Stephen S. Hart
Mr. Hart graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Utah in 1973. He then attended the University of Utah College of Law graduating with a Juris Doctor Degree in June of 1976. While at the College of Law Steve was on the staff of the Journal of Law, acted as teaching assistant for two different professors at the law school and was also employed by the University of Utah Admissions Office as a Residency Counselor where, with the assistance of his staff, he made decisions with regard to residency issues involving students at the University. Also while at the law school, he was employed by several large law firms in the Salt Lake City area as a clerk and received a great deal of experience in a number of areas of law.
Upon graduation from the University, Steve explored employment options offered him with several firms in the Salt Lake area and also in Alaska. Steve elected to make Idaho Falls, Idaho his home where he could become more intimately involved and help clients on a more personal basis in a small firm. Steve immediately became involved as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Bonneville County Prosecutors Office as well as being involved in a private practice that covered a wide range of legal areas. He quickly became the Chief Deputy Prosecutor for Bonneville County, Idaho where he provided legal advice to Bonneville County Commissioners and other county officers on a wide range of areas as well as overseeing and being responsible for as well as personally prosecuting a various array of crimes, everything including juvenile matters, drug charges and multiple murder trials.
Steve left the Prosecutors office in 1979 and set up his own practice where he continues to be involved in significant criminal defense while his family law and other practice areas have grown..
In the criminal law field Mr. Hart has represented clients on any number of charges both as juveniles and adults. He has personally represented seventeen different individuals charged with murder including a number of death penalty cases. He has represented individuals charged with assorted drug crimes, sex crimes, all manner of violent crimes and property crimes.
The mantra he displays as effective, aggressive representation has been consistent through his career believing that a lawyer's job is to solve problems and not create new ones. Thus, he makes sure his staff works closely with the individual clients so that they are provided the best representation possible without creating new issues as a result of unnecessary time delays or costs
He has represented and continues to represent several small businesses in the area and continues to represent a number of individuals (sometimes representing 3rd generation members of families) on a number of areas while his primary focus is now and has been for some time family law including specifically custody and high conflict divorce as well as criminal defense. Steve enjoys the practice of law but most importantly enjoys helping people when they face serious problems of any sort.
Steve and his high school sweetheart Kathy have been married for almost 50 years and have 4 sons, 18 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. When he is not specifically involved in the practice of law, Steve has, over the years, been involved in a number of youth organizations. He has been active in assisting youth both in the scouting area and also through various coaching endeavors as well as a referee and official in High School and other sport venues. He enjoys the outdoors, hunting and fishing, but most importantly spending time with his family.
Meet Our Staff
Shelly Allred
Shelly has been a part of Hart Law Offices for over 5 years. However, she has been in the legal field for almost 30 years. She worked as a legal secretary for the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for 15 years. That office also had a part time civil law practice, so she garnered experience in many civil areas as well. She worked very closely with law enforcement and became an integral liaison in criminal investigations and the charging process.
After a yearlong hiatus going to court reporting school in Boise, she came back ready to start working in the legal field again, which has always been her passion. She formed her own “Legal Temp” service, using her background to work for dozens of attorneys and firms on a temporary basis. She filled in for legal secretaries for maternity leave, sickness, trial prep, vacations and at any time an attorney just needed help. She was very much at ease sitting at someone else’s desk and working for someone else’s boss, which required a lot of the experience and legal expertise she had. For those few years Shelly learned and grew immensely from the many attorneys and their staff at the firms she worked for.
She feels extremely comfortable dealing with clients, court personnel and other attorneys when it comes to procedure, scheduling, legal words and terms, and is very proficient with legal documents of any kind. Shelly creates much of the “behind the scenes magic” with clients and is at the nucleus of the client cases.
Shelly has been married for 36 years, has 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren, who are all the joys of her life.
Margot Stewart
Margot provides administrative support for the team and, serves as a liaison with the firm’s office services, records management and client billing. She is often the 1st contact with the firm for those seeking legal counsel, answers phones, handles new client intakes, and can assist in scheduling and calendaring appointments, hearings, and most other events.
Margot brings over 30 years of administrative experience in Office Management, Human Resources and Accounting. In her career she has performed the duties of a full charge bookkeeper including maintaining accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, HR, inventory control, financial reporting, auditing, staffing, shipping policies and controls. She has been responsible for the development and implementation of firm policies, procedures, and practices all of which she has utilized at Hart Law.
She has been a resident of Idaho Falls since moving here after attending the University of Idaho in 1982. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest, cooking, quilting and most importantly, her family. She is committed, loves doing what she does here at Hart Law and is the “glue” that holds things together.
Lynette Diane Stone
Lynette has nineteen years of experience working as a litigation paralegal. She has been with Hart Law Office since 2017. Prior to that she worked for another local attorney who practiced in many of the same areas covered by Hart Law Offices. She has extensive experience with family law cases, as well as experience in other areas of law. She is experienced in all stages of litigation, from the initial start-up of a case, through discovery, witness interviews, trial exhibits and trial prep.
When people experience trauma or serious life stresses, it is not uncommon for their lives to unravel. Lynette does everything she can to put clients at ease, to explain the ins and outs of the legal system as it relates to their particular circumstances and to help them navigate what can be a confusing process to those not familiar with it. She is able to accurately and efficiently manage deadlines and assist with document and trial preparation in criminal and family law cases. She is committed, friendly and does all she can to assist in getting the client the best possible outcome for their case. She loves her job and the opportunity to help those who need it!
Lynette is married and enjoys reading, crocheting, and spending time with family. She also obsessively collects panda bears and seashells.
Cristina Wilcoxson
Cristina Wilcoxson joined Hart Law Offices, P.C. in April 2025, bringing with her a strong academic background and hands-on legal experience. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Policy Administration with an emphasis in Political Science and has completed extensive coursework in business law, healthcare law, and international law. This academic foundation allows Cristina to approach the legal field with both analytical depth and a broad, informed perspective.
Prior to joining Hart Law Offices, Cristina worked at a law firm in Rexburg Idaho where she gained experience in civil litigation, family law, and criminal defense. Her time in these diverse areas of practice has given her valuable insight into the complexities of the legal system and strengthened her ability to support clients and attorneys with detail-oriented, thoughtful care.
Cristina is fluent in English and Spanish, with an intermediate level of French, allowing her to assist a wider range of clients with clarity and cultural sensitivity. Known for her open-mindedness and eye for detail, she approaches each case with professionalism, empathy, and a genuine desire to help clients navigate their legal challenges.
She’s being a resident of Idaho since she moved to Rexburg to attend Brigham Young University–Idaho. Since then, she has grown to love the Eastern Idaho community and its scenic landscapes, especially in the fall. Outside the office, Cristina enjoys swimming, reading, and spending quality time with her husband.
Cristina is also passionate about service. During college, she volunteered with a lobbying nonprofit organization advocating for humanitarian issues like global poverty, and tutored students in underfunded middle schools. She continues to bring that same spirit of advocacy and compassion to her work at Hart Law Offices.
