Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek Attorney Robert S. Brewer, Jr. Awarded Distinguished Public Service Award
Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek attorney Robert S. Brewer, Jr. was honored by the U.S. Coast Guard with a Distinguished Public Service Award. U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz awarded Bob with this recognition for his breakthrough work and leadership as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California from 2019 to 2021.
“I am tremendously honored and grateful to be recognized by the Commandant,” Bob said. “This very special award is really a reflection on the entire U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. It is a tribute to the hard work of the dedicated and innovative team that made these prosecutions possible.”
During his term as U.S. Attorney, Bob effectively strengthened the Southern District of California’s comprehensive maritime counter-narcotics program to significantly disrupt the flow of narcotics and human smuggling in both the California coastal region and the Eastern Pacific.
By utilizing Coast Guard Eastern Pacific interdictions as the cornerstone of an innovative legal approach to pursue and eradicate these organizations, Bob leveraged long-term proactive maritime investigations and inter-agency partnerships to launch a concerted effort to target and dismantle maritime Transnational Criminal Organizations. He is credited with spearheading the prosecution of various resulting cases, promoting the safety and security of the United States by allowing for the conviction of six defendants in two jury trials, the prosecution of 20 low-profile vessels and the arrest of key-side organizers in Central and South America, which served as a major setback to several drug trafficking organizations.
Bob was recognized at a ceremony on Dec. 15. Rear Admiral Brian Penoyer, the agency’s Distict Eleven Commander, presented Bob with the award. Bob’s spouse, former Chief Judge Irma Gonzalez, was in attendance, accompanied by current Chief District Court Judge Dana Sabraw, Magistrate Judge Andy Schopler, Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman, several U.S. Attorney’s Office supervisors and U.S. Coast Guard Captain Timothy Barelli, the commander of Sector San Diego.
With the exception of the gold and silver lifesaving medals, the Distinguished Public Service Award is the agency’s highest public recognition.
Following the conclusion of his term as U.S. Attorney, Bob returned to SCMV as of counsel focusing on civil litigation and white-collar defense, including government investigations, fraud, business and commercial torts, health care and intellectual property disputes.