She was employed as a federal court intern through the Women's Law Fund from 1973 to 1974.

[2] Wells maintained a private law practice for six years (1975–1978 and 1980–1983) in Cleveland, interrupted by two years (1979–1980) as director of the ABAR III Civil Rights Litigation Support Center at the Cleveland State University College of Law.

She was adjunct professor at the Cleveland State University College of Law (1980–1981) and adjunct assistant professor, College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University (1980–1983 and 1990–1992).

[2] After more than a decade as a Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas judge (1983–1994), President Bill Clinton nominated her on November 19, 1993, for a judgeship vacated by John Michael Manos.

Wells was married to the late Charles F. Clarke, a partner in the multinational law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey.