Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima
Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima

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The professional team at Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima
  • Criminal Law
  • DUI/DWI/OUI
  • White Collar Crimes
  • Juvenile Crimes
  • Civil and Business Litigation

Biography

Mike Allen, like a lot of west side guys from his era, joined the Cincinnati Police Department upon graduation from Elder High School.

As a police officer, Mike enjoyed going to court and that’s when he decided he wanted to go to law school and become a prosecutor. He attended the Ohio Northern University College of Law in the thriving metropolis of Ada, Ohio.

Upon graduation from law school, he served as an Assistant Preble County Prosecutor, an Assistant City of Cincinnati Prosecutor and an Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor.

He was appointed to the Hamilton County Municipal Court by Governor George Voinovich in 1992, and he was elected to that position in 1998. Mike was bitten by the political bug and he left the bench in 1996 to become Chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party. Upon the election of Joe Deters as Ohio State Treasurer in January of 1999, Mike was appointed Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney by the Hamilton County Republican Central Committee. He ran unopposed for that position in 2000 and served as Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney until his term expired in 2004.

In 2006, Mike formed Michael K. Allen & Associates, a law firm specializing in criminal defense.

Since February 2016 he has served as the host of the popular Saturday Mid-Day radio show on 700 WLW. He is also the Chief Legal Analyst for Fox 19 in Cincinnati.

Mike’s son, Michael Jr. is also a criminal defense attorney. Mike’s daughter, Cora, serves as a Captain in the United States Army Judge Advocate General Corps. She is currently stationed in Australia.

Mike is an avid Reds fan and he enjoys spending time with family and friends. He also enjoys collecting and cruising in classic cars. He currently is the owner of a 1969 Chrysler 300 Convertible with a 440 TNT engine and from time to time likes to go fast!

Education

  • Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law, Ada, Ohio
    • J.D. - 1983
  • University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
    • B.A. - 1980
    • Major: Criminal Justice
  • University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
    • A.S. - 1977
    • Major: Law Enforcement

Bar Admission

  • Ohio, 1984
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1986

Honors And Awards

  • Top Rated Judge Cincinnati Magazine, 1993 – Present
  • Criminal Justice Symposium Bosnia-Herzegovina, 2002

Representative Clients

  • Rumpke, Inc.

Pro Bono Activities

  • Prevent Blindness Ohio Board of Trustees, 2012 to Present
  • Talbert House Advisory Board, 2009 to Present
  • Pro Kids, Board of Trustees, 1995 to 1996
  • University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees, 1999 to 2003

Professional Associations

  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • Cincinnati Bar Association
  • Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association

Past Positions

  • Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office, Prosecuting Attorney, 1998 to 2005
  • Hamilton County Municipal Court, Judge, 1993 to 1996
  • Dinsmore & Shohl, Of Counsel, 1996 to 1999
  • Cincinnati Police Department, Police Recruit/Police Officer, 1980 to 1980
  • University of Cincinnati, Police Officer, 1978 to 1980
  • Cincinnati Police Department, Police Cadet, 1974 to 1976
  • Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Captain, 1987 to 1997