School of Union University and his B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University.

Pamela White joined the firm as an associate in the New York office. She previously worked as a research intern for Professor Courtney Cox at Fordham University School of Law. Ms. White also previously worked as a Communications Director for the National Security Association for Law and Policy Reform. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law and B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies and Latin American studies from Colgate University.

Brewer Firm Earns Industry Recognition, Named to Vault Law 2023 “Top 150 Under 150” List

August 4, 2022 - Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors is recognized on the Vault Law 2023 “Top 150 Under 150” list of leading small and midsize law firms with 150 or fewer lawyers.

Vault created the list to recognize smaller firms that “deliver big results.” The list was created by editorial and research teams after reviewing Vault survey data, news articles, trade journals, and legal publications. 

Vault representatives also spoke with lawyers and reviewed other published rankings. Vault evaluated firms based on prestige, quality of life, and professional growth opportunities.

Vault praises the Brewer firm as “not afraid to take on complex commercial litigation battles” and adds that “its no-holds-barred approach to litigation has earned grudging admiration from its competitors.” Vault also recognizes the firm’s unique in-house litigation consultants and investigation group.

Vault is a national legal research website that provides detailed law firm profiles and rankings on top law firms. The Vault editorial team provides insights into legal careers, law firm life, law school, legal diversity and the legal industry. 

Brewer Partner Cecelia L. Fanelli Earns 2022 Chambers Recognition

Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors Partner Cecelia L. Fanelli was recently recognized by Chambers and Partners in the 2022 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. She focuses her practice on dispute resolution for hotel owners and lenders.

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. She has been lead counsel in numerous domestic and international arbitrations.

To read Ms. Fanelli’s full bio, click here.