Robert S. Kenney

Commissioner

Commissioner Robert S. Kenney was appointed to the Missouri Public Service Commission on July 29, 2009 by Governor Jay Nixon.

Prior to his appointment to the PSC, Commissioner Kenney served as Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster’s first Chief of Staff. 

As Chief of Staff, Commissioner Kenney was instrumental in leading the office through the transition process.  He was responsible for overall management of the Attorney General’s attorney and non-attorney employees in five offices throughout the state.  Commissioner Kenney was also responsible for managing and litigating cases involving, among other things, election law, petition initiatives, and representation of statewide elected officials.  Commissioner Kenney was also tasked with monitoring and advocating on behalf of legislation affecting the Attorney General’s Office.

Before working for the Attorney General, Commissioner Kenney was a shareholder at the St. Louis law firm Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus PC (now Polsinelli Shughart), where he practiced in the commercial and business litigation practice group and the product liability practice group.  He litigated cases in state and federal courts in Missouri, Illinois, and other courts throughout the country.  Commissioner Kenney chaired Polsinelli’s diversity committee and served on the firm's recruiting committee. 

Prior to his time in private practice at Polsinelli, Commissioner Kenney was an Assistant Attorney General in the Missouri Attorney General’s Office for nearly three years, practicing in the Consumer Protection Division.  In that division, Commissioner Kenney worked to enforce state and federal consumer protection laws.  Commissioner Kenney also served the community by implementing community education and outreach efforts.  Commissioner Kenney also played an instrumental role in the initial implementation and enforcement of Missouri’s Telemarketing No-Call List Law.   

Commissioner Kenney is the Immediate Past President of the Mound City Bar Association.  Commissioner Kenney has also served as a member of the board of governors of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, serving as a presidential liaison.  Commissioner Kenney also served the Missouri Bar as vice-chair of the Twenty-Second Circuit Judicial Evaluation Committee.

Commissioner Kenney has served on the Board of Trustees for Fontbonne University, the Board of Directors for The St. Louis Black Repertory Theater and the Board of Directors for the Portfolio Gallery and Educational Center.  Commissioner Kenney is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Lambda Chapter. 

Commissioner Kenney was selected as a member of the 2009-2010 Missouri Bar Leadership Academy.  Commissioner Kenney was also selected to receive the St. Louis Business Journal’s 2009 Inclusive Leadership Award.  Commissioner Kenney was named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s Class of 2009 40 Under 40.  He was also recognized in the 2008 Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, as a “Rising Star” in the Business Litigation practice area.   Commissioner Kenney was also selected to appear in the Fifth Edition of Who’s Who In Black St. Louis.

Commissioner Kenney earned his undergraduate degree in 1994 from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.  He earned his law degree in 1998 from Saint Louis University School of Law.  While in law school, Commissioner Kenney was an Articles Editor for the Saint Louis University Public Law Review.  He was also a member of the National Moot Court Team and the Moot Court Board.  He is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Illinois.

Commissioner Kenney is married to Michelle (Oakley) Kenney.  They have two children: daughter, Mackenzie, and son Robert, Jr.