Bell Nunnally Partner Alana K. Ackels was recently profiled in the Dallas Business Journal as part of its 2019 “40 Under 40” class. She was selected by a judging panel comprised of past winners from a wide range of industries and roles in the private, public and non-profit sectors and from among several hundred nominations submitted to the publication. Ackels was honored at an award ceremony on March 21 and featured in the March 23 print issue. Here are excerpts of her profile:

On her practice, as company-side labor and employment attorney:

This includes things like protecting their trade secrets when an employee leaves, preparing key employment agreements and policies, counseling on employee leaves of absence and the FMLA, conducting misconduct investigations, advising on difficult employment terminations, and partnering with the organization through reductions in force, just to name a few.

On helping companies mitigate risk, or litigate, when necessary:

As a seasoned trial lawyer, I use my experience in the courtroom to try and prevent litigation for my clients as much as possible. When necessary, though, and the stakes are high, I try cases.

Publication Q+A Excerpts:

What’s something that you can do better than (just about) anybody else?

Cook Greek food….I have a huge family, and we all love to eat….Our family events are big, loud, and full of good food and love.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A psychologist, and later, by high school, a lawyer.

What do you want to be doing 10 years from now?

Practicing law and raising my family.

Non-profit Involvement

I serve on the board of Women With Promise, a diverse group of business women dedicated to improving the lives of women in need in North Texas. Women With Promise supports area agencies to give women a hand up to help them escape poverty, domestic violence, or homelessness….The goal is that each of the women we support will break the cycle of poverty in their families and become self-sustaining members of the community.

To read the full profile, please click here.

To read a press release detailing Ackels’ selection, please click here.