Don Allee
County Attorney
As the elected County Attorney for Kendall County, I take my duty to represent the interests of the citizens of the County very seriously. In criminal prosecutions, my duty is to see that justice is done. Working in cooperation with law enforcement agencies, my assistants and I try to perform this duty so as to provide a safe
and lawful environment for you and your family while at the same time giving due regard to the rights of those accused. My staff includes two well-qualified members with the sole responsibility of protecting and providing assistance to victims of crime and their families. In civil matters, my duty is to represent the interests of the County and to give correct legal advice and direction to all elected and appointed officers of the County. My goal is to protect you and your family from activities that would adversely affect your health, safety or welfare. My staff is experienced and well trained to meet your needs. If we can be of assistance, please contact us.
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.
Suzanne Jost
Assistant County Attorney
Suzanne Jost grew up in the Hill Country, graduating from Tivy High School in Kerrville. While in High School, Suzanne demonstrated an interest in the legal profession by participating in speech contests, mock trials and debates. Following completion of high school, Suzanne attended Schreiner College for one year before transferring to the University of Texas in Austin. After graduation from UT, Suzanne entered the teaching profession. For three years, she taught fifth graders at Lago Vista Elementary School. The following year, she worked as a reading specialist, training other teachers and working with students to improve their reading skills. While growing up, Suzanne had been active in competitive sports. As a teacher, Suzanne continued this interest by coaching volleyball and softball at the high school level.
In 1998, as the result of a personal loss, Suzanne decided to leave the teaching profession and pursue her childhood goal of becoming an attorney. Entering St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio, Suzanne focused her studies on trial advocacy and prosecution. For two years, Suzanne was a member of the Mock Trial External Advocacy Team, attending competitions in Dallas, Florida and New York. Suzanne also excelled in legal research and writing, publishing a paper on the administrative powers of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the effect of those powers on local enforcement of environmental laws. Excelling in other areas as well, Suzanne was selected to tutor first year law students and spent one semester clerking in the office of Edward Prado, Justice of the U. S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. During her last year of law school, Suzanne was inducted into the St. Mary’s Order of Barristers, an advocacy award given by the professors of the law school.
While in law school, Suzanne was employed for two summers as a law clerk at the Kendall County Attorney’s office. Upon graduation from law school, Suzanne received an offer to become a prosecutor in the District Attorney’s office in Harris County. At about the same time, a position as Assistant County Attorney became available in Kendall County. Choosing to remain in the Hill Country and work with the people that she knew from her experience as a law clerk, Suzanne accepted the position with Kendall County.
As the Chief Prosecutor of the County Attorney’s office, Suzanne has an enviable record of success at both the trial and appellant level. Kendall County is fortunate to have someone as dedicated and talented as Suzanne, whose principal duties include prosecution of misdemeanors, handling juvenile cases and obtaining protective orders for victims of crime.
When not involved with her duties at the County Attorney’s office, Suzanne blends her interest in the welfare of children and competitive sports by volunteering to coach in the Boerne YMCA Youth Volleyball League.
Bob K. Eason Jr.
Assistant County Attorney
A fourth generation Texan, Bob Eason graduated from John Marshall High School in San Antonio and then attended Texas Tech and the University of Texas at Arlington. Upon graduation from college, Bob obtained a law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law.
After practicing law for a year with a firm in San Antonio Bob became an Assistant District Attorney for Bexar County, prosecuting criminals for three years. After leaving the DA's office Bob went into private practice representing people in the areas of family and criminal law. Bob also did title work for oil and gas companies all over Texas. Following 25 years of private practice Bob became a Public Defender in New Mexico.
Wanting to return to the area where he was raised, Bob was hired as an Assistant County Attorney for Kendall County in 2005. Bob is involved in both civil and criminal matters, assisting the County Attorney in the civil area and also assisting the Chief Prosecutor in disposition of criminal matters.
Bob lives in Boerne. He and his wife Joy have three children and four grandchildren.
