Overview

Janell Ahnert's practice encompasses all facets of employment law, specifically in representation of management in both employment counseling and employment litigation. She has experience with issues involving wage and hour claims, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.

With licenses held in four states, Janell is able to serve her clients' needs in various legal forums. She handles a variety of employment law matters in state and federal courts and has broad experience defending employers accused of harassment and discrimination in federal court, including first chair jury trial experience. She has also successfully defended management in many wage and hour cases under the Fair Labor Standard Act and obtained summary judgments on behalf of her clients.

In addition to a federal court practice, Janell has experience defending financial services clients in employment matters pending before FINRA. In this area, Janell represents broker-dealers and banks in FINRA arbitrations filed by employees across the country.

As well as being a top-notch advocate, Janell is a respected mediator. She is known for being able to combine empathetic listening with realistic cases and evaluate damages based on her extensive federal court litigation experience.

Janell is committed to pro bono efforts and dedicates her time to assisting economically disadvantaged individuals by serving in several nonprofits in the Birmingham area.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

Labor and Employment Section

American Bar Association

Member

Labor and Employment Section

Alabama State Bar Association

Member

Women Lawyers Section

Birmingham Bar Association

Member

ADR Section

Birmingham Bar Association

Member

Northern District of Alabama Panel of Neutrals

Member

Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution Mediator Roster

Recognition

Awarded, AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating

Martindale-Hubbell

Named, Lawyer of the Year

The Best Lawyers in America®

2023

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2015-2025

Fellow

College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

Elected 2023

Named, Top 50 Women Mid-South Super Lawyers

Mid-South Super Lawyers

2017-2021

Ranked, Labor & Employment

Chambers USA

2012-2013, 2017-2024

Named, Top Women Attorneys

B-Metro Magazine

2017-2018

Named, Top Lawyers

B-Metro Magazine

2018

Named, Super Lawyer

Mid-South

Super Lawyers

2016-2021

Named, Top 25 Women Lawyers in Alabama

Mid-South Super Lawyers

2011-2015, 2017

Named, Top Attorneys

Birmingham Magazine

2016

News, Analysis & Press

New regulation raises compliance concerns for large employers

Birmingham Business Journal

March 1, 2024

More than just a number

Investment News

June 19, 2023

Companies Changing Drug Testing Policies?

Fox 6 WBRC

December 2, 2022

Why are fewer local employers testing for marijuana?

Birmingham Business Journal

December 1, 2022

Speaking Engagements

2022 Employment Law Update

Birmingham, AL

November 1, 2022

Accommodation Requests in a Somewhat Post-COVID World

BSHRM Legal Update

April 20, 2022

Managing Remote Work Requests During (and After) the Pandemic

Littler Webinar

February 22, 2022

Managing Remote Work Requests During (and After) the Pandemic

February 22, 2022

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act & Employment Discrimination

Panel Discussion, Alabama State Bar Labor & Employment Conference

October 9, 2021

Best Practices for Selecting a Panel of FINRA Arbitrators

Lawline

October 5, 2021

Addressing Issues When Employees Want to Remain Remote

Lawline

September 9, 2021

The Making of a Fictional Lawyer: Life as a Woman Lawyer in 1980s Alabama: Fact or Fiction

An interview with author Gin Phillips, ABA Litigation Section Sound Advice Podcast

August 2021

A Virtual FINRA Roundtable

June 10, 2021

Reinventing Yourself and Your Practice: How Flexibility Saved My Legal Career

ABA Litigation Section, 2021 Professional Success Summit

March 30, 2021

Reinventing Yourself and Your Practice: How Flexibility Saved My Legal Career

2021 ABA Professional Success Summit, Panel Moderator

March 30, 2021

Healthy Boundaries Training

Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley, Main E-vent

February 4, 2021

You're Not Alone: Answers for Southeastern Employers Operating in the New Norm

October 27, 2020

A COVID-19 Downsizing: What Employment Laws Should Be Considered

Alabama ACC

April 23, 2020

The CARES Act: How it Impacts Alabama Unemployment Benefits

Birmingham Business Alliance

April 16, 2020

AL Child Care Provider: Clarity During Coronavirus Confusion

Client webinar

April 9, 2020

What to Do When an Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19

Birmingham Business Alliance

March 31, 2020

Education

  • J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1999
  • B.A., University of South Alabama, 1991cum laude

Bar Admission

Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Texas

Courts

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Alabama Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia