After serving four decades, local judge calls it a career

Posted 5/30/17

He wasn’t kidding: Since 1981, the Honorable Judge Allison has been a fixture in municipal court, as well as at his law practice located in downtown Powell. But after a career in law spanning four decades, Allison has decided to call it a career, …

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After serving four decades, local judge calls it a career

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Municipal Court Judge Jim Allison steps down from the bench this week

Powell Mayor John Wetzel recently described the long service of Municipal Court Judge Jim Allison and Municipal Court Clerk Joy Ness this way: “If your dog was at large or your driving habits suspect in the last few decades, you have met this team.”

He wasn’t kidding: Since 1981, the Honorable Judge Allison has been a fixture in municipal court, as well as at his law practice located in downtown Powell. But after a career in law spanning four decades, Allison has decided to call it a career, as has Ness. Their final day is Wednesday.

A Powell native, Allison graduated from Powell High School in 1966. He began his collegiate career at Northwest College before moving on to the University of Wyoming. After graduating law school, Allison worked a year as an associate for a local firm before hanging out his shingle on April 1, 1976.

Other than a brief stint on Clark Street, “I’ve been in this office since then,” Allison said, indicating his office on North Bent.

Allison served as an alternate justice of the peace from 1980-1988 and as justice of the peace from 1988 until 1994, when the county court system was put into place. While his 36-year run as municipal court judge will end this week, he’s slowly been closing down his private practice since last summer, when his secretary of 15 years, Carolee Neal, moved away from the area.

“I’ve practiced law for 42 years, and I’ll be 70 years old at the end of August,” Allison said, adding, “It was as good a time as any to stop.”

Allison said he’ll miss practicing law — especially bankruptcy law, his primary focus for about the last 10 years.

“I grew to love practicing bankruptcy law a lot,” he said. “I handled a lot of domestic relations cases before that, and bankruptcy is much easier and more challenging than domestic cases. Divorces have become very messy.”

Through his bankruptcy work, Allison helped people in financial trouble find solid footing and work toward a new beginning.

“These people got in trouble with medical bills and the like, and there was no way in God’s green earth they were going to be able to pay them,” Allison explained. “I was able to help them get a fresh start, and that was the most satisfying thing.”

A memorable career behind the bench

His years as a justice of the peace as well as municipal court judge were also fulfilling, as he presided over every kind of case one can imagine. He handled the more serious crimes as justice of the peace; he likes to kid that, as municipal court judge, it was all about the dogs.

“I tell people that I used to wear white socks to serve on the bench,” he said, laughing. “Now all my socks are yellow. The dogs think I’m a fire hydrant.”

Even the mayor was not immune from appearing in front of Allison for dog-related infractions, though he wasn’t mayor at the time.

“Unfortunately, I have had to go before Jim and plead my case,” Wetzel said at a reception for Allison and Ness Thursday at City Hall. “I had a dog that wasn’t so well-behaved. But he [Judge Allison] was kind, and luckily that was my first year living here.”

Wetzel then presented Allison with his robe and other mementos to commemorate his years of service.

“We sure appreciate all the hard work you’ve done for the city,” Wetzel said.

City Attorney Sandee Kitchen said she would miss working with Allison and Ness — and especially miss Allison’s sense of humor.

“Every court session, Jim always opened by introducing himself and then calling roll,” Kitchen said. “He would always tell those in the audience, ‘If you’re here, just say present, and if you’re not, just remain silent.’ It always brought a chuckle from those in court, and I think it allowed people to realize he was human. It took some of the tension off, and was always a really nice touch. And I laughed every time he said it, for decades.”

Beginning a new chapter

Allison serves on the board of the Powell Medical Foundation, Homesteader Museum and the Powell High School Alumni Committee as well as other volunteer work, things he will continue to do in retirement. He’s also going to concentrate on enjoying the fruits of his labor.

“I’m going to get some exercise, go camping, just try to enjoy things,” Allison said. “I’ve got some hobbies I’ve put off for years and years, and a couple of grandkids to chase around.”

Allison’s wife Christie agrees.

“I think it’s time,” she said. “We’re both getting older, and we’d like to do other things rather than be tied every Wednesday to the office. We want to stay busy.”

Christie Allison expressed pride in her husband’s work over the years and his commitment to the community in and out of the courtroom.

“I’m very proud of Jim for his honesty and integrity,” she said. “He’s always wanted fairness for everybody, and treated them that way. I’m just so proud of the man that he is and what he’s accomplished.”         

Giving credit where it’s due

Allison said he’s worked with a lot of great people over the years, not the least of whom were his wife Christie and Joy Ness. Both worked as Municipal Court Clerk, and Allison credits them for keeping things running smoothly and efficiently.

“Joy was very good with dealing with people, and we had a very good rapport with the public,” Judge Allison said. “Christie worked as clerk before Joy, and she also was very easy to work with and had a good rapport with defendants as well.”

Christie also praised Ness, saying that the amount of work she put in on behalf of the court would be a hard act to follow.

“Joy did just a super-great job,” she said. “She collected a lot of money for this city, and she was always willing to work with people on paying their fines. She was very honest and very fair with people.”

Judge Allison said he enjoyed watching how Ness would work with defendants, especially the repeat offenders.

“You should have listened to some of the messages she would get from people who didn’t make a payment on their fines,” he said, laughing at the memory. “It was always, ‘Please Joy, don’t put me back in jail! I want to pay this!’ Some of them were pretty funny, but she was always willing to work with people, and there were some regulars.”

As the final days of his tenure as judge wind down, Allison said he’s grateful to the community of Powell for their support and for the city leaders  who kept reappointing him to the bench.

“I appreciate the opportunity to serve as municipal judge for as long as I have,” Allison said. “It’s been a real blessing for me, and I’ve enjoyed doing it. I will miss it.”

Allison is being replaced on the bench by Bret Allred of Basin Law Group in Powell.

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