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Areas of Emphasis and Related Experience. Practice focuses on public finance and related legislative activities, including developing mechanisms for providing infrastructure for new development; working with both public and private entities on a wide range of issues related to construction, financing, and operation of public infrastructure; and representing private entities contracting with public bodies. Mr. Allen has served as both general counsel and bond counsel to public entities in a wide variety of financings, including tax increment reinvestment zones for major retail developments and the first toll road in Fort Bend County, Texas. Education and Professional Background. Baylor University (B.A., 1965); Omicron Delta Kappa; Alpha Chi; Baylor University (L.L.B. (J.D.), 1967); Vinson & Elkins (1975-2003); Naman, Howell, Smith, & Chase, Waco, Texas (1967-1975).
Member. State Bar of Texas; Houston Bar Association; National Association of Bond Lawyers; Special District Associations (Advisory Board and Trustee since 1978); Association of Water Board Directors (General Counsel); Utility District Advisory Corporation; Co-Chair, Mayor's Transition Team Subcommittee on Houston's Legal Department and Municipal Court; Governor's Committee on Water Resources Management; Mayor Lanier's Transition Team; Wastewater Regionalization Task Force, Infrastructure Committee, Water Supply and Wastewater Committee, Houston Chamber of Commerce; Wastewater Regionalization Task Force, City of Houston; I-69 Task Force, Greater Houston Partnership; Executive Committee, Fort Bend Economic Development Council; Fort Bend Economic Development Council Executive Committee; Board of Directors, West Houston Association; Special District Associations: Advisory Board and Trustee (since 1978), Association of Water Board Directors; General Counsel, Utility District Advisory Corporation.
Texas Legislative Activities. Mr. Allen was the principal author and lobbyist of major laws, including S.B. 249 (reorganized the Texas Department of Water Resources into the Water Development Board and the Texas Water Commission) (1985); Impact Fee Act (1987); Special District bankruptcy statute (required Texas Water Commission approval for any special district to file for bankruptcy) (1987); Special District legislative package (16 new laws to correct statutory deficiencies) (1989); S.B. 626 which achieved a comprehensive reorganization and recodification of the statutes affecting the administration and operations of Special Districts (1995); S.B. 1865 (35 changes in the statutes affecting the administration and operations of Special Districts )(1997); S.B. 1444 (numerous changes to the Water Code to allow water districts to operate more efficiently and effectively) (2001); H.B. 1541 which made 55 changes in status affecting the administrations and operations of special districts (2003); S.J.R. 30 and S.B. 624 which authorizes special districts to finance parks and recreational facilities (2003); H.B. 2876 which made major reforms to certificates of convenience and necessity. | 