Five Bell Nunnally Attorneys Featured on D Magazine's 2021 "Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas" List

Bell Nunnally partners Alana K. Ackels; Andrew Dowdy; Brent A. Turman; and Ross Angus Williams, and Senior Associate Saba F. Syed have been named to D Magazine’s 2021 “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list, featured in this month’s print edition.

“As a firm, we congratulate this outstanding group of up-and-coming attorneys that are making their mark and are part of our collective efforts to be the strategic counsel and growth partner behind every great company,” said Christopher Trowbridge, Bell Nunnally managing partner. “While this is a great honor for the firm, it’s even better for our clients whose businesses directly benefit from this deep bench of talent.”

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 third selection to the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list.

Dowdy is a partner in the firm’s Corporate and Securities, Mergers and Acquisitions and Tax practice areas, focusing on business formation and structures, contract drafting and negotiation, merger and acquisition transactions and federal and state tax issues. He assists clients in a broad range of general corporate matters and mergers and acquisitions. Dowdy regularly counsels clients on tax issues, including tax-efficient structures for corporate mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations and the formation and operation of tax-exempt organizations – such as 501(c)(3) public charities and private foundations. He is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center (LL.M., 2010), Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law (J.D., 2009) and the University of Texas at Austin (B.A., 2005). Named to the “Texas Rising Stars” list since 2019, this is Dowdy’s first selection to the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list.

Turman is a partner in the firm’s Litigation, Intellectual Property and Entertainment practice areas. His commercial litigation practice covers a variety of matters including business disputes, intellectual property, civil RICO actions, arbitration and biometrics. He represents clients ranging from startups to Fortune 50 companies. 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 first selection to the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list.

Williams is a partner in the firm’s Litigation and Appellate practices. He litigates complex disputes involving trade secrets, cryptocurrency and blockchain; non-competes and other restrictive covenants; unfair competition; contracts; business torts; real estate and internet defamation. Williams has briefed appellate matters before Texas and federal courts of appeal, the Supreme Court of Texas and the U.S. Supreme Court (twice at certiorari). He is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law (J.D., with honors, 2008) and Tulane University (B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 2005). Named to the Dallas’ Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list for 2020, this is Williams’ fourth selection to the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list.

Syed is a senior associate in the firm’s Litigation and Appellate practice areas. She routinely 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. She 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. Saba also assists clients in the live events and hospitality industries, including representation in litigation matters, 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 awarded the Dallas Bar Association’s Outstanding Minority Attorney Award in 2019, this is her first selection to the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list.



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Brittany Lewis
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