Chambers and Partners has recognized three Bell Nunnally practice areas and two partners in its 2023 Chambers USA guide.
Bell Nunnally is ranked in Corporate/M&A, Labor & Employment and Litigation: General Commercial. The Corporate/M&A group has now been ranked in three consecutive editions.
Partner Alana K. Ackels is ranked Band 4 in Labor & Employment and Partner Nikki Hurst Gibson Band 4 in Banking & Finance.
“Chambers’ rigorous and thoughtful submission process is trusted by businesses and attorneys everywhere. We’re honored to have such broad representation in this latest edition and to have been a consistent presence over the past three years,” said Christopher B. Trowbridge, Bell Nunnally managing partner. “Our commitment to our clients and to ensuring their interests are vigorously represented is our driving force, and their success is the underpinning of ours.”
Chambers interviewees noted:
CORPORATE M&A
“They understand our business and find solutions that work for us. They are responsive and always provide timely counsel.”
“We receive a very strong level of service.”
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT
“The firm has a strong team of competent partners, associates and paralegals with strength in all areas of labor and employment.”
“The team never disappoints. They are quick to respond, knowledgeable and very high quality.”
LITIGATION: GENERAL COMMERCIAL
“Bell Nunnally & Martin has deep and varied expertise. I have yet to encounter something they have been ill-equipped to handle.”
“They are savvy litigators who do not let egos get in the way of success. They are willing to do whatever it takes to best represent their clients.”
Ackels, a partner in Bell Nunnally’s Labor, Employment and Benefits group, advises employers on minimizing risk, protecting their businesses and navigating the many state and federal compliance laws governing the employer-employee relationship. She prepares employment, confidentiality and noncompetition agreements; employee handbooks; and other policies. Ackels also conducts workplace misconduct investigations. She uses her vast trial and arbitration experience to help companies avoid the pitfalls that often lead to claims. When claims are unavoidable, Ackels defends businesses against lawsuits and government (EEOC/ NLRB) charges. She has been selected for inclusion on D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas” since 2021 and Best Lawyers’ The Best Lawyers in America since 2019. In 2019, Ackels was named to the Dallas Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” class. She earned her law and undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University (J.D., cum laude, 2009; B.A., cum laude, 2006).
One of Ackels’ Chambers interviewees noted, “…her biggest strength is her ability to wade through issues and represent them to the court.”
Gibson, a partner in Bell Nunnally’s Commercial Finance and Real Estate groups, has extensive experience representing financial institutions and borrowers on commercial lending transactions across the country; structuring, drafting and negotiating loan documentation for asset-based financing transactions, including accounts receivable, inventory and equipment secured loan transactions; senior and subordinated debt financings; syndicated loans; securities as collateral; and real estate transactions. She also represents purchasers and sellers in connection with the acquisition and disposition of commercial real estate, including multi-family and low-income housing. Named The Best Lawyers in America’s 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” in Commercial Finance Law for Dallas/Fort Worth and selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America since 2017, Gibson has four times, including in 2023, been named one of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” by D Magazine. She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law (J.D., 1985) and Duke University (A.B., 1980).
One of Gibson’s Chambers interviewees noted, “[Nikki’s] bright, understands the issues, has great client service and is focused on the goal.”
Chambers USA ranking tables are compiled through assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback. Firms and lawyers need to demonstrate “sustained excellence” to be ranked.
Chambers and Partners’ professional researchers conduct extensive client interviews to make their selections, assessing practices for: technical legal ability, client service, depth of firm teams, commercial vision and business understanding demonstrated; diligence and attention to detail; and value for money. Individual attorneys are vetted for their knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness and client service.