Barbara J. Wells
Shareholder
150 South Perry Street (36104)
P. O. Box 2069 (36102-2069)
Montgomery, AL
Education:
J.D., cum laude, University of Michigan Law School, 1993
A.B., with distinction, University of Michigan, 1989
Bar Admissions:
Alabama, 1995
Illinois, 1994
Admitted to Practice
Supreme Court of Alabama
Supreme Court of Illinois
U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Alabama
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Judicial Clerkship
U.S. District Court Judge W. Harold Albritton, III (Aug. 1994 - Aug. 1995)
U.S. District Court Judge Mark E. Fuller (Dec. 2002 - Oct. 2011)
Honors and Awards
Carl Gussin Memorial Prize (Outstanding Clinical Student)
Campbell Moot Court Competition Quarter and Semi-Finalist
Best Oralist Award
The Best Lawyers in America - Labor & Employment Litigation; Individuals Employment Law
Best Lawyers - Montgomery Labor & Employment Litigation Lawyer of the Year, 2016
Best Lawyers - Woman Lawyer of the Year, 2016
Best Lawyers - Montgomery Labor & Employment Litigation Lawyer of the Year, 2017
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating Award
Boy Scouts of America District Award of Merit
- Handles lead-counsel responsibility for large or complex cases
- Repeatedly obtains favorable rulings on key motions
- Draws upon years of experience attained at the side of local federal judges to help clients formulate strategies for successful resolution of litigation
- Uses oral advocacy to effectively obtain desired result
- Advocate and advisor to clients
- Drafts or revises personnel policies and employee handbooks
- Recommends action for employers facing trouble with employees
- Conducts fact-finding investigation
- Manages client work to attain the best result for the lowest expense
Significant Recent Decisions:
Duncan v. Ala. Dep’t of Transp., CV-2013-902143 (Montgomery County Circuit Court)
Parten v. Alabama Tourism Dep’t, CW-2013-01621 (Montgomery County Circuit Court)
Abrams, et al., v. Tuberville, et al., 3:12cv177-MHT (M.D. Ala.)
McKitt v. Ala. Alcoholic Beverage Control Bd., et al., 2:12-cv-673-WHA (M.D. Ala.)
Perry, et al. v. Ala. Alcoholic Beverage Control Bd., et al., 2:11cv-464-WHA (M.D. Ala.)
Powell v. Doane, et al., 2:12-cv-440-WHA (M.D. Ala.)
Pinkney v. MOBIS Ala., LLC, 2:11cv244-WKW (M.D. Ala.)
Adams, et al. v. Attorney General of Ala., et al., 2:11cv621-WKW (M.D. Ala.)
Hundley v. U. S. Security Assocs., et al., 2:11cv1010-CSC (M.D. Ala.)
Wood, et al. v. Bailey Harris Constr. Co.,2:11cv136-WHA (M.D. Ala.)
Mims v. Chilton Med. Ctr., et al., 2:11cv41-MHT (M.D. Ala.)
Memberships, Affiliations, and Activities
American Inns of Court, Hugh Maddox Chapter - Master Bencher
Montgomery Education Foundation - Board Member
Boy Scouts of America - Cub Scout and Webelos Den Leader
Tukabatchee Area Council - Executive Board Member
2014 and 2015 Ecunchatee District Friends of Scouting Campaign Chair
Bear Exploration Center PTA - Member and Volunteer
Leadership Montgomery Legacy Program - Graduate, Class XXXII
St. John's Episcopal Church - Member
Q & A
How are you involved in your community?
I am a Board Member and volunteer for the Montgomery Education Foundation. I am a long-time volunteer for the Tukabatchee Council of the Boy Scouts of America. I currently serve as an Assistant Scoutmaster for one troop, a committee member for another troop, and a merit badge counsel. I am an active member of the PTSA organizations at Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School and at Floyd Middle Magnet School where my three sons are students.
What previous experiences influence your practice?
I tried cases in a clinic as a law student and caught the trial lawyer bug pretty hard from those early formative experiences. I also prize my clerkships for two U.S. District Court Judges for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama as having been very significant influences on my practice.
Why did you choose to work at Capell & Howard?
When I knew I was moving to Montgomery, I asked a trusted mentor who happened to be a U.S. District Court Judge to recommend a high-quality law firm that he thought might be a good fit for my interests, and he recommended Capell & Howard.