Forty Under 40: Alan G. Bryan

Alan Bryan’s life would have turned out differently if he had stuck with his original plan entering the University of Arkansas.

He left the small town of Morrilton with an eye on becoming a doctor, but quickly realized he was more suited for the legal profession.

“The ability to bring differing sides to common ground gives me great satisfaction,” he said.

Bryan joined Walmart in 2011 and after two years was elevated to his current role of leading the Office of Outside Counsel Management, acting as a liaison between the retailer’s in-house legal staff and the approved list of about 900 law firms who do work for the company in the United States.

“I am the island in between,” he said.

Bryan, who lives in Fayetteville with his wife and two children, ages 3 and 18 months, has developed multiple initiatives for the Walmart legal department, including a scorecard used to measure efficiency among the company’s litigation firms.

Bryan enjoys cooking to unwind, and he is involved with a number of diverse bar associations. He is also a board member of the nonprofit DirectWomen, a national organization working to increase the number of female lawyers on corporate boards.

Before Walmart, he spent 10 years (2001-2011) as an attorney at Friday, Eldredge & Clark, the state’s largest law firm, where he became a partner.

His advice to up-and-comers? Find a passion and get involved.

“Do not rely on keeping your head down and working hard as the way to a fulfilling career,” he said.