Jeffrey A. Kennard

Jeffrey A. Kennard

Shareholder

Assistant :

Jeffrey A. Kennard is chair of SAKG’s Construction & Design practice group and a key member of its Business & Commercial Litigation group. A foremost authority in construction law, Jeff is trusted by owners, contractors, and design professionals for strategic counsel and results in complex, high-stakes disputes across Missouri, Kansas, and beyond.

About

Jeffrey A. Kennard is a Shareholder at SAKG, serving as chair of the firm’s Construction & Design practice group and as a member of its Business & Commercial Litigation group. With nearly three decades of experience, Jeff represents owners, contractors, design professionals, and businesses at all phases of construction projects—focusing on dispute resolution involving project delays, contract claims, and defective construction for ventures ranging from refineries and military facilities to sports stadiums and commercial developments.

Jeff has tried or arbitrated more than 30 cases to verdict or award, earning industry honors such as recognition in The Best Lawyers in America and Missouri Lawyers Media’s POWER List. His clients—public companies, major private businesses, and small enterprises—rely on him for his practical judgment, technical proficiency, and strategic advocacy in high-value matters. Jeff also serves on the American Arbitration Association’s National Panel of Construction Arbitrators, underscoring his commitment to effective and fair dispute resolution. His leadership and proven track record set the standard for excellence in construction and commercial litigation.

Areas of Practice

Construction & Design

Business & Commercial

Served as lead counsel for Idaho-based mechanical subcontractor in action seeking $5.48 million unpaid contract balance for work performed on new hospital facility in North Dakota. The defendant, a local general contractor, asserted a counterclaim contending it was entitled to offset the entire unpaid contract balance and recover an additional $2.56 million due to our client’s alleged failure "to perform diligently and in a workmanlike manner." After a five-day jury trial, the jury awarded our client the entire $5.48 million unpaid contract balance and awarded the defendant only $1.6 million on its counterclaim, thus resulting in a net verdict of $3.88 million in our client’s favor.
Served as lead defense counsel for regional pharmacy chain in more than 70 actions brought against it in the National Prescription Opiate Multi-District Litigation, which is often described as “the largest and most complex civil litigation in U.S. history.”
Served as lead defense counsel for regional grocery retailer in putative class action brought on behalf of Missouri consumers. Putative class sought more than $7 million in damages arising from alleged mislabeling of nutritional contents of food supplement. Obtained dismissal of action with prejudice prior to commencement of discovery.
Served as lead counsel and successfully defended international EPC contractor in arbitration arising from design and construction of biodiesel facility under cost-plus contract. Owner of facility sought $18.8 million in damages arising from alleged design defects and alleged “mismanagement” of project. Asserted counterclaim on behalf of client to recover unpaid fees. Following three-week evidentiary hearing, arbitrators awarded client entire amount of counterclaim and awarded owner less than one percent of its claimed damages.
Served as lead trial counsel and secured defense jury verdicts for regional retailer in multiple personal injury cases throughout the Midwest, many of which sought damages in excess of $1 million.
Served as lead counsel and successfully defended EPC contractor in arbitration arising from design and construction of oil-gas hydrocracker at Utah refinery. Mechanical subcontractor sought $12 million in damages for alleged delays, disruptions, and productivity losses. Initially obtained dismissal of suit, which was filed in Utah federal court, based on venue-selection clause in subcontract notwithstanding Utah statute that invalidated such clauses. Then, pursuant to parties’ agreement to resolve dispute via expedited arbitration and two-week evidentiary hearing, subcontractor obtained $3.6 million award, which was within range of acknowledged liability and less than final settlement offer.
Served as lead counsel and successfully defended architect and engineers in arbitration arising from roof renovation of domed sports arena. Design-builder sued clients and sought $1.2 million in damages arising from alleged design errors. Design-builder dismissed all claims and paid clients’ fees after third day of hearing.
Served as lead counsel for EPC contractor and surety in Miller Act action brought by excavation subcontractor seeking additional compensation for work performed on project at Georgia military base. After completing targeted discovery and defeating claimant’s motion for summary judgment, successfully negotiated nominal settlement.
Served as lead counsel and successfully defended design-builder in lawsuit arising from construction of Oklahoma food processing facility. Owner sought $850,000 in damages for alleged design and construction defects. Client was awarded summary judgment on all claims, plus its attorney’s fees and costs.
Served as lead counsel and successfully defended EPC contractor in action brought by mechanical subcontractor in Texas state court seeking damages for disruptions and productivity losses on refinery project. After completing investigation and case analysis, successfully negotiated nominal settlement at mediation.
Served as lead counsel and defended lawsuit brought by residential homeowner against multiple parties, including our client, which manufactured windows, alleging more than $2.2 million in damages due to alleged construction defects and failure of building envelope. After developing evidence that performance of windows exceeded specifications and contractor did not properly install windows in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines, successfully negotiated favorable settlement at mediation.
Served as lead counsel and represented Canadian manufacturing company in commercial arbitration before the International Centre for Dispute Resolution. Client asserted claims against Global 500 international company for wrongful termination of distributorship agreement. Following seven-day evidentiary hearing, client was awarded all claimed damages, plus reimbursement of all administrative expenses and costs.
Served as lead counsel and defended engineering firm in multi-defendant personal injury action arising from collapse of dust collector system in industrial facility in St. Louis. Upon completing investigation and early assessment, successfully negotiated settlement of claims against client for nominal amount. Plaintiff later obtained jury verdicts against remaining defendants that collectively exceeded $2.5 million.