The Law Office of Watkins Calcara, Chtd. in Great Bend announced ArNell Briel of Great Bend celebrated her 40th year with the firm on Sept. 1. 

“ArNell has been a vital part of the success of Watkins Calcara for 40 years. She takes great pride and ownership in the firm, and we are fortunate and extremely grateful for her years of service to our clients and the firm.” said Mark Calcara, president. 

“The last 40 years have gone by so quickly. We have such wonderful and caring attorneys and such amazing staff,” Briel said. “I have always enjoyed coming to work. We’re all like family, and that’s why I’m still here.” 

A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Kansas State University, she taught French and Spanish in the Junction City school system while her husband was in veterinary school. After his graduation, then a tour of duty with the Army Veterinary Corps, they returned to Great Bend in the mid-1970s.

When she returned to the work force and there was no position open for a French teacher in the Great Bend schools, she began work as a legal assistant in a local firm for six years, before joining Watkins Calcara, Chtd when that firm began in 1983. After 10 years, she phased into the business side of the firm and has been billing manager since that time. 

ArNell is married to Jon, with Animal Care Hospital in Great Bend, and they have two daughters, Hayley (Shane) Dicks of Great Bend, and Wendy (Shane) Sundahl of Larned, and four grandchildren, Dalton and Parker Dicks, and Slade and Darby Sundahl.