Story and photos by JOHN ANDERSON
(Photo: From left, Allegany County Court Judge Ian M. Jones flanked by his family, son Avery, daughter Ada, and his wife, Chelsea)
Ian M. Jones never planned on becoming a judge. He attended high school in Coudersport, Pa., and Daemen College in Buffalo.
However, it was law school at the University of Toledo and then moving to Angelica that started his passion for law and as an attorney, most recently becoming the Allegany County District Attorney.
On New Year’s Day with his wife, Chelsea, and in front of retiring Allegany County Court Judge Thomas P. Brown, with one hand on the Bible, that all changed.
Jones is now one of two Allegany County Court Judges, he’ll be serving with another former District Attorney, Judge Terrance Parker. He will have several courts to preside over being a judge in a small, rural county, but it’s a challenge he is looking forward to.
“Being elected to this position is a great responsibility and plays a pivotal role in the judicial system of the county. It’s more than public safety,” Jones said in a sit-down interview with the Wellsville Sun after his swearing in. “I didn’t think I would be a D.A. or a judge when I was younger. My career as a lawyer has evolved and opportunities that I didn’t really anticipate have brought me to this role.”
As a district attorney, Jones was responsible for prosecutions. As a judge, he knows each decision he makes impacts both sides.
“The position itself is to be fair and impartial. People come into your courtroom with something that is very important to their lives,” Jones said. “You have to look at everything objectively and give answers in a just matter. It’s important. From a land dispute to child custody or crime, it could be the most impactful thing that happens in their life. You have to be respectful of everyone, and you have to filter it through the law. The law is the ultimate decider and there is a lot of responsibility.”
Jones has seen a lot as a private attorney, a county attorney, a prosecutor, and top law enforcement officer in Allegany County.
“I have experience as an officer of the civil court, family court and criminal court in Allegany County. My work as a Assistant DA and as District Attorney have given a unique insight and perspective on those three benches. I feel I have a strong start with my background and experience,” Jones said.
Jones said, “I feel really grateful I have the opportunity to serve with Judge Parker. It was an honor to have Judge Brown here to swear me in as he is retiring. I am very grateful.”
Jones has worked in civil litigation in Buffalo and opened a practice in Wellsville in 2014. He was with the county attorney’s office in Allegany County full-time in 2015 and in the district attorney’s office since 2019.
Swipe for a slideshow from the swearing in:
Jones announced his candidacy for Allegany County Judge on the Wellsville Sun in early 2025, read that announcement here:
