[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                  Nomination of Ann Marie McIff Allen

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm 
Judge Ann Marie Allen to the U.S. District Court for the District of 
Utah.
  Born in Richfield, UT, Judge Allen earned her B.A. from Brigham Young 
University and her J.D. from Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark 
Law School.
  After teaching at BYU J. Reuben Clark Law School and Utah Valley 
University, Judge Allen began working in private practice under a 
public defender contract with Beaver County, UT, handling indigent 
defense cases and Criminal Justice Act panel appointments in Federal 
criminal matters.
  In 2007, Judge Allen became the deputy Iron County attorney and 
prosecuted a range of felonies and misdemeanors. She returned to 
private practice in 2013 while also serving part-time as the deputy 
Garfield County attorney. In 2016, Judge Allen was appointed by the 
president of Southern Utah University to serve as the university's 
special counsel and director of ethics and compliance. She became the 
university's first general counsel in 2018. In 2020, Judge Allen was 
appointed by then-Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert to the Utah State Fifth 
District Court. Over the course of her judicial career, she has 
presided over hundreds of civil cases and thousands of criminal cases 
resulting in plea bargains.
  The American Bar Association unanimously rated Judge Allen as ``well 
qualified,'' and she has the strong support of Senators Lee and Romney. 
Her nomination was unanimously advanced by the Judiciary Committee.
  Judge Allen's significant courtroom experience and dedication to 
service make her an excellent nominee to the District of Utah. I will 
vote in favor of her confirmation and encourage my colleagues to do the 
same.