Allen Named General Counsel for NCAOC

About

As the largest
university-based local
government training,
advisory, and research
organization in the United
States, the School of
Government serves more
than 12,000 public officials
each year.

Browse by Role

The School provides
content and resources for a
wide array of local
government and judicial
officials in North Carolina.

Select your role to explore
all related content.

Browse by Topic

The School provides content
and resources on a wide array
of topics in local government
and judicial administration in
North Carolina.

Select a topic to explore all
related content.

Courses

The School of Government
offers up to 200 courses,
workshops, webinars, and
professional conferences
each year.

Publications

The School of Government
publishes essential books,
manuals, reports, articles,
bulletins, and other print and
online content related to state
and local government.

Blogs

Faculty write for a number
of School of Government
blogs providing timely
updates on emerging issues.

Resources

The School of Government
offers information and
services related to a wide
range of topics relevant to
government and judicial
officials—in-person and on a
variety of platforms.

Blog Posts

Timely updates on emerging issues

Centers and Services

Specialized training/research hubs and consulting services

Frequently Asked Questions

Aggregated answers to common questions on a variety of topics

Knapp Library

Print and online materials and research expertise

Legal Summaries

Brief descriptions of legal cases, bills, or legislative activity

Listservs

Information exchanges for peers and faculty experts

Microsites

In-depth or aggregated content for local government and judicial officials

Tools and Apps

Online and mobile tools for employees on-the-go

Master of Public
Administration Program

The UNC MPA program prepares public service leaders. The program is offered in two formats: on-campus and online.

For more information, visit mpa.unc.edu

Giving

The School of Government depends on private and public support for fulfilling its mission. Your gift will make a lasting impact on the quality of government and civic participation in North Carolina.

Knapp Library

The Joseph Palmer Knapp Library houses a large collection of material on state and local government, public administration, and management to support the School's instructional and research programs and the educational mission of the Master of Public Administration program. Reference and research services are available to all residents of North Carolina, and additional assistance is available to state and local government personnel, both elected and appointed.

UNC School of Government faculty member Trey Allen has agreed to serve as general counsel for the Administrative Office of the Courts within the North Carolina Judicial Branch.

Allen began his new role on Monday, Jan. 11 and is taking a leave of absence from the School for the position. He plans to return to the School’s faculty upon the conclusion of his leave, which could last for up to two years.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Trey, and we wish him the best of luck on this new adventure,” said Mike Smith, dean of the School of Government. “We will work closely with other School faculty and staff to ensure that the ongoing needs of our clerks and public officials can be met.”

Allen fills his role at the request of North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby, who was sworn in on Jan. 6, 2021. Allen previously served as a clerk for Newby during Newby’s tenure as an associate justice on the court.

“The School of Government has a long history of supporting the North Carolina Judicial Branch,” Allen said. “I look forward to doing what I can to further that tradition.”

Allen joined the School’s faculty in 2013 and is the Albert and Gladys Hall Coates Distinguished Term Associate Professor of Public Law and Government. He plays a major role in planning and coordinating the School’s many educational offerings for clerks to municipal and county governing boards. Allen also researches and writes about the general regulatory and enforcement powers of local governments, local government liability, and board procedure. He received the Margaret Taylor Writing Award for his book Local Government Immunity to Lawsuits in North Carolina in 2019.

Allen earned a bachelor’s degree from UNC-Pembroke and a law degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. He was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and has continued to engage with service members as a volunteer instructor with the Warrior-Scholar Project.