Judge Alvin L. Zimmerman (’64, J.D. ’67)
Donald W. Allee (J.D. ’72)
May 29, 2024 — The Texas Bar Foundation has honored two University of Houston Law Center alumni with the 2024 Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award. Judge Alvin L. Zimmerman (’64, J.D. ’67) and Donald W. Allee (J.D. ’72) are among the recipients recognized for adhering to “the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession and service to the public” for more than 50 years.
Zimmerman served as a Texas Assistant Attorney General, judge in the Houston Municipal Court and as the judge of the Harris County District Courts: 309th Family and the first judge of the 269th Civil Court. He has chaired and continues to serve on the boards of the UH Alumni Association, UH Law Alumni Association, HLR Foundation, HLR, Inc., and the UH Foundation. Zimmerman is a past chair of the State Bar of Texas ADR Section and two different Sections of the Houston Bar Association: Family Law and ADR. He also served on the board of the Texas Mediators Credentialing Association. For his achievements in the legal profession, Zimmerman has been recognized by his alma mater with both the University of Houston Distinguished Alumni Award and the UH Law Center Dean’s Award.
He and his wife Susie established the Alvin & Susie Zimmerman Endowed Scholarship at UH Law Center to support students financially.
Allee, a fourth-generation Texan and a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, served in the Navy before becoming an engineer with Humble Oil. After earning his J.D. in 1972, he worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the Environmental Protection Division and later led the Houston Regional Office. Appointed by Governor William Clements, he became the first judge of the 370th District Court. He also served as a city attorney for the city of Pharr and as a municipal judge for the city of McAllen. He was elected County Attorney for Kendall County in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
"I am very honored to be awarded the Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award by the Texas Bar Foundation. Serving in three different jurisdictions in Texas, and trying cases or handling appeals to state and federal courts in various areas, my goal in becoming a lawyer was to serve the people of Texas. This award recognizes that my goal was achieved," said Allee.
Zimmerman and Allee will be recognized, along with the other honorees, at the annual Texas Bar Foundation Awards Dinner on June 21 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas.
