Curtis H. (“Trey”) Allen III grew up in Robeson County and graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 1997. In 2000 he obtained his law degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a published staff member of the North Carolina Law Review.

Following law school, Trey spent more than four years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. For most of that time, he served as a judge advocate overseas, primarily in Okinawa, Japan. Trey advised commanding generals and subordinate commanders on military justice and operational law matters, prosecuted violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and helped fellow Marines resolve personal legal issues. His military service included a deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After being honorably discharged, Trey returned to North Carolina and clerked for Justice (now Chief Justice) Paul Newby of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. He then practiced education law and became a partner at Tharrington Smith LLP in Raleigh. While in private practice, Trey represented public school districts across the state and litigated a wide range of civil claims, including constitutional claims, in state and federal court.

In 2013 Trey joined the faculty at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Government. His research and writing focused on the general regulatory and enforcement powers of local governments, local government liability, and board procedures. In 2019 he received the School's Margaret Taylor Writing Award for his book Local Government Immunity to Lawsuits in North Carolina. Trey was named Albert and Gladys Hall Coates Distinguished Term Associate Professor for 2020-2022. The North Carolina Association of Municipal Clerks awarded Trey an honorary membership in recognition of his dedication to its members.

In January 2021 Trey took leave from the UNC School of Government to serve as General Counsel for the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. He provided legal guidance on criminal and civil matters to judges, clerks of court, and magistrates throughout the state.

Trey has a history of involvement in the North Carolina Bar Association. He was Chair of the NCBA's Constitutional Rights & Responsibilities Section for 2015-2016.

Trey is the son of Curtis and Elaine Allen and is married to Teryn Melissa Smith Allen, another Robeson County native. Trey and Teryn are the proud parents of five children.