Janell M. Ahnert

Principal

  • Direct 205.820.8241
  • Fax 205.719.0500
Janell M. Ahnert
Janell M. Ahnert

“My extensive trial experience helps me predict potential pitfalls and stumbling blocks for my clients.  I thoroughly enjoy the counseling role of my practice, and the opportunity to collaborate with my clients in an effort to minimize risk and avoid future threats.”

Janell Ahnert’s practice encompasses all facets of employment law, including defending employers accused of harassment and discrimination under Title VII, Section 1981, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other analogous state discrimination laws.  Janell has also successfully defended many wage and hour cases under the Fair Labor Standard Act and state wage and hour statutes.  She has extensive and successful experience in obtaining summary judgment on behalf of her clients in both federal and state courts.  In addition, Janell has considerable trial and arbitration experience, having litigated many cases to favorable conclusions.

Janell offers consultation services to employers who are drafting or updating employment handbooks, and provides training for employers regarding harassment and discrimination.  She also has considerable appellate experience before the Alabama Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.  Moreover, Janell has appeared pro hac vice on behalf of her clients in the states of New York, Florida, Missouri, Mississippi and California.

Before attending law school, Janell worked in public affairs for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Mobile District.  An active community participant, Janell is involved in First Light, a homeless shelter for women and children, as a volunteer.  She also serves as Chair of the Personnel Committee, head of the Staffing Task Force, member of the Administration and Finance Committee and Sunday School teacher for First Presbyterian Church.

Experience
  • Represented national bank in nationwide FLSA collective action and four state Rule 23 wage class actions (New York, Maryland, Washington and California) filed on behalf of 12,000 current and former employees claiming that they had not been paid overtime they had worked
  • Defended a leading producer and exporter of coal in an age discrimination and retaliation case, obtaining favorable judgment on behalf of the company after arbitration hearing
  • Trial counsel for national poultry company in FLSA case filed on behalf of 2,500 plaintiffs by the Department of Labor, who claimed the workers should be paid for time spent donning and doffing alleged protective gear before the start of the compensable work day
  • Successfully attained summary judgment and 11th Circuit affirmance on behalf of national food processor in a sexual harassment and race discrimination lawsuit
  • Served as appellate counsel for national poultry producer, accomplishing affirmance of summary judgment after oral argument before the 11th Circuit in race and gender discrimination matter
News
Speaking
Awards & Honors
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®, 2015-2018
  • Recognized in Mid-South Super Lawyers, Employment and Labor, “Top 25 Women Lawyers in Alabama,” 2011-2015, 2017
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent Rating
  • Recognized in Chambers USA, “America's Leading Lawyers for Business,” Labor and Employment, 2012-2013, 2017, 2018
  • Recognized in B-Metro Magazine, "Top Lawyers" List, 2018
  • Recognized in Birmingham Magazine, Top Attorneys, 2016
  • Recognized in Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2016, 2017
Education
  • University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1999
    • Virginia Journal of Social Policy and the Law
    • Moot Court
  • University of South Alabama, B.A., cum laude, 1991
    • Omicron Delta Kappa
Bar Admissions
  • Alabama, 1999
  • Texas, 2016
  • Florida, 2016
  • Georgia, 2016
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • Supreme Court of Alabama, 1999
  • U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern
  • Districts of Alabama, 1999
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 2005
Professional Affiliations
  • American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
  • Alabama State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
  • Birmingham Bar Association, Women Lawyers Section
  • National Association of Women Lawyers
Chambers USA 2018
Super Lawyers 2017
Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers
Super Lawyers
Top Attorneys 2016