FAST FIVE: Before he takes the bench, meet Benjamin Allen

For more than a decade, the people of Shoshone County have come to know Benjamin Allen through a variety of roles. Some know him as a prosecuting attorney. Others know him as a high school basketball referee, a hunter education instructor, a church volunteer, or simply a familiar face at community events. 

Beginning in 2027, he'll take on a new title: Judge Benjamin Allen. 

Allen was elected district judge for Shoshone and Benewah counties and will soon assume one of the region's most important public offices. Before he takes the bench, the News-Press sat down with Allen to learn more about the person behind the robe. 

You're not exactly from the area, but how did your upbringing in Kooskia shape who you are and what you're interested in?  

Growing up on a cattle farm off the Clearwater River, I was immersed in a blue-collar environment. The importance of hard work and diligence were cornerstones of my youth and instilled an appreciation in me for the farming, mining, and timber industries which drove our local economy. In this area, consulting with an attorney often required driving over an hour to reach the office of a law firm, a void which I distinctly recall being led to fill at a young age. Following law school, I sought out a community which could provide a close semblance to my hometown and enable me to fulfill my childhood dream of bringing people-focused legal services to a rural community.

Why law? What made you want to pursue a career in the legal system?  

I aspired to be an attorney as far back as I can remember. On career day in elementary school, I selected “attorney” from a long list of potential occupations and, candidly, I never looked back. Although the clarity of what type of law I wanted to practice did not reveal itself until I entered the workforce, the mental demands of the legal profession was never a challenge I shied away from. After arriving in the Silver Valley, I quickly gained an appreciation for the overlapping tasks of a legal profession in a rural area and realized that this community needed competent practitioners in a number of areas of law, spanning from criminal prosecution to estate planning, and over the past decade I have set my mind to learning as many different types of law as possible.  

If heaven were a place on earth, where would it be for you?  

Although I have been blessed with seeing many parts of the world, a vision of heaven on earth returns me to Idaho every time. A Muir topographic map of the Frank Church Wilderness sits prominently displayed on the wall in my office, representing just such a place. The Frank Church Wilderness, consisting of large swaths of roadless lands, backcountry airstrips, and old trapping cabins, yet abutting some of our state’s most prominent operational mines, stands as a symbol of what is possible when society delicately balances a need for preservation with economic sustainability, all while opening the gates of recreation for us to use and enjoy our natural resources.  

Desert Island movies. You have three movies to watch for the rest of your life... What are they and why?  

1. Shooter (2007) - Simply the best of Mark Wahlberg; 2. The Patriot (2000) - While lacking in historical accuracy, there is something iconic about telling our country’s Revolutionary War story through the lens of Mel Gibson portraying a conflict-averse, yet “don’t tread on me” depiction of an American father willing to fight for family and freedom. 3. Despicable Me (2010) - I can only hope that this desert island allows me to be accompanied by my two young children, so certainly placing their favorite on this list would be necessary. What is there not to like about Steve Carell's transformation from “bad” to “dad”?  

Is there anything about being a judge that intimidates you, and what are you doing to overcome that?  

To be asked by the voters of North Idaho to serve as the next District Judge of Shoshone and Benewah Counties is humbling. While I had always hoped that God would open a door for me to transition to the bench at the end of my legal career, I did not envision the day coming so soon. I recognize that there are high expectations for those serving as District Judges, both intellectually and morally, which expectations are likely to be scrutinized greater without the age many others have on the bench. As a society, we can be quick to judge and slow to seek understanding. Support from those within the community and an interest in understanding why our legal system must operate the way it does will be vital components for me to successfully serve our community in this new role.