Allen is a former Navy lawyer and has been active in the Republican Party, but told the committee that he has spent less time in the courtroom in recent years. Instead, he has been involved in managing real estate holdings and developments.

Allen was involved in a dispute over rezoning farmland in Smithfield City owned by Allen's family and Neighborhood Nonprofit, which builds affordable housing. The city is now being sued by citizen Jeffry Gittins over its decision to rezone the Neighborhood Nonprofit parcel because, Gittins said, the city violated its own zoning rules. Gittins' appeal is still pending.

The committee, led by Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, also delved deeply into Allen's finances, questioning whether he could cover his financial commitments on a judge's salary. Allen said he would be divesting himself of many of his interests.

The panel unanimously recommended Allen, and the full Senate will hold a special confirmation vote Wednesday.

- Robert Gehrke