Bell Nunnally partners Alana K. Ackels; Saba F. Syed; and Brent A. Turman have been named to D Magazine’s 2022 “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list.

“Alana, Saba and Brent are all integral parts of Bell Nunnally and each has carved out an impressive practice. Clients rely upon these emerging stars to handle some of their thorniest questions and be true problem solvers and business facilitators” said Christopher Trowbridge, Bell Nunnally managing partner.

Attorneys under 40 who have practiced law for at least five years – primarily in the DFW area – are eligible for the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list. D Magazine asked metroplex attorneys to submit nominations for up to two lawyers outside their firms and one within for consideration, based on this prompt, “Which young Dallas lawyer, of those whose work you’ve witnessed firsthand, would you rank among the current best?” Candidates were then vetted by a panel of area attorneys in conjunction with the publication’s editors.

Ackels is a member of Bell Nunnally’s Labor, Employment and Benefits; Litigation; and Workplace Culture and Misconduct Investigation practices. She works with companies of all sizes, advising them on how to minimize risk, protect key business assets and navigate the state and federal laws governing the employer-employee relationship. Ackels also prepares employment contracts, confidentiality and non-competition agreements, employee handbooks and other key employment policies. She also guides employers through the process of opting out of workers compensation in Texas by crafting injury benefit plans, managing the rollout, consulting on difficult claims and handling litigation when it arises. Ackels earned both her law and undergraduate degrees from Southern Methodist University (J.D., cum laude, 2009; B.A., cum laude, 2006). Named to the Dallas’ Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list for 2019, this is her fourth selection to the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list.

Syed is a partner in the firm’s Litigation and Appellate practice areas. She is a litigator who represents companies and high-net-worth individuals in complex commercial litigation matters in a variety of practice areas, including securities, business torts, patent and trademark disputes, partnership disputes and real estate litigation. Syed is experienced in a variety of arbitration venues, including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and has represented consumers and financial advisors in financial disputes. She also works with clients in the live events and hospitality industries, assisting with trademark issues and providing industry-specific legal counsel. Syed is a graduate of Baylor Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2013) and the University of Texas at Austin (B.A., magna cum laude, 2009). Named to The Best Lawyers in America’s “Ones to Watch” list for 2021 and 2022 and awarded the Dallas Bar Association’s “Outstanding Minority Attorney Award” in 2019, this is her second selection to the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list.

Turman is a partner in the firm’s Litigation, Real Estate, Intellectual Property and Entertainment practice areas. His commercial litigation practice covers a variety of matters including business disputes, real estate litigation, intellectual property litigation, arbitration and preparing contracts for companies in the entertainment industry. He represents clients ranging from startups to Fortune 50 companies, and he frequently gives trial skills CLE presentations to bar associations and law firms across the country, teaching other attorneys about the strategies and techniques he has used in the courtroom. Turman earned both his law and undergraduate degrees from Southern Methodist University (J.D., cum laude, 2012; B.B.A. and B.A., cum laude, 2007). Named to the “Texas Rising Stars” list every year since 2016, this is his second selection to the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list.

Related Media Coverage:

• “Talk of the Town,” Attorney at Law Magazine

Media Contact:
Brittany Lewis
Marketing Manager
214-880-6661
blewis@bellnunnally.com