'Judge Allen was a hero.' Columbus celebrates opening of John D. Allen Judicial Center

Judge Allen was a hero in all the kinds of ways that we use that word. A decorated combat pilot, a trailblazer on the front lines of the struggle to form a more equal society, and a judge with a spine of absolute steel. Before Judge Allen's service as chair, the JQC had not been as effective as it needed to be. He corrected that. In fact, during his service, The JQC's work led to the resignation of dozens of judges, including over 10% of the Superior Court bench of the entire state. That seems like a lot, and it was, but it was necessary. And it was possible only because of Judge Allen's insistence that the rule of law requires that judges who broke the rules had to go. And his recognition that allowing them the dignity of resignation would achieve that far faster and more effectively than insisting on full-blown public hearings in each case. Our state and its judicial system owe Judge Allen an enormous debt. His work was absolutely critical to preserving public trust and confidence in our system. The JQC had a lot of critics during this time, especially judges and their supporters. And Judge Allen's response was consistent. I've been shot at before. We don't return fire, it just exposes our position. He was always laser focused on the mission and his mission during decades of service on the bench was defending the rule of law, which makes him the perfect person to name a courthouse for. Because a courthouse is a place that only matters if the rule of law is strong.