Overview
Kent is a partner in the Vorys Cincinnati office and a member of the litigation practice group. His practice is focused on business and commercial litigation. Kent has significant experience representing clients in complex commercial, banking, insurance, construction, employment, ERISA and shareholder derivative and fiduciary duty litigation.
Career highlights include:
- Obtaining summary judgment on behalf of outside directors against claims for breach of fiduciary duty, with claimed damages in excess of $30 million
- Successfully defending former executives against claims for breach of fiduciary duty, violation of non-compete agreements, tortious interference, trademark infringement and conversion
- Serving as co-counsel in successful defense to jury of multimillion-dollar will contest
- Defeating class certification on behalf of large automobile parts supplier in sexual harassment lawsuit
- Prosecuting claims to enforce rights in chattel paper and obtaining a multimillion-dollar settlement
- Successfully defending a large financial institution in multi-million dollar and multi-jurisdictional litigation involving more than 12 separate actions
- Obtaining multi-million dollar judgment on behalf of large financial institution on breach of contract claims
- Successfully defending large financial institution on lender liability claims on multiple occasions
- Obtaining dismissal on behalf of large financial institution in an action alleging losses over $100 million as a result of alleged breach of contract
- Successfully defending large financial institution and outside board of director against claims for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and unjust enrichment
- Obtaining dismissal on behalf of large gasoline distributor of claims for fraud, conversion and breach of contract
- Successfully defending large health insurer against ERISA claims on multiple occasions
- Successfully defending large municipality against construction bid protests on multiple occasions
- Successfully defending large life insurer in various putative class actions in state and federal court against claims for bad faith
- Successfully defending Fortune 100 company against breach of contract claims with alleged damages in excess of $1 million
Kent received his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and his B.S. from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business
Kent has presented on the issues of alternative dispute resolution, law for design professionals in Ohio, fundamentals of construction law, construction contracts, public competitive bidding and contracting in Ohio, ESI and e-discovery, lender liability and consumer financial services law.
Honors & Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2024
The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - ERISA “Lawyer of the Year,” 2019, 2025
The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2008-2025; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2023-2024; Litigation - Construction, 2012-2018, 2024-2025; Litigation - ERISA, 2012-2025; Litigation - Health Care, 2023-2025; Transportation Law, 2025
Ohio Super Lawyers, General Litigation, 2011, 2014-2024
Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars, General Litigation, 2005-2007, 2010
Leading Lawyer Business Litigation, Cincy Magazine, 2009-2014, 2017-2024
Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers, Class X, 2006
Professional & Community Activities
Cincinnati Bar Association, Member
Cincinnati Bar Association, Board of Trustees, 2014 to present
Cincinnati Bar Association, Character and Fitness Committee, Member; Chair, 2010-2009; Chair-Elect, 2009-2008; Vice-Chair, 2008-2007; Secretary, 2007-2006; Nominating Committee, 2014 to present
Federal Bar Association, Member
American Bar Association, Litigation and Construction Sections, Member
Potter Stewart American Inn of Court – Master of the Bench
Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers (CALL) Class X, 2006
Street Law, Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline Program, Teacher
Cincinnati Friends of e-discovery, Member
St. Mary (Hyde Park), Member; St. Mary Athletic Commission President, 2008-2011, 2015; Vice President, 2014; Long Range Planning Committee, Member; Facilities Task Force Subcommittee, Chair; Head Football Coach, 2011-2013; Head Girls Basketball Coach, 2005-2011
Vorys ArtsWave Campaign Chair, Cincinnati Office, 2011 to present
News & Insights
News
Events
Publications
Services
Education
University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D., 1997
Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, B.S., 1994
Bar & Court Admissions
- Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- Admitted to practice law only in the states listed above.