Bickel & Brewer

View the profile as it appeared in New York Super Lawyers 2009 - Metro (PDF)

Dedicated exclusively to high-stakes advocacy, Bickel & Brewer is a law firm on a mission. Bickel & Brewer was founded in 1984 and built with a singular goal in mind—to forever change the manner in which commercial litigation is practiced.

Partner William A. Brewer III is a driving force behind the firm’s commitment to be the best. Under his direction, Bickel & Brewer is now defined by its handling of some of the world’s largest and most complex cases. With offices in New York and Dallas, the firm exclusively handles cases that involve substantial business and financial exposure, cutting-edge legal issues or significant public-policy questions.

“Our goal is to take the art form of advocacy to a higher level—handling our clients’ most influential matters,” Brewer says. “No matter the forum, venue or industry, our firm is built upon the desire to excel at handling mission-critical litigation.”

High-Powered and High-Tech

Innovative and progressive, Bickel & Brewer was among the first firms in the nation to develop an in-house consulting group, commission the development of a state-of-the-art information management system and develop an offshore operation. The firm has been recognized as a pioneer in the advancement of alternative-fee arrangements, and it made national headlines for forming one of the nation’s first in-house investigation units.

“The firm’s lifeblood is its commitment to staying on the cutting edge, employing the tools and strategic resources to maintain a competitive advantage,” says partner Alexander D. Widell. “The professionals here have a unique shared philosophy: that every case will benefit from the highest level of commitment and ingenuity.”

Community-Focused

Bickel & Brewer’s professional drive is matched by its well-known commitment to the community. The Bickel & Brewer Storefront is the firm’s community service legal affiliate, handling community-impact cases and representing individuals, businesses and nonprofits in need. The Bickel & Brewer Foundation creates, funds and manages a wide range of academic and community programs.

One such program is The Bickel & Brewer Latino Institute for Human Rights at New York University School of Law, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at training future generations of public advocates. The program offers Institute Scholars full law scholarships, on-the-ground client work and intensive training. The program has received attention from the New York Law Journal, The National Law Journal and the American Bar Association. Brewer recently received the President’s Award from the Puerto Rican Bar Association in recognition of the Institute and the firm’s other efforts to assist Latinos.

“Credit for the early success enjoyed by the Institute goes to the students and their commitment to working for positive change in those communities that need it most,” Brewer says. “Being involved in this program speaks to our firm’s belief in a future where lawyers dedicate themselves to effecting change.”