Class of 1983
The Honorable Alan Simpson graduated from California State University Fresno in December of 1977 with a degree in Political Science. He worked for approximately 6 months as an eligibility worker for the Fresno County Department of Social Services. He then joined the District Attorney’s Office as a Welfare Fraud Investigator.
Judge Simpson entered SJCL in fall of 1979 with a class of 24, only 11 of whom ultimately graduated. Upon graduation in 1983, he continued to work with the District Attorney’s office as a Deputy District Attorney. In February of 1989 he joined the firm of Maderosian & Swanson where he did primarily insurance defense litigation.
Judge Simpson was appointed to the Fresno County Superior Court in 2000. He served for three years as the Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division. In September of 2004, he joined the Civil Division. He has now served as the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division for three years.
Past Hall of Fame inductee, Katherine Hart, said of Simpson, “He has this special insight that makes everyone want to hear his view. He is like the bright sunshine that dissolves the stormy clouds of dissent.” Past inductee Judge Gary Austin described him as “always helpful, willing to work long hours, and take on any assignment given him gladly – a true team player.”
Judge Simpson married his wife, Robbie, a registered nurse, during his third year of law school. They have two children: son, Allen, Jr., who is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering and daughter, Zuri, who is completing high school.