BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

A native Texan, Don Allee entered the U. S. Navy after graduating from high school. After attending training in New London, Connecticut, Don was assigned to the U.S.S. Odax, a submarine stationed in Key West, Florida. As a candidate from the Fleet, Don obtained an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, Don was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. His active duty service included two tours in the Vietnam area and one tour as Officer in Charge of the U.S.S. Parsons, a destroyer undergoing modernization at the Naval Shipyard in Long Beach, California. While stationed in California, Don met and married his wife, Cathi.

After leaving active duty, Don and his family returned to Texas where he obtained a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. In February 1973, Don was appointed an Assistant Attorney General and served under Attorney General John Hill for six years. During this time, Don served as Assistant Chief of the Environmental Protection Division, Chief of the Open Beaches Task Force and as Special Assistant in charge of the Houston Regional Office. While with the AG's office, Don successfully represented the Harris-Galveston County Subsidence District in litigation challenging the legality and Constitutionality of that organization, obtained over one million dollars in penalties against air and water polluters and represented the State in cases that established the public's right to freely use the beaches of Texas.

After leaving the AG's office, Don and his family moved to the Rio Grande Valley area where he went into private practice. Don specialized in civil trial and appellate law, primarily representing governmental entities. His clients included cities, hospital and housing authorities, and other public and non-profit entities and corporations.

In 1989, Don was appointed Judge of the 370th District Court by Governor Bill Clements. As the Republican Party nominee for that position, he received 43% of the vote, the highest vote total received by a local Republican Party candidate in Hidalgo County.
Returning to private practice in 1991, Don was appointed City Attorney of the City of Pharr. As City Attorney, Don successfully represented the city in the case of City of Pharr vs. Pena, a noted zoning case. During the time that Don was City Attorney, the City completed an international bridge to Mexico, opened a Convention Center and did many improvements to City offices and facilities. In 1998, Don was appointed as a Municipal Judge of the City of McAllen, serving in that position until he joined the Kendall County Attorney's office in 2002.

Don and his wife, Cathi, reside in Boerne. They have two daughters, Desiree, who is married and lives in the New Braunfels area with her husband Carlos and the Allees'two grandsons, Donny and Michael; and Suzanne, who is single and living and working in the Canary Islands.

Don remained active in the Naval Reserve and retired with the rank of Captain. His reserve assignments included being Executive Officer of the reserve crew of a destroyer home ported in Galveston, Texas, Commanding Officer of a unit in Harlingen, Texas and Assistant Inspector General of the Readiness Command in New Orleans, Louisiana.

PRIORITIES

Each elected official develops priorities in their administration. My top priorities, include:

Enforcing the Law, Seeing That Justice Is Done
I believe in the strict and equal enforcement of the law. The County Attorney has the responsibility to represent the State in all criminal cases in the Justice Courts and the County Court at Law. My office has an outstanding record in successfully obtaining convictions against those guilty of criminal conduct. At the same time, it is not only our responsibility, but our objective, to see that justice is done in every case. No person is prosecuted by my office unless the facts establish probable cause that they are guilty of the offense charged.

Providing Legal Advice and Assistance
I believe it is important to provide correct legal advice and direction to law enforcement agencies and County officials. I attend most meetings of the Commissioners Court and give legal advice on request to all County officials. Although the County Attorney is not authorized to represent individual citizens in most civil matters, when allowed by law and rules of conduct, I will provide legal assistance or advice to citizens. In other cases, referrals to appropriate agencies will be provided. My office will schedule meetings with individuals or groups on request to answer legal questions involving Kendall County.

NOTE: Should you have a matter that you would like to discuss with the County Attorney or a member of the staff, please complete the INFORMATION REQUEST FORM and either mail it or deliver it to the office.
(CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF OF INFORMATION REQUEST FORM)

Regulating Development & Protecting the Quality of Life
As County Attorney, I feel very strongly that I have a responsibility to the citizens of the County to preserve and protect the quality of life in this area. The Hill Country in general and Kendall County in particular is known for its beautiful natural areas, abundant wildlife, clear water, safe streets and neighborhoods, quality schools and responsible government. Working with other governmental entities, elected officials and law enforcement personnel, I try to preserve this quality of life for current and future generations. Under various State and Federal laws, the County has the authority to regulate various aspects of growth and development in the unincorporated areas of the County. Under Subchapter E of Chapter 232, Local Government Code, the Commissioners Court has the authority to adopt rules governing plats and subdivisions of land to promote the health, safety, morals, or general welfare of the County and the safe, orderly and healthful development of the County. I was a member of a committee that drafted rules under this authority that were adopted by the County in August 2005. Although many attempts have been made by opportunistic individuals or corporations to avoid regulation under those rules, I have steadfastly and uniformly represented the interests of the County in resisting such challenges and I will continue to do so.

Personal Responsibility
I believe that people should be responsible for their behavior. Often, it falls to the criminal justice system to hold people accountable for their actions. The community as a whole benefits when it is made clear that criminal behavior will not be tolerated and will result in swift and appropriate consequences. This office has an outstanding record of processing cases expeditiously to see that the guilty are prosecuted and the innocent are cleared in a timely manner.

Protecting and Assisting Victims of Crime
I take seriously the rights of all crime victims. The Office of Victims Assistance Coordinator is responsible for making sure that victims know their rights, that they are involved in the criminal justice process, and that they and their family members receive protection and assistance. Currently consisting of two staff members trained in the area of victims rights and an investigator, this office, in conjunction with the prosecutor, obtains protective orders to make sure that victims of domestic violence and other offenses receive the representation, assistance and protection they need.

Addressing Juvenile Crime
I believe that the best way to prevent young people from choosing the wrong path in life is appropriate intervention as soon as there is an indication that the person involved is making the wrong choice. My office works closely with the Kendall County Juvenile Probation Department and local schools to see that cases involving juvenile offenders are handled with the objective of rehabilitating the offender and deterring future criminal conduct. In that regard, juvenile offenders are required to take drug and alcohol awareness courses, anger management classes, and participate in other counseling or rehabilitation programs as appropriate. I believe that strong intervention is the best way to keep young people from entering the adult criminal justice system. If rehabilitation efforts are not successful, then juveniles should be appropriately punished.

Preserving a Healthy Business Environment & Protecting Consumers
I am supportive of local businesses and believe that such businesses are the backbone of our economic community. The "hot check" program of my office assists local businesses in recovering losses due to the passage of fraudulent checks and prosecuting those guilty of fraudulent acts. Based on my experience with the Attorney Generals office, I also feel strongly that consumers should be protected from unsafe, unlawful and unscrupulous business practices. Working with the Commissioners Court and the City of Boerne, I was instrumental in the appointment of a County Health Officer who is a member of my staff. I work closely with the Health Officer to insure that food establishments in the County comply with State law, regulations and local orders in the preparation and distribution of food products. Kendall County is fortunate to have many outstanding restaurants and food service providers. We are diligent in enforcing applicable law and regulations to make sure that this situation continues.

Cooperating With Other Elected Officials and Governmental Entities, Personal Note
I believe that it is essential that I work with and cooperate with other officials, both at the State and local level, to accomplish the objectives of my office and to provide responsible and responsive governmental services. I do not believe in the bureaucratic approach to providing services and I do not tolerate inefficient or unproductive practices or rude or inconsiderate behavior by those who serve the public. If you know of any situation involving the County Attorney's office that is contrary to this objective, please contact me so that the problem can be corrected. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your elected County Attorney.

Back to Top