Kent is an experienced trial lawyer who focuses his practice on defending companies in high-exposure product liability and commercial litigation matters.
Kent handles all phases of litigation from inception through appeal. He has tried cases to verdict in state and federal courts, handled arbitrations, and represented clients in bet-the-company class actions and multidistrict litigations. Kent also has represented clients on appeal before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Third and Eighth Circuits, the Supreme Courts of Kansas and Virginia, and the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
Before joining McGuireWoods, Kent practiced at an AmLaw 100 firm in Kansas City, Missouri where he focused his practice on representing manufacturers in product liability and commercial litigation matters. While there, Kent devoted much of his practice to representing companies on an alternative fee basis, working closely with in-house counsel, risk managers, and third-party administrators to provide cost-effective management of high-volume dockets.
Serves as national counsel for automobile manufacturer for all its Takata airbag litigation.
Defended automobile manufacturer in defense of consumer fraud claims brought by attorneys general in New Mexico, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Represented a large pipes and fittings manufacturer in defense of bet-the-company class action regarding allegedly defective CPVC pipes.
Represented large adhesive manufacturer in defense of wrongful death claim due to flash fire explosion at its manufacturing facility.
Served as national products liability counsel for a Fortune 500 company.
Represented lender in jury trial in multimillion dollar breach of contract action.
Represented physician practice management company in binding arbitration proceeding in multimillion dollar breach of contract action.
Defended fire suppression and security companies in dozens of product liability and other litigation matters that involved significant personal injuries, death, and property losses.
Authored appellate briefs to United States Courts of Appeals for the Third and Eighth Circuits and to the Supreme Courts of Kansas and Virginia on various product liability, commercial, and other issues.
Defended lenders in premises liability actions involving death and significant personal injuries on foreclosed properties.
Represented component part manufacturer in case involving significant personal injuries sustained from an elevator fall.
Defended dental equipment manufacturer against misrepresentation and unfair and deceptive trade practices claims relating to its dental restoration products.
Represented automobile manufacturer against purported class action claims relating to allegedly defective vehicles.
Represented stockholder in action for tortious interference with multimillion dollar stock purchase agreement.
Represented gas valve manufacturer in defense of breach of warranty claims in connection with the sale of tens of thousands of gas valves.
Represented various companies in defense of employment discrimination claims.
Represented lender against breach of warranty claims in connection with sale of approximately 1,000 residential mortgage loans to another lender.