Local lawyer to serve as municipal court judge

Posted 6/1/17

Allred, of Powell, was announced as the City Council’s choice to replace Allison at the council meeting on May 15. After reviewing letters of interest from four qualified candidates, Mayor John Wetzel recommended Allred to the council, which voted …

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Local lawyer to serve as municipal court judge

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A local lawyer will have some big shoes to fill in the coming weeks, as Bret Allred of Basin Law Group LLC has been chosen to replace Jim Allison as the City of Powell’s Municipal Court judge.

Allred, of Powell, was announced as the City Council’s choice to replace Allison at the council meeting on May 15. After reviewing letters of interest from four qualified candidates, Mayor John Wetzel recommended Allred to the council, which voted unanimously to offer him a contract.

“We had four really solid candidates,” Wetzel said. “Each had different strengths and weaknesses. But through the interview process, Bret seemed to be the most available, eligible and ready to go. ... He’s highly-qualified, and I think he’ll do a good job.”

A self-proclaimed “Navy brat,” Allred went to law school at the University of Wyoming, graduating in 2004. After passing the bar that same year, he practiced in Gillette for a year before being relocated to Powell.

“The job I had taken out of law school was based in Gillette,” Allred said. “They wanted to expand into Powell, and I took the job over there knowing I’d only be there for a year, so I came here.”

Allred and J. Phillip Bott founded Basin Law Group, LLC in 2012, specializing in bankruptcy, business and estate planning, and family law. Married and a father of four, Allred said he can’t imagine a better place to work and raise a family than Powell.

“I love it here,” he said. “You can’t beat the schools for the kids — everyone says that, but it’s so true. We enjoy the outdoors, so it’s a great location: Beartooths to the west, the Bighorns to the east; it’s great for all kinds of things we love to do.”

The people, Allred said, are another reason he’s so fond of the community.

“The people here are just fantastic,” he said. “If you need anything, you’ve got people there that are willing to help. It’s a tight-knit community, one that has the feel of a much smaller town. It’s a beautiful town with a rich history, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Allred cites his grandfather as his inspiration for choosing law as a profession.

“My grandfather, Thad Wasden, also served as a municipal judge, even though he wasn’t law-trained,” Allred said. “It was probably his favorite job that he had in his entire life; he talked about it all the time. When I told him I was going to law school, he was so happy. It was great — I was fulfilling his dream.”

As for his predecessor behind the bench, Allred said he’s known Judge Allison for years and considers him a mentor.

“The great thing about Judge Allison is, he’s always been available to answer questions,” Allred said. “When I heard that he was stepping down, I thought it might be a good opportunity for me to diversify, take myself out of my comfort zone and get back to my roots.”

Replacing someone with 36 years of experience is a tall order, but it’s a challenge Allred is looking forward to.

“Jim has been doing this for 36 years;  the shoes to step into there are huge,” he said. “Everyone loves Jim, he’s left a mark here. I want to maintain the level of respect that he’s created with that court and what he has envisioned it to be.”

For his part, Judge Allison thinks the city chose the right man for the job.

“Bret is courteous and respectful, and he has a good head on his shoulders,” Allison said. “I think he’ll be honest and fair. He’ll be a good judge.”

After working in the community for over a decade, Allred said he’s gained a familiarity with how the courts operate and what the community expects from a sitting judge.

“I’ve observed the municipal court here a few times and have seen how the arraignments are run,” he said. “I understand the jurisdictional limits and ordinances in town. It won’t be that much of a stretch for me. Plus, the city has been very supportive.”

Allred credits City Attorney Sandee Kitchen as an example of someone who has been instrumental in helping him learn what makes the city tick.

“Sandee is just a wealth of knowledge, any question I might have, she has an answer for,” Allred said. “She is someone to aspire towards as well.”

A vital attribute of a municipal court judge is availability, especially to local law enforcement. Allred said whenever the Powell Police Department or Park County Sheriff’s Office require his services, he will be there.

“As a judge, I would like to be available to the police force here,” he explained. “If they need warrants, or if someone is arrested outside of town, I need to be available to them at any hour.”

Like any good husband and father, Allred ran the idea of becoming a judge past his family first before submitting a letter of interest. His wife, Heather, understandably had a few questions, but once answered, she and the kids were on board.

“Law is not her passion like it is mine, so I had to explain how some of the things work to her,” Allred said. “But she’s very supportive.”

And the kids?

“All I can say is my kids better not break the law,” he joked, laughing. “Conflict or no, I’m going to throw the book at ’em.”

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