Changing the World One Person at a Time with Judge Michael Allen

Judge Michael Allen speaks about his path to serving as one of nine judges on the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the youngest federal court, created in 1988. Appeals of all benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs are heard by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Judge Allen speaks about the family members and teachers who mentored him and made a difference in his life. Hear his special stories of visiting the White House to interview for the seat on the bench before being confirmed by the Senate in August of 2017, when Chief Justice John Roberts swore him in and the unique impact a lawyer had in his parents’ lives. Judge Allen explains that the goal of a judge is much like that of a baseball umpire: to get it right. “Judge Michael Allen was nominated by the President of the United States in June 2017. He was confirmed by the United States Senate, and appointed a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in August 2017. United States District Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich of the Middle District of Florida administered the judicial oath to Judge Allen on August 11, 2017.For 16 years before his judicial appointment, Judge Allen was a tenured full professor of law at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida. He was also the director of Stetson's Veterans Law Institute, and he spent four years as the College of Law's associate dean. Judge Allen also served as a visiting professor of law at the University of Illinois College of Law. Before entering teaching, Judge Allen practiced law for nine years in the litigation department of the Boston-based international law firm Ropes & Gray.Judge Allen graduated summa cum laude from the University of Rochester earning bachelor's degrees in American history and political science. He received his juris doctor from Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar during his final two years.As a professor, Judge Allen taught courses in constitutional law, civil procedure, federal courts, remedies, and veterans benefits law. He has been a prolific author, cowriting two books and more than 25 articles and essays. Judge Allen also received numerous awards for his scholarship and teaching including the Stetson University Award for Excellence in Scholarship, the Brown-Dickerson Award for Excellence in Scholarship, the Stetson University Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Stetson University Award for Excellence in Professionalism and Career Development. He also received the Stetson's Golden Apple Award for teaching and was twice named the best all-around professor.Judge Allen was also a frequent speaker at community and professional groups while in legal education. Among his speaking engagements were featured roles at the judicial conferences of the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In addition, Judge Allen testified before the Veterans' Affairs Committees of both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives.Before taking the bench, Judge Allen was active in professional associations. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Southeastern Association of Law Schools and was the Chair of the American Association of Law Schools' sections on Remedies and New Law Teachers. He is also active in his synagogue where, along with his wife, he received the Shofar Award for community service.” (US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims). United States Court of Appeals for Veteran ClaimsBob Feller Act of Valor Award FoundationHosts: Tyler Buchholz and Colin KirkEditor: Jack MetcalfeSupport the show