Ten Bell Nunnally Attorneys Highlighted as "Texas Rising Stars"

Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP attorneys Alana K. Ackels, R. Heath Cheek, Lindsey L. Goldstein, Kristopher D. Hill, Heather H. Jobe, Gregory D. Kelminson, Danica L. Mathes, Daniel A. Murray, Jason P. Steed and Ross A. Williams have been named to the 2016 “Texas Rising Stars” list published by Super Lawyers – a Thomson Reuters publication and rating service – and featured in the April issue of Texas Monthly.

“Texas Rising Stars” recognizes lawyers across more than 70 practice areas who are 40 years or younger or in the first 10 years of practice. Inclusion is based on a highly selective process comprised of detailed and comprehensive peer nominations, evaluation and research – yielding only those who have both a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Ultimately, no more than 2.5 percent of eligible lawyers in the state are named to the “Texas Rising Stars” list.

Ackels is a commercial litigator, focusing on labor and employment disputes. Licensed in Texas and California, she has extensive experience litigating disputes in state and federal courts and arbitration. Ackels routinely represents clients in complex commercial disputes; employment claims involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; wage and hour claims; trade secret litigation and non-compete matters. She also advises employers on navigating the multitude of state and federal laws governing the employer-employee relationship. Ackels earned both her legal and undergraduate degrees at Southern Methodist University (J.D., 2009; B.A., 2006). This is her second consecutive year on the “Texas Rising Stars” list.

Cheek is a partner, practicing in the firm’s Litigation group. He focuses on trials and disputes, representing clients from Fortune 500 companies to start-up businesses and high-net-worth individuals in industries including private equity, financial services, energy and real estate. Cheek is an active member of the community having served in various board or leadership positions for the State Fair of Texas, Dallas Museum of Art, Cotton Bowl Council, North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee, Texas Tech Alumni Association, Republican Lawyers of Dallas and Christian Legal Society, among others. Cheek is a graduate of Baylor Law School (J.D., 2006) and Texas Tech University (B.A., 2003). This is his third consecutive selection to the “Texas Rising Stars” list.

Goldstein is a commercial litigator focusing on labor, employment and benefits disputes. Licensed in both Texas and Louisiana, she handles complex litigation matters including employment discrimination, wage and hour and covenant not to compete cases. Goldstein also drafts employment contracts, including severance agreements and non-solicitation agreements, on behalf of employers, and frequently counsels employers on policies and procedures. Her extensive trial experience has resulted in multiple pre-trial dismissals and successful take-nothing judgments on behalf of her clients. Goldstein is a graduate of Washington University School of Law (J.D., 2010) and the University of Texas at Austin (B.S., B.A., 2007).

Hill is a partner, practicing in the firm’s Litigation and Labor, Employment and Benefits groups. He focuses on complex business disputes and trials involving business torts, contract issues and similar high-stakes commercial litigation matters. Hill has extensive experience handling disputes involving non-compete agreements from the injunction stage through trial. He is also an active member of the Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court. Hill is a graduate of Baylor Law School (J.D., 2008) and Texas Tech University (B.B.A., 2005). This is his third consecutive appearance on the “Texas Rising Stars” list.

Jobe is a partner in the firm’s Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring, Creditors’ Rights and Litigation practices. She handles bankruptcy- and business-related litigation, with a concentration on valuation issues. Jobe is a graduate of Texas Tech School of Law (J.D., 2004) and Texas State University (B.B.A., 2000). This is her fifth consecutive selection to the “Texas Rising Stars” list.

Kelminson works in the firm’s White Collar Criminal and Regulatory Defense and Litigation practices. He represents clients in complex criminal and regulatory investigations and charged proceedings and has experience handling federal and state administrative actions instituted by securities and healthcare regulators. He is a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 2009) and the University of Texas at Austin (B.B.A., 2005). This is his second consecutive year on the “Texas Rising Stars” list.

Mathes is a partner in the Intellectual Property, Entertainment, Advertising and New Media practice areas. Some of the most well-known national and international brands and biggest names in entertainment have trusted Mathes with their creative assets and brand reputation. She has represented Grammy-winning recording artists, songwriters and producers, Oscar-nominated filmmakers, independent record labels and music publishers, amateur and professional athletes, reality television show participants, mobile app and game developers, e-commerce, interactive media and startup ventures, as well as international food, beverage, toy, cosmetics, fashion, literary publishing, retail and traditional media companies. A frequent presenter and author, including on her “I’M WITH THE B(R)AND^®” blog, Mathes also served as an Adjunct Professor of Entertainment Law at Washington University School of Law for five years. She is a graduate of Washington University School of Law (J.D., 2001) and DePauw University (B.A., 1998), and is licensed in both Texas and Missouri.

Murray is a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice. He focuses on all areas of intellectual property law, assisting clients across a diverse range of industries including telecom/smartphone, medical devices, construction hardware, sporting goods and software technologies. Murray is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law (J.D., 2007) and Southern Methodist University (M.S., 2009; B.S., B.A., 2003). This is his second consecutive selection to the “Texas Rising Stars” list.

Steed is a member of the firm’s Appellate Litigation practice and has substantial experience representing clients in both state and federal appellate courts across the nation. In addition to acting as lead counsel in appeals, as a former English professor he also frequently consults and assists clients and co-counsel with brief writing – both on appeal and in pre- and post-trial motion practice. Steed frequently writes articles and gives presentations on appellate practice and on the U.S. Supreme Court. He is on the editorial board of The Federal Lawyer. And, he is an active member of the Dallas Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the American Constitution Society. Steed is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law (J.D., with honors, 2009), the University of Nevada Las Vegas (Ph.D., 2004), the University of Idaho (M.F.A., 1999) and Brigham Young University (B.A., 1995).

Williams is a partner and a member of the firm’s Litigation, Creditors’ Rights and Appellate practices. He has experience in complex matters involving contract disputes, business torts and IP litigation. He also represents creditors on promissory notes, guarantees, unpaid accounts and the foreclosure of secured properties. He is also experienced in handling Internet defamation issues. Notably, Williams has briefed appellate matters before Texas courts of appeal and the Supreme Court of Texas, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. Williams is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 2008) and Tulane University (B.A., 2005). This is his third consecutive year on the “Texas Rising Stars” list.