Kent represents employers in a wide variety of employment matters. He serves as principal outside employment counsel for a number of employers headquartered or with substantial operations in Arizona. His work ranges from daily counseling on employment law issues as they arise in the workplace to complex employment litigation in both federal and state courts. He also has significant experience in other types of civil litigation. Kent is the Managing Partner of our firm, which sounds more impressive than it is.
EDUCATION AND BAR ADMISSIONS
- J.D., UCLA School of Law, 1984; Editor-in-Chief, UCLA Law Review, 1983-84
- B.A., University of Notre Dame, 1981, magna cum laude
- Admitted in Arizona, 1984
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Advising employers about handling all manner of workplace issues—including employee discipline and discharge decisions—in compliance with applicable federal and state law
- Negotiating and drafting employment agreements, offer letters, confidentiality and intellectual property agreements, arbitration agreements, separation and severance agreements, and other employment-related agreements
- Preparing employee handbooks and other policies and procedures
- Directing or conducting investigations into allegations of corporate or executive wrongdoing, discrimination, or workplace harassment
- Performing employment law audits to insure compliance with state and federal statutes
- Training Human Resources and supervisory personnel how to avoid employment law liability
- Defending employers against employment-related litigation in state and federal court
- Defending employers in employment-related arbitrations
- Defending employers against administrative charges before various state and federal agencies with responsibility for enforcing statutory employment laws
- Prosecuting and defending claims involving activities of former employees, including alleged breaches of non-compete agreements and fiduciary duties
ACTIVITIES AND RECOGNITIONS
- Listed as Best Lawyers 2012 Phoenix Lawyer of the Year for Litigation- Labor and Employment
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America for Employment Law 2006-2012
- Listed in the Chambers U.S.A. Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as one of Arizona’s top management-side employment attorneys
- Listed in Super Lawyers (Southwest) for employment law
- Listed in Arizona's Finest Lawyers 2011
- Master of the Bench and past President of the Sandra Day O’Connor Inn of Court in Phoenix
- Member, Board of Directors, Tempe Preparatory Academy
Coppersmith Schermer & Brockelman PLC
2800 N. Central Ave.,
Suite 1200
Phoenix, Arizona 85004-1009
P (602) 381-5477
F (602) 772-3777
