Episode 70_Kent Wellington

Kent Wellington has a diverse practice with an emphasis in litigation and labor/employment law, and advising start-ups, having run his own family foundation for the past 16 years. Kent has tried cases to favorable jury verdicts in all the local state and federal courts, but prides himself on avoiding litigation and getting cases resolved quickly and cost effectively. Kent is a former member of the Firm's Executive Committee, past chair of the Litigation Group, and currently serves as Cincinnati Market Leader.

Professionally, he is most proud of the strong client relationships and client friendships he has developed over the years. Kent was described by the GM/CEO of one large publicly 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.

Since 2005, Kent has been recognized every year as a “Super Lawyer” (or “Rising Star”). Only 2.5 percent of Ohio lawyers receive this honor. In 2004, the Cincinnati “Business Courier” named Kent (along with his late wife, Karen) two of Cincinnati’s top “Forty under 40.” Kent also has received awards from the American (1997), Ohio (2000) and Cincinnati (2008) Bar Associations, The Ohio State University College of Law (2001), the Cincinnatus Society (2002), the Cincinnati Park Board (2015).

Kent has two primary passions outside of work: mentoring vulnerable kids (for the past 30 years) and putting some FUN on the calendars of families LIVING with cancer (for the past 16 years). The leader of our Bricker Graydon on Main Office, Kent also spends a significant amount of time in our downtown OTR neighborhood through Saturday Hoops, Dribblethon, CYC mentoring, and other not-for-profit, entrepreneurial, and faith-based groups. 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 (OTR), from St. Aloysius Orphanage (in 2011), the “Linda K. Heines Award of Inspiration and Hope” (with his two children) from the Breast Cancer Alliance in 2013, and the "Clement L. Buenger Award for Leadership" from the United Way in 2018. Kent is also a graduate of the United Way BOLD program, the Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers (“CALL), and Leadership Cincinnati (Class 39), and gave the keynote address at Beechacres Parenting Center's 170th anniversary (in 2019) and a TedX talk in 2020.

Several years ago, Kent relocated to Covington, KY with his wife Alexia, and his son Robby and daughter Angeline live nearby. Kent also enjoys biking, running, swimming and coaching basketball. He has competed in triathlons since the early 1990’s, including three Escape from Alcatraz triathlons and several 1/2 Ironman’s.