“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
- May 3, 2018Chambers USA 2018 Recognizes Bressler Attorneys and Practices
Bressler is pleased to announce that seven firm attorneys have been recognized as leading lawyers in their respective practice areas in the prestigious directory of … Read more
- April 18, 2018Bressler Birmingham Attorneys Recognized by B-Metro Magazine
Bressler, Amery & Ross is pleased to announce that three firm attorneys have been selected to B-Metro's Top Lawyers 2018 list.… Read more
- January 11, 2018Janell Ahnert to Serve as Chair of Birmingham Regional Economic Council
Bressler Principal Janell Ahnert will serve as 2018 Chair of the Birmingham Regional Economic Council (BREC) for the Birmingham Business Alliance.… Read more
- November 8, 201712 Bressler Attorneys Recognized by Mid-South Super Lawyers in 2017
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that seven firm attorneys have been selected to the 2017 Mid-South Super Lawyers list and five firm attorneys wer… Read more
- August 15, 2017Best Lawyers in America 2018 Recognizes Bressler Attorneys
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that 26 firm attorneys have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2018 list, one of the leg… Read more
- May 26, 2017Chambers USA 2017 Recognizes Bressler Attorneys and Practices
Bressler is pleased to announce that four firm attorneys have been recognized as leading lawyers in their respective practice areas in the prestigious directory of 2… Read more
- December 5, 2016Bressler Selected as 2016 Pro Bono Midsize Firm of the Year By Birmingham Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program
Bressler has been selected as the 2016 Pro Bono Midsize Firm of the Year by Birmingham Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program (BBVLP).… Read more
- November 9, 2016Bressler Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers' Top Listings
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that 13 lawyers have been named to Super Lawyers' Top Listings. Two lawyers have been recognized among the Top 5… Read more
- August 15, 2016Best Lawyers in America 2017 Recognizes Bressler Attorneys
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that twenty firm attorneys have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017 list, one of… Read more
- May 23, 2016Law360 Quotes Janell Ahnert on High Court's Constructive Discharge Ruling
Law360, New York (May 23, 2016, 7:16 PM ET) -- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that the filing period for a constructive discharge claim starts to run when an em… Read more
- April 1, 20164 Bressler Attorneys Named 2016 'Top Attorney' By Birmingham Magazine
Bressler, Amery & Ross is pleased to announce that four attorneys have been recognized by Birmingham Magazine in its 2016 “Top Attorneys” issue. Janell M. Ahnert –… Read more
- March 20, 2016Janell Ahnert Named to B-Metro's Top Lawyers 2016
Bressler, Amery & Ross is pleased to announce that principal Janell M. Ahnert has been included in B-Metro’s annual list of Birmingham’s leading attorneys. The compl… Read more
- August 17, 2015Best Lawyers in America 2016 Recognizes Bressler Attorneys
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that seventeen firm attorneys have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016 list, one of … Read more
- July 24, 2015Bressler's Birmingham Office Volunteers at First Light
Bressler’s Birmingham office is proud to once again support and volunteer with First Light, a center for homeless women and children. On July 24, Bressler attorney… Read more
- April 30, 201512 Bressler Attorneys Recognized by Alabama Super Lawyers
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that eight firm attorneys have been selected to the 2015 Alabama Super Lawyers list and four attorneys were selec… Read more
- January 13, 2015Bressler's Birmingham Office Volunteers at First Light
On January 13, Bressler, Amery & Ross attorneys and staff members volunteered at First Light, a center for homeless women and children. With the shelter currently at… Read more
- August 18, 2014Sixteen Bressler, Amery & Ross Attorneys Listed in 2015 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that sixteen Firm attorneys have been named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2015 list.* The 2015 edition of The B… Read more
- February 26, 2014Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. Continues Growth in New Birmingham Office
Bressler represents clients nationally in employment, securities, regulatory & litigation matters NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 26, 2014 – Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is ple… Read more
- February 3, 2014Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. Enhances National Strength with New Group in Birmingham, AL
Representing clients nationally in employment, securities, regulatory & litigation matters… Read more
Speaking
- June 22, 2016Bressler Seminar: Breakfast Briefing on Labor and Employment Law
On March 9, 2016, Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. will host a Breakfast Briefing on Labor and Employment Law in our Birmingham office. The seminar will be moderated by … Read more
- May 3, 2016The Southeastern Women in Financial Services Kickoff Meeting
Bressler attorneys Janell Ahnert, Andrea Greene, Alise Henry and Sara Soto will speak at the kickoff meeting for the Southeastern Women in Financial Services (SWIFS)… Read more
- March 9, 2016Bressler Seminar: Breakfast Briefing on Labor and Employment Law
On March 9, 2016, Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. will host a Breakfast Briefing on Labor and Employment Law in our Birmingham office. The seminar will be moderated by … Read more
- October 16, 2013Labor & Employment Law Seminar 2013
Janell Ahnert will present on the topic of "Mediation and Settlement Negotiation Strategies" at the 2013 Labor and Employment Law Seminar.… Read more
- November 3, 2011Labor and Employment Law Update
Janell Ahnert will be speaking at the Labor and Employment Law Update about "Staving Off 'Off-the-Clock' Claims." Janell Ahnert and Stuart Roberts will be speaking a… Read more
Publications
- May 24, 2016Deadline to File Claim Begins to Run for Constructive Discharge Upon Notice of Resignation
Labor and Employment Law Alert… Read more
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 Birmingham Magazine, Top Attorneys, 2016
- Recognized in Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2016, 2017
Services
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
