Biography

Kent has a diverse practice in litigation, employment, health care and media law. He has handled a variety of commercial litigation matters before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, which frequently include employment/wrongful discharge and health care matters as well as breach of contract disputes, real estate disputes, and personal injury/wrongful death actions. Kent has tried cases to favorable jury verdicts in all the local state and federal courts, however, he frequently uses mediation and arbitration as a cost effective means of dispute resolution, having mediated or arbitrated hundreds of cases to favorable resolution. Kent also handles a variety of First Amendment issues that impact both the print and broadcast media and has overseen the firm's community pro bono legal activities.

Kent works with a sense of urgency and is a strong believer in regular, prompt communication with his clients and co-workers. Professionally, he is most proud of the strong client relationships and client friendships he has developed over the years. In a recent state-wide publication, Kent was described by the GM/CEO of one large publically traded client as follows: " What has always impressed me about Kent is his emotional intelligence. He exudes a great deal of confidence and he is aggressive in his pursuit of any issue, yet he is compassionate and caring in the process. He is able to make all kinds of people feel very comfortable around him." Based on client comments like this and the grading and comments of his peers, Kent is recognized with an AV Rating, the highest rating given to lawyers by Martindale-Hubbell.

In 2007, Kent also was recognized as a "Super Lawyer" in Ohio's Super Lawyers magazine. In 2005 and 2006, he was chosen by his peers as a "Rising Star" by this same rating publication. Only 2.5 percent of Ohio lawyers received this honor. In 2004, the Cincinnati "Business Courier" named Kent (along with his wife, Karen) two of Cincinnati’s top "Forty Under 40." Kent also has received recognition from the American Bar Association (1997), the Cincinnati Bar Association (2008), the Ohio State Bar Foundation (2000), The Ohio State University College of Law (2001), and The Cincinnatus Society (2002).

Outside of work, Kent has been a mentor to various kids for more than fifteen years. For the past eight years, Kent has been a mentor to two students in our inner city schools. He also spends a significant amount of time in our downtown Over-The-Rhine neighborhood. On September 26, 2006, President George W. Bush presented Kent with the President's Volunteer Service Award. Kent also received leadership and advocacy awards in 2004 from both The Arc-Hamilton County (MR/DD) and W.E.B. DuBois Academy in Over-the-Rhine. Kent is also a graduate of the United Way Volunteer Leadership Development Program (now "BOLD") and the Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers ("CALL").

Kent attributes any success to his incredible wife, Karen, who passed away in July 2007 after a 10-year battle with breast cancer. He still resides in Mt. Lookout with his son Robby (13), daughter Angeline (11) and dog (Duke) - all big Ohio State Buckeye fans. Outside of work, Kent enjoys biking, running, swimming and coaching his kids' teams. Kent has competed in triathlons since the early 1990's. In recent years, he has completed the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon and he finished his first of two 1/2 Iron-man's in under six hours.

Law School

J.D., Ohio State University College of Law, 1991; Ohio State Law Journal; National Moot Court Team

Education

B.A., magna cum laude, English & Economics, Kenyon College, 1988, Phi Beta Kappa, College Football Hall of Fame Post-Graduate Scholarship

Bar Admissions

State of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

Affiliations

Karen Wellington Memorial Foundation for LIVING with Breast Cancer (chair, 2007-present)
The Arc-Hamilton County Board of Trustees (1994-2004), Secretary and Executive Committee (MR/DO)(1996-2004)
Boy Scouts of America, Explorer's Post (Advisor 1992, Co-Chair 1993-95, Law Cluster Chair 1995-99)
Cincinnati Bar Foundation, Board of Trustees (1996-98, 2004-present)
Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Mentoring Committee (1998-present), Chair (2000-2004); Board of Trustees (1999-present), Chair (2005-present)
Board of Trustees (1994-2004), Secretary and Executive Committee (MR/DO)(1996-2004), Explorer's Post (Advisor 1992, Co-Chair 1993-95, Law Cluster Chair 1995-99), Board of Trustees (1996-98, 2004-present), Mentoring Committee (1998-present), Chair (2000-2004); Board of Trustees (1999-present), Chair (2005-present)
Kenyon College Alumni Association, President (1997-2002), Vice President (1993-97), Steering Committee (1991-2001)
Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church, Chair, Annual "Ministry in Motion" 5K Race (1993-2004); Board of Trustees (2001-2004), Community Service Committee (2004-present); Capital Campaign Committee (2005-2006)
Kids Voting of Southwestern Ohio, Board of Trustees (1997-2002); Executive Committee and Chair, Law & Finance Committee (1998-2002)
Cincinnati Public Schools mentor, tutor, speaker and coach (1991-present)
"Out of the Crossfire," Board of Trustees (2007-present)
Cincinnati Bar Association; Board of Trustees (1996-98, 2000-04), Executive Committee (1998); Community Service Board Committee (1996-2004), Chair (1999-2004); Young Lawyers' Section, Board of Directors (1993 - 99), Chair (1997-98), Founder/Chair Mentoring Committee (1998)