Ms. Allen is a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Stetson University, with a major in political science and history, in 1981. Following a career in the hotel and hospitality industry, Ms. Allen entered law school and graduated from the Georgia State University College of Law in 1996. At Georgia State, Ms. Allen was a member of the Moot Court Board and an active participant in the student mock trial program.

Ms. Allen served as staff attorney for the Honorable Jerry W. Baxter of the State Court of Fulton County following her graduation from law school. Subsequently, she joined Crim & Bassler, L.L.P. in 1998. Ms. Allen practices in the areas of insurance law, personal injury and general civil litigation. She has extensive trial experience, having served as lead counsel in numerous civil jury trials.