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.  

Dallas Morning News: Supreme Court Refuses Farmers Branch Immigration Ordinance

March 3, 2014 – The Dallas Morning News reports that the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a lower-court ruling finding a rental ordinance in Farmers Branch, Texas, unconstitutional.  

The ordinance sought to ban landlords from to renting to people who are in the U.S. unlawfully . The court’s decision brough ta seven-year legal battle to an end. The ordinance was never enforced.  

Attorney William “Bill” Brewer said of the conclusion of the case that, “This is over...Our hope is that the city will close this unfortunate chapter in its history and begin to embrace the changing demographics of the community – as part of a more inclusive and dynamic future.”  

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. 

Wall Street Journal: Judges Block Immigrant Laws in Texas, South Carolina

July 23, 2013 – The Wall Street Journal reports that the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an ordinance by the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch that sought to bar landlords from renting to immigrants living in the U.S. without legal documentation. 

The judges concluded that the ordinance illegally interfered with the federal government’s enforcement of immigration laws. The article noted that the suburbs received national attention after first attempting to enact the law in 2006, citing an influx of undocumented immigrants.  

Attorney William “Bill” Brewer, who represented plaintiffs challenging the ordinance, said the law was motivated by community members who were apprehensive about the growing Latino population.  

“It’s not within the power of a municipality to slow down or change the ethnic composition of their communities through an effort to regulate immigration,” he said. 

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. 

Dallas Morning News: Judge Rejects Rental Ban

March 25, 2010 – The Dallas Morning News reports that U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle of Dallas issued a permanent injunction to stop the City of Farmers Branch from enforcing a city ordinance banning illegal immigrants from renting apartments. 

The judge ruled that Ordinance 2952 was an attempt to enforce U.S. immigration laws, something she said only the federal government can do.  

William “Bill” Brewer, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, said the firm would continue the fight on behalf of the landlords in the city challenging the ordinance.  

The article noted that about one-quarter of Farmers Branch residents were born outside the United States, and about 47 percent of the city’s population was Hispanic.  

“We’ve been involved... because of the broader implications of how we are all going to live together,” Brewer said. “I not only owe that to my clients but I owe it to my children.”  

Read more here.