Unlocking the Future

Jeffrey Allen is a principal in the law firm of Graves & Allen, with a general civil practice that since 1973 has emphasized negotiation, structuring and documentation of real estate, loan and other business transactions, receiverships, civil litigation and bankruptcy. He also does extensive work as a neutral, providing services as an arbitrator and as a mediator. He has enjoyed a Martindale-Hubbel Av Rating for more than 30 years and has been a N. California SuperLawer for over 10 years.

Mr. Allen has actively taught and written about technology for over 30 years. He has authored many articles and co-authored several books respecting the use of technology in the practice of law. He frequently presents in continuing legal education programs on technology and the practice of law. He also taught for many years in paralegal education programs, law school, and MBA programs.

Mr. Allen has participated in the work of the ABA since the early 1980s. Although he belongs to several sections and divisions, he has worked primarily with the Senior Lawyers Division (SLD) and General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division (GPSolo). He has served on editorial boards for Experience Magazine, the Voice of Experience, GPSolo Magazine, the GP Solo eReport and the Technology eReport (serving as Editor in Chief for the last three publications). He has also served as an editorial board member for the ABA Journal, as a member of the ABA Standing Committee on Information Technology, and currently serves as a member of the ABA's Cybersecurity Task Force. He has served as a member of the Counsel for both GPSolo and the SLD and as an officer of the SLD.

Mr. Allen received his B.A. with Great Distinction and Distinction in Honors from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1970 (Phi Beta Kappa). He received his J.D. from the University of California's Berkeley Law (formerly known as Boalt Hall) in 1973 (member and editor of the California Law Review, Member of the Ecology Law Quarterly, and member of the Moot Court Board and State Moot Court team). He considers himself "semi-retired" and lives and works out of Oakland, California, with his wife, Anne and their two dogs, Bella (Labrador Retriever) and Bagel (Beagle). He has two adult children and three grandchildren.

Ashley Hallene is an Attorney and Land Acquisition Specialist with Demeter Land Development. She is based in Houston, Texas. She is the co-author of several books, including Technology Tips for Seniors Volume 2.0 (2018), Technology Tips for Lawyers and Other Business Professionals (2016), Technology Tips for Seniors (2016), Technology Solutions for Today's Lawyer (2013), and The iPad for Lawyers (2013), written in collaboration with attorney Jeffrey Allen.

Ashley has contributed extensively to the field of legal technology, publishing articles in GPSolo Magazine, GPSolo eReport, Experience Magazine, Voice of Experience, and in newsletters like Attorney at Work and TechnoLawyer. She is an active member of the American Bar Association's General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Division and the Senior Lawyers Division, where she serves as Editor-in-Chief of GP|Solo eReport.

Ashley earned her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 2009 and her B.S. from the University of Houston in 2004. She resides in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Jack, and their son, Cyrus.