40 Under 40: Ben Allen

Ben Allen wears two hats, neither of which ever really comes off.

As Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney, he oversees a full office that includes three attorneys, five legal assistants and a steady flow of student interns. The role requires being on call 24-7.

Allen is also a partner in the civil firm Silver Valley Law, which represents rural communities throughout North Idaho. While providing services such as estate planning, business law and gun trusts, the firm also helps public entities in underserved communities.

“I grew up in a rural area of north-central Idaho where the closest attorney to my town was an hour drive away,” he said. “The absence of professional services that is seen in many parts of rural Idaho instilled in me a desire from a young age to pursue a career in law and bring that knowledge back to communities in Idaho which share that common void.”

Though raising two young children makes it challenging to find the time, Allen and his wife continue to volunteer with mission groups, coach youth sports and serve on boards for civil service organizations such as the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.

“I firmly believe that reinvesting in the youth of our society is the key to a sustainable future,” he said.