Ashley Rentz Allen returns home to open law practice
Ashley Rentz Allen is coming home to practice law.
An attorney specializing in divorce and family law, she is excited to return home and serve her community with her law practice, Ashley Rentz Allen Law Firm, located at 273 West Beacon Street, which opened earlier this month.
“I’ve always wanted to practice in Neshoba County,” she said. “It feels so surreal and seems like the universe is aligning.”
Originally from Butler, Ala., Rentz Allen was inspired to pursue a career in law by her mother’s attorney, who supported her family in a custody dispute during her childhood before they moved to Philadelphia.
Her mother, Tabby McKee Winstead, now serves as her paralegal. Her late grandparents, Willis and Shirley McKee, owned McKee’s Pawn and Gun Shop near McClain-Hayes Funeral Home on Main Street.
“We would have lemonade stands out there,” Rentz Allen said. “When I think of my home, I think of Philadelphia. I’ve always wanted to help people.”
After graduating from Neshoba Central in 2010, Rentz Allen earned an English degree from Mississippi State University in 2014, followed by a law degree from Mississippi College School of Law in 2018. She passed the bar exam on her first attempt.
Over the past six years, Rentz Allen worked for YoungWilliams in Hattiesburg and Honea Law Firm in McComb before returning to Philadelphia.
“I’ve tried 30 cases start to finish in the last three years,” she said. “The experience I have at a young age is something I’m very proud of. I’ll never back down if it means fighting for my client.”
Rentz Allen has also served as a public defender in Pike County for youth and justice court, handling mental health and substance abuse commitments. In addition, she has experience in criminal law, estate planning, personal injury, and more, although her passion remains in family law.
“I went into this business wanting to help women and children but realized there are a lot of men that need help too,” Rentz Allen said. “When I see the right thing happen because I’ve pushed for it, that’s my favorite aspect of my job.”
She said a few of her role models are J. Max Kilpatrick, Gary Honea, and most of all, her grandfather, who advised her to open her own practice, believing it would bring her the most happiness.
“Once you get into a case, it’s not about the money,” Rentz Allen said. “It’s about doing what’s right for that person and being the best lawyer you can be.”
“It’s really important to me to not only live by the ethical code that the bar association has given me, but my own moral and ethical code,” she added. “I believe that a good moral code and compass is one of the most underrated things a good attorney can have.”
Her long-term goals include becoming a trusted name in the community and building a reputation for integrity and dependability. Since opening her firm, she has already begun handling her first no-fault divorce case.
Rentz Allen’s family, including her mother and stepfather, Robert Winstead, have been fully supportive, even helping her find office locations. She has also received a lot of positive feedback and support through Facebook.
“It’s been great,” she said. “My hometown has really pulled through. I never imagined I would have so much support after being gone for 10 years.”
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading horror books, walking her two dogs, and watching her nephew, Connor Robertson, play basketball.
Contact Ashley Rentz Allen at (601) 389-7222, ashley@allenlawmiss.com, paralegal@allenlawmiss.com, or via the Ashley Rentz Allen PLLC Facebook page.