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WINTON – Typically, when a young person leaves a rural area for college, chances are fairly good that the lifestyle of living and working in a metropolitan environment will prevent them returning home to seek employment.

Allyson Owens broke that stereotypical model.

Owens, a native of Gates County who obtained college degrees in Chapel Hill and Raleigh, has returned to her roots as the newest Assistant District Attorney working under veteran DA Valerie Asbell in the 7th Prosecutorial District.

During a ceremony held Nov. 5 at the Hertford County Courthouse, Owens was first introduced to the State Bar by Asbell and then was sworn in as an Attorney at Law and an Assistant District Attorney by the Honorable Superior Court Judge Cy A. Grant.

“I’m excited to be a part of the 7th Prosecutorial District where I believe I can use that passion to make a positive impact on the District,” said Owens.

She is the daughter of Jack and Denise Owens of Gatesville, who along with her 9-year-old son, Bennett, and her brothers, Adam and Ashley, attended the swearing in ceremony.

“They (family) have been loving, encouraging and supportive of me,” Owens said, “and Bennett motivates me every day to be the best person I can be. I’m so thankful for the love and support of my family and friends and I know that it is because of them that I’m where I am today.”

“I am very excited about Allyson joining our team in the 7th Prosecutorial District,” Asbell stated. “It is always heartwarming to see a homegrown person come back to our area to give back to their community. Allyson is familiar with our district and the people in our community and she has a vested interest in their wellbeing.

“It is apparent that Allyson has a passion to serve her community, which is evidenced by her employment and internships while she was in law school. Allyson is a bright, energetic, passionate attorney and we are looking forward to her doing great things as an Assistant District Attorney in our District,” Asbell added.

A graduate of Gates County High School, Owens attended UNC-Chapel Hill where she graduated in May of 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. From there she attended Campbell University School of Law in Raleigh where she excelled in criminal and courtroom focused classes. She graduated from Campbell Law School in May of 2021 and then passed the NC Bar Exam in September.

While in law school, Owens discovered her passion to be a servant to her community by way of her legal education. She worked as an intern in the First Prosecutorial District and also as a legal intern in the Durham County District Attorney’s Office from January until April 2021.

Owens received many accolades while in law school, to include the Best Brief Recipient-Old Kivett Moot Court Competition in Fall 2019, Book Award for Juvenile Abuse, Neglect, and Dependence in the Fall of 2019, and a Book Award for Intersectional Feminist Jurisprudence in the Spring of 2020.