Judge Michael E. Allen

• Birth date: December 16, 1949

• Birthplace: Quincy, Gadsden County, Florida

• Spouse: Hilda Russell Allen

• Children: Two (Susan and Sarah)

• Degrees: B.S., Florida State University, 1971; J.D., Stetson University College of Law, 1975.

• Offices and Positions: Chief Judge, District Court of Appeal, First District, July 2001 to June 2003; Judge, District Court of Appeal, First District, January 1990 to present; Public Defender, Second Judicial Circuit, January 1981 to January 1990; private practice of law, October 1975 to December 1980; Assistant State Attorney, Second Judicial Circuit, October 1978 to March 1980.

• Judicial, Legal, and Teaching Activities: Chairman, District Court of Appeal Budget Commission, July 2002 to June 2003; Adjunct Professor of Law, Florida State University College of Law, August 1998 to April 2001; faculty member, Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, 1994 through 1998; speaker in numerous continuing legal education programs; twice elected president, Florida Public Defenders Association; past president, Gadsden County Bar Association; former chairman, Criminal Justice Information Systems Council; former member, Judicial Council of Florida; former member, Justice  Administrative Commission; former member, Florida Parole and Probation Commission Qualifications Committee; service on numerous committees of the Florida Bar and the Supreme Court of Florida; membership in various national, state, and local organizations devoted to the improvement of the bench and bar.

• Honors and Awards: L. Clayton Nance Award (for distinguished public service) (1995);  First Honorary Life Member, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (1990); Honorary Life Member, Florida Public Defenders Association (1989)