Allen Hicks '85—Distinguished Alum
Written June 2008
Although his law career is still in the early stages, Allen Hicks ’85 has already achieved success in both the political and corporate realms of the nation’s capital. Allen, who received Harding’s Distinguished Alumni Award this year, earned his bachelor’s degree from Stanford in 1993, and a law degree and MBA from the University of Tennessee in 2000.
After a stint at an Atlanta law firm, Allen went to Washington, D.C., in 2004 to serve as chief counsel to then Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. The majority leader’s top legal advisor, Allen was also a policy advisor on such issues as counterterrorism, constitutional law, and judicial nominations. Allen says, “It was exciting to arrive at work every day under the Capitol Dome and to be part of something much greater than myself— serving our constituents in Tennessee and helping shape policy in our nation’s legislature.”
Former Majority Leader Frist calls Allen a “brilliant professional” who has “a tremendous grasp of both the legal and legislative processes, and his ability to build strong personal relationships allows him to excel in Washington’s fast-paced, unpredictable environment.” He says, “Harding Academy couldn’t have made a better choice for this award.”
Allen is currently a corporate and securities attorney with Hogan & Hartson, a major law firm with 22 offices around the world. His work can range from helping a small, startup renewable fuel company raise capital to advising one of the world’s largest manufacturers of military fighter jets on refinancing its debt. Says Allen, “One of the most interesting and rewarding aspects of my job is learning about the diverse businesses of my clients.”
Allen, who enjoys running marathons and playing golf, serves on the public policy committee of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. He and wife Kara have two sons, Weston (age 4) and Garrett (age 1), and their family became active with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation when Garrett was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes this year.
Allen says he was “surprised and honored” to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, and credits some of his success to his Harding education. He says, “You don’t realize it when you’re so young, but Harding lays a foundation for future success by challenging you academically and athletically and building character and integrity.”
After a stint at an Atlanta law firm, Allen went to Washington, D.C., in 2004 to serve as chief counsel to then Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. The majority leader’s top legal advisor, Allen was also a policy advisor on such issues as counterterrorism, constitutional law, and judicial nominations. Allen says, “It was exciting to arrive at work every day under the Capitol Dome and to be part of something much greater than myself— serving our constituents in Tennessee and helping shape policy in our nation’s legislature.”
Former Majority Leader Frist calls Allen a “brilliant professional” who has “a tremendous grasp of both the legal and legislative processes, and his ability to build strong personal relationships allows him to excel in Washington’s fast-paced, unpredictable environment.” He says, “Harding Academy couldn’t have made a better choice for this award.”
Allen is currently a corporate and securities attorney with Hogan & Hartson, a major law firm with 22 offices around the world. His work can range from helping a small, startup renewable fuel company raise capital to advising one of the world’s largest manufacturers of military fighter jets on refinancing its debt. Says Allen, “One of the most interesting and rewarding aspects of my job is learning about the diverse businesses of my clients.”
Allen, who enjoys running marathons and playing golf, serves on the public policy committee of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. He and wife Kara have two sons, Weston (age 4) and Garrett (age 1), and their family became active with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation when Garrett was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes this year.
Allen says he was “surprised and honored” to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, and credits some of his success to his Harding education. He says, “You don’t realize it when you’re so young, but Harding lays a foundation for future success by challenging you academically and athletically and building character and integrity.”
Inspiring The Mind • Nurturing The Spirit