Barbara J. Wells
Shareholder
Phone
(334) 241-8016
Barbara.Wells@chlaw.com
Barbara Wells handles lead-counsel responsibility for large or complex cases from pretrial through appeal. She repeatedly obtains favorable rulings on key motions and draws upon years of experience attained at the side of local federal judges to help clients formulate strategies for successful resolution of litigation. She practices in both federal courts and in state courts. She also handles matters before administrative law judges and commissions.
In addition to her litigation practice, Barbara also serves as an advisor to clients. She assists with formulating employee handbook policies and personnel policies. Barbara suggests approaches that both serve client goals and minimize litigation. She also conducts workplace investigations.
In 2017, Barbara completed mediator training and has since mediated a number of cases. She enjoys the challenge of finding creative solutions to resolve disputes.
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
The Best Lawyers in America – Labor & Employment Litigation; Employment Law – Management; Employment Law – Individuals
Best Lawyers – Montgomery Labor & Employment Litigation Lawyer of the Year, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021
Best Lawyers – Woman Lawyer of the Year, 2016
Super Lawyers – Employment & Labor
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating Award
Boy Scouts of America District Award of Merit, Tukabatchee Area Council Silver Beaver Award
Carl Gussin Memorial Prize (Outstanding Clinical Student)
Campbell Moot Court Competition Quarter and Semi-Finalist
Best Oralist Award
Publications and Lectures
“Same Sex and the City: What the Municipal Employer Needs to Know about the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage”, Sept. 2015 Alabama Municipal Journal, Vol. 73, Number 2
Numerous speaking engagements on topics such as employment law, federal practice, and Alabama’s Medical Cannabis Law
Memberships, Affiliations, and Activities
American Inns of Court, Hugh Maddox Chapter, Master Bencher
Montgomery Education Foundation, Advisory Board Member
Boy Scouts of America, Merit Badge Instructor, Troop Advancement Chair, Explorer Post Leader
Ecunchatee District Friends of Scouting Campaign Chair (2014-15)
Leadership Montgomery Legacy Program, Graduate, Class XXXII
Women In Training, Board President (2019-20)
Significant Recent Decisions
Recent Trials:
Pullin v. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and John “Hal” Taylor, in his Official Capacity as the Secretary of ALEA, obtained defense verdict after a two-day bench trial in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, AL (2021)
Mercer v. ALDOT, obtained defense verdict after a four-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the N.D. Ala (2019)
Perry v. Alabama ABC Board, obtained defense verdict after a four-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the M.D. Ala (2017)
Representative Cases:
Abrams, et al. v. Stroud, et al., (M.D. Ala.) – Securities Fraud
Bailey v. DAS North America, (M.D. Ala.) – Employment
Chaney v. DAS North America, (M.D. Ala.) – Employment
Constructions Materials, Inc. v. Christopher Hatcher, (M.D. Ala.) – Non-Compete Agreement Litigation
Crum, et al. v. State of Alabama, (M.D. Ala.) – Employment class action
Duncan v. State of Alabama, (M.D. Ala. & 11th Cir.) – Employment
Flute v. Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Paroles, (N.D. Ala.) – Employment
Grant v. Office of the Attorney General, et al., (M.D. Ala.) – Employment
Green v. Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, et al., (M.D. Ala.) – Constitutional Litigation
Green v. Graham, (M.D. Ala. & 11th Cir.) – Constitutional Litigation
Green v. Mobis Alabama, LLC et al., (M.D. Ala.) – Employment
Hollon v. DAS North America, (M.D. Ala.) – Employment
IMO US Development LLC v. Triple C Development Inc., (N.D. Ala.) – Business Litigation
Iverson v. City of Montgomery, (M.D. Ala.) – Constitutional Litigation
Leach v. Guardian Credit Union, (M.D. Ala.) – Employment
Leberman v. Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles, et al., (M.D. Ala.) – Employment
McDade v. Alabama Dep’t of Transportation, (M.D. Ala.) – Employment
McDill v. Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles, et al., (M.D. Ala.) – Employment
Mercer v. Alabama Dep’t of Transportation (N.D. Ala.) – Employment
McKitt v. Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Bd., (M.D. Ala. & 11th Cir.) – Employment
Perry, et al. Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Bd., (M.D. Ala. & 11th Cir.) – Employment
Powell v. Doane, (M.D. Ala.) – Constitutional Litigation
Pullin v. ALEA, et al., (Montgomery Cir. Court) – Employment
Smith v. Alabama Office of Attorney General, et al., (M.D. Ala. & 11th Cir.) – Employment
CoachComm, LLC v. Westcom Wirelss, Inc., (M.D. Ala.) – Intellectual Property Litigation
Other Professional Experience
Actress
Adjunct Professor of Law
Contact Information
150 South Perry Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
p: (334) 241-8016
f: (334) 323-8888