Hi, I'm Allen

I was born in the small farming community of Red Oak, located in southwest Iowa. When I was two years old, in February of 1992, my family moved to Shakopee, where my father took a management position at the former Kmart in the Shakopee Towne Square. I grew up in the Shakopee, Savage, and Prior Lake communities until I graduated High School.

Two weeks after graduation, I left for Marine Corps Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego. After completing boot camp, initial infantry training, and school for my occupation as a Motor Vehicle Operator, I was stationed in Iwakuni, Japan. Our primary duties were completing humanitarian relief missions and community relations projects, as well as deterring military threats from North Korea. 

Following my tour in Japan, I was stationed in Camp Lejeune where I was in charge of an armory until I was Honorably Discharged. Following my discharge, I returned home to Prior Lake and began attending college at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Political Science and a minor in Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Deviance.  

From there I was accepted at the University of St. Thomas School of Law where I completed a dual Juris Doctor and Master of Public Policy. During my time at St. Thomas, I moved from Prior Lake to Minneapolis to be closer to school.

While in law school, I was hired by the Scott County Public Defender’s office as a law clerk. My primary responsibility was to make bail arguments for indigent defendants. After this clerkship ended, I transitioned into a clerkship at the Scott County Attorney’s Office and the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office. As a law clerk I handled arraignment calendars, petty misdemeanor court trials, and assisted attorneys with research and writing.  

While clerking at the Scott County Attorney’s Office, I was given the opportunity to spearhead the creation of the Scott County Veterans Treatment Court. I gathered stakeholders from many agencies throughout the county, as well as outside agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, and formed a steering committee, which solidified the policies and procedures for the program. I co-authored the federal grant application that resulted in a $400,000 award to establish the program. I presented to the Scott County Board, which authorized the program and provided additional funding unanimously. 

Following graduation from law school, I began working full time at the Scott County Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor in the Juvenile Division. In addition to my responsibilities in Veterans Court, my caseload consisted of crimes ranging from petty tobacco possession to serious felony sex crimes. I also served as one of the prosecutors in the Scott County Drug Treatment Court. I eventually transitioned to the adult criminal division, prosecuting misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor offenses. 

After leaving the Scott County Attorney’s Office, I began working at Hennepin County Adult Representation Services, which represents indigent clients facing civil matters such as eviction, child protection, contempt, and guardianships and conservatorships. 

Personally, I’m a continually disappointed Minnesota sports fan, with a particular passion for the Twins and baseball. I’ve played softball in the south metro for over ten years and continue to play in a softball league in Savage to this day. I enjoy traveling the world but I equally enjoy spending time at home with my dogs, my girlfriend, and her two kids.