Kent is a trial lawyer with broad experience in complex, high-stakes litigation. His practice includes contract, real estate, insurance, bankruptcy, and commercial tort litigation. He’s successfully argued in courts across the country, has handled complex commercial arbitrations, and driven multi-party mediations to favorable settlements.
Before co-founding Hayden Ryan & Ciullo, Kent spent six years as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago, where his clients included healthcare companies, manufacturers, private equity firms, real estate investment groups, professional sports organizations, and a range of other industries.
Kent is also committed to serving his community through pro-bono work. He’s won a habeas corpus claim vacating a wrongful murder conviction, obtained a trial verdict for an indigent tenant paying rent on an uninhabitable apartment, and obtained a significant settlement on an ADA claim for a client who was terminated after being injured on the job.
experience
Representative Matters
Counsel for a Fortune 500 healthcare company in dispute with the purchaser of several of their hospitals. Won every substantive piece of litigation across three forums, including a TRO in Texas, an arbitration award that was litigated up to the Delaware Supreme Court, and a summary judgment win in Delaware Chancery Court.
Arbitration counsel for a national revenue cycle management company in a dispute against a hospital group. After a dominant final hearing, the Counterparty filed for bankruptcy, and ultimately agreed to dismiss its claim against our client.
Trial counsel for a national sporting goods retailer in a real estate dispute against a mall owner. After obtaining a rare, plaintiff-side partial summary judgment win on tortious interference claims, helped secure a landmark settlement in the middle of a two-week federal jury trial.
Trial counsel for bankruptcy estate seeking insurance proceeds following the explosion of an oil refinery. Case settled favorably in the middle of trial.
Trial counsel for creditor seeking payment of administrative fees from Chapter 11 debtor. Following Kent’s cross-examination of the Chief Restructuring Officer, the Debtor settled the claim.
Trial counsel for Chapter 11 debtor against claims by a landlord that leases had been terminated prior to the commencement of the bankruptcy cases. After an evidentiary hearing, Court ruled in favor of our client.
Trial counsel for landlords in a different Chapter 11 case before the same court on a claim that leases had been terminated prior to the commencement of the bankruptcy cases. After an evidentiary hearing, the Court ruled in favor of our client.
Counsel to former property owners in litigation seeking cost recovery under CERCLA for environmental remediation. Following multilateral mediation including two ownership groups, the operators of the property, and each of their insurers, client settled within policy limits.
Trial counsel for insurance brokerage firm against an underwriter on competing allegations of breach of contract and unfair business practices. Kent’s examination of a former employee revealed additional claims against the underwriter, and the case promptly settled.
Litigation counsel for big-4 accounting firm in class action alleging discrimination in recruiting and hiring policies. Case settled favorably.
Trial counsel for manufacturer defending claims of antitrust conspiracy, monopolization, and tortious interference with competitor’s supply.
Trial counsel for multimedia conglomerate in bankruptcy litigation involving claims by subordinated creditors seeking equitable liens against the Debtors. After a trial, the Court ruled for our client.
Credentials
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
- Summer associate, 2013
- Litigation associate, 2014–2020
- Partner, 2020–2026
Education
Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude 2014
- Order of the Coif
- Chief Executive Editor, Washington University Law Review
- Award for Excellence in Oral Argument
Princeton Theological Seminary, M.Div., 2010
Lycoming College, B.A., Religion & Archaeology, summa cum laude 2007
Recognition
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation, 2024–2025
Received a “Litigator of the Week” shout out by The American Lawyer Litigation Daily, September 16, 2022
Co-recipient of the 2018 Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service from the Northern District of Illinois
Representative Matters
Counsel for a Fortune 500 healthcare company in dispute with the purchaser of several of their hospitals. Won every substantive piece of litigation across three forums, including a TRO in Texas, an arbitration award that was litigated up to the Delaware Supreme Court, and a summary judgment win in Delaware Chancery Court.
Arbitration counsel for a national revenue cycle management company in a dispute against a hospital group. After a dominant final hearing, the Counterparty filed for bankruptcy, and ultimately agreed to dismiss its claim against our client.
Trial counsel for a national sporting goods retailer in a real estate dispute against a mall owner. After obtaining a rare, plaintiff-side partial summary judgment win on tortious interference claims, helped secure a landmark settlement in the middle of a two-week federal jury trial.
Trial counsel for bankruptcy estate seeking insurance proceeds following the explosion of an oil refinery. Case settled favorably in the middle of trial.
Trial counsel for creditor seeking payment of administrative fees from Chapter 11 debtor. Following Kent’s cross-examination of the Chief Restructuring Officer, the Debtor settled the claim.
Trial counsel for Chapter 11 debtor against claims by a landlord that leases had been terminated prior to the commencement of the bankruptcy cases. After an evidentiary hearing, Court ruled in favor of our client.
Trial counsel for landlords in a different Chapter 11 case before the same court on a claim that leases had been terminated prior to the commencement of the bankruptcy cases. After an evidentiary hearing, the Court ruled in favor of our client.
Counsel to former property owners in litigation seeking cost recovery under CERCLA for environmental remediation. Following multilateral mediation including two ownership groups, the operators of the property, and each of their insurers, client settled within policy limits.
Trial counsel for insurance brokerage firm against an underwriter on competing allegations of breach of contract and unfair business practices. Kent’s examination of a former employee revealed additional claims against the underwriter, and the case promptly settled.
Litigation counsel for big-4 accounting firm in class action alleging discrimination in recruiting and hiring policies. Case settled favorably.
Trial counsel for manufacturer defending claims of antitrust conspiracy, monopolization, and tortious interference with competitor’s supply.
Trial counsel for multimedia conglomerate in bankruptcy litigation involving claims by subordinated creditors seeking equitable liens against the Debtors. After a trial, the Court ruled for our client.
Credentials
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
- Summer associate, 2013
- Litigation associate, 2014–2020
- Partner, 2020–2026
Education
Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude 2014
- Order of the Coif
- Chief Executive Editor, Washington University Law Review
- Award for Excellence in Oral Argument
Princeton Theological Seminary, M.Div., 2010
Lycoming College, B.A., Religion & Archaeology, summa cum laude 2007
Recognition
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation, 2024–2025
Received a “Litigator of the Week” shout out by The American Lawyer Litigation Daily, September 16, 2022
Co-recipient of the 2018 Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service from the Northern District of Illinois