Joe
B. Allen, Managing Partner
Areas of Emphasis and Related Experience. Practice
focuses on public finance and related legislative activities,
including developing mechanisms for providing infrastructure
for new development; working with both public and private entities
on a wide range of issues related to construction, financing,
and operation of public infrastructure; and representing private
entities contracting with public bodies. Mr. Allen has served
as both general counsel and bond counsel to public entities
in a wide variety of financings, including tax increment reinvestment
zones for major retail developments and the first toll road
in Fort Bend County, Texas.
Education and Professional Background. Baylor University
(B.A., 1965); Omicron Delta Kappa; Alpha Chi; Baylor University
(L.L.B. (J.D.), 1967); Vinson & Elkins (1975-2003); Naman,
Howell, Smith, & Chase, Waco, Texas (1967-1975).
Member. State Bar of Texas; Houston Bar Association;
National Association of Bond Lawyers; Special District Associations
(Advisory Board and Trustee since 1978); Association of Water
Board Directors (General Counsel); Utility District Advisory
Corporation; Co-Chair, Mayor's Transition Team Subcommittee
on Houston's Legal Department and Municipal Court; Governor's
Committee on Water Resources Management; Mayor Lanier's Transition
Team; Wastewater Regionalization Task Force, Infrastructure
Committee, Water Supply and Wastewater Committee, Houston
Chamber of Commerce; Wastewater Regionalization Task Force,
City of Houston; I-69 Task Force, Greater Houston Partnership;
Executive Committee, Fort Bend Economic Development Council;
Fort Bend Economic Development Council Executive Committee;
Board of Directors, West Houston Association; Special District
Associations: Advisory Board and Trustee (since 1978), Association
of Water Board Directors; General Counsel, Utility District
Advisory Corporation.
Texas Legislative Activities. Mr. Allen was the
principal author and lobbyist of major laws, including S.B.
249 (reorganized the Texas Department of Water Resources
into the Water Development Board and the Texas Water Commission)
(1985); Impact Fee Act (1987); Special District bankruptcy
statute (required Texas Water Commission approval for any
special district to file for bankruptcy) (1987); Special
District legislative package (16 new laws to correct statutory
deficiencies) (1989); S.B. 626 which achieved a comprehensive
reorganization and recodification of the statutes affecting
the administration and operations of Special Districts (1995);
S.B. 1865 (35 changes in the statutes affecting the administration
and operations of Special Districts )(1997); S.B. 1444 (numerous
changes to the Water Code to allow water districts to operate
more efficiently and effectively) (2001); H.B. 1541 which
made 55 changes in status affecting the administrations and
operations of special districts (2003); S.J.R. 30 and S.B.
624 which authorizes special districts to finance parks and
recreational facilities (2003); H.B. 2876 which made major
reforms to certificates of convenience and necessity. |
