Biography & Background
Upbringing
Having grown up on a farm in rural North Idaho, and as a lifelong resident of the state, Ben Allen understands the unique intricacies of Idaho life. After graduating as the valedictorian of his high school class, he attended Boise State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree with Distinguished Honors and was named a Presidential Civic Leader.
Following his undergraduate studies, Ben attended Gonzaga University School of Law, where he was involved in numerous civic service activities. During law school, he also served as the founding president of the Gonzaga Rod and Gun Club, an outdoor advocacy organization formed to promote conservation, Second Amendment rights, and sustainable hunting and fishing practices.
Legal Career
Ben’s legal career began in Lemhi County, where he clerked for the Honorable Stephen Clark in Idaho’s Seventh Judicial District. He completed law school internships with the United States Attorney’s Office in Coeur d’Alene and with Wither’s Law Office, a rural general practice firm in Salmon, Idaho. After earning his law degree and successfully passing the Idaho Bar Exam, Ben embarked on a concurrent career as a prosecutor and civil attorney in North Idaho.
In 2015, Ben began practicing civil law under the mentorship of the now Honorable Keisha L. Oxendine. In 2017, Silver Valley Law was established, where Ben became a partner and continues to practice today. The firm focuses on serving local public entities, including municipalities, water districts, and sewer districts, helping fill a critical gap in legal representation for these organizations. The firm also represents individuals and small businesses in areas including civil litigation, estate planning, probate, employment law, property law, and business law.
Ben’s criminal law experience began in 2013 at the Lemhi County Prosecutor’s Office. In 2014, he joined the Shoshone County Prosecutor’s Office, initially performing legal research and writing functions before becoming a full-time Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in 2015. In 2018, he was promoted to Chief Deputy, a role he held until 2022 when he became the elected Prosecuting Attorney. Since that time, Ben has run in two elections to retain his seat, leading all candidates across all offices in total votes in both elections.
As Prosecuting Attorney, Ben is responsible for prosecuting all crimes within Shoshone County, including infractions, misdemeanors, felonies, juvenile and child protection cases, and mental commitment proceedings. He also serves as legal counsel to other elected county officials, advising on civil liability issues and defending the county in civil actions. His role requires regular courtroom appearances and involvement in both trial and transactional work. Ben has tried cases at every level of the Idaho court system, including multiple homicide cases, and has litigated matters up to the Idaho Supreme Court.
Outside of the Office
When not in a courtroom or conference room, Ben can often be found in the outdoors with his labrador retrievers, volunteering in the community with his wife and two children, or supporting youth activities throughout the region. He has coached youth sports, volunteered in youth ministries, and has served as a sports official for 17 years, refereeing at both the high school and collegiate levels, including numerous state championship games.
Ben has also served as president of both the Rotary Club and the Kiwanis Club, where he helped overhaul high school scholarship programs for civic service organizations in the Silver Valley and established grants to support innovative classroom projects for public school educators. His lifelong appreciation for Idaho’s outdoors, from hunting and fishing to rafting and skiing, reinforces his deep connection to the place he proudly calls home.
Judicial Aspirations
Ben Allen is seeking the role of District Judge with a clear understanding of the responsibility and trust placed in the judiciary. His approach to the bench is grounded in experience, impartiality, and respect for the rule of law.
Having served as a judicial clerk, prosecutor, civil attorney, and legal advisor to public entities, Ben has seen the justice system from multiple perspectives. He believes judges must listen carefully, apply the law consistently, and make decisions that are fair, well-reasoned, and rooted in legal precedent. Above all, he believes the courtroom must remain a place where every individual is treated with dignity and respect, and where confidence in the justice system is preserved.
Professional Awards
Presidential Civic Leader
CALI Award for Legal Writing
Pro Bono Distinction Award
Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award
Idaho Municipal Attorney’s Pillar of the Community Award
Idaho Business Review Top Law Firm Partner
North Idaho Business Review Top 40 Under 40
Idaho Academy of Leadership for Lawyers (Graduate)
Leadership Positions
Elected Prosecuting Attorney, Shoshone County
Managing Partner, Silver Valley Law
Founding President - Gonzaga Rod and Gun Club
Past President - Rotary Club
Past President - Kiwanis Club
Past President - North Idaho Officials Association
Chairman - Idaho Association of Counties (D1)
Chairman - Shoshone County Drug Task Force
Idaho Academy of Leadership for Lawyers (Graduate)
Volunteer Service Organizations
Ducks Unlimited
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Silver Valley Kiwanis
Kellogg Rotary
Silver Valley Snack Pack
Dare to Imagine
North Idaho Officials Association
State Hunter’s Education Instructor (IDFG)
Boone & Crockett Club (Official Measurer)