Kent A. Britt

Kent is a partner in the Vorys Cincinnati office, a member of the litigation practice group and head of the Vorys transportation law subgroup.  His practice is focused on business and commercial litigation.  Kent has significant experience representing clients in 3PL, complex commercial, banking, insurance, construction, employment, ERISA and shareholder derivative and fiduciary duty litigation.  

He has substantial experience representing and assisting 3PL clients with, among other issues, risk mitigation from both transactional and operational perspectives, claims and other litigation, employment matters, preparation and enforcement of business agreements and regulatory matters.  He advises clients on transactional matters, including broker-carrier, broker-shipper and shipper-carrier agreements, warehousing agreements, trailer leasing agreements, global services agreements, distribution management agreements, outsourcing agreements, co-broker and agency agreements.  He also regularly represents shippers concerning freight claims, cargo liability and other litigation.  He has experience advising shipper clients’ transportation departments on risk mitigation, contract and related issues.

Career highlights include:

• Obtaining summary judgment on behalf of outside directors against claims for breach of fiduciary duty, with claimed damages in excess of $30 million
• Successfully defending former executives against claims for breach of fiduciary duty, violation of non-compete agreements, tortious interference, trademark infringement and conversion
• Serving as co-counsel in successful defense to jury of multimillion-dollar will contest
• Defeating class certification on behalf of large automobile parts supplier in sexual harassment lawsuit
• Prosecuting claims to enforce rights in chattel paper and obtaining a multimillion-dollar settlement
• Successfully defending a large financial institution in multi-million dollar and multi-jurisdictional litigation involving more than 12 separate actions
• Obtaining multi-million dollar judgment on behalf of large financial institution on breach of contract claims
• Successfully defending large financial institution on lender liability claims on multiple occasions
• Obtaining dismissal on behalf of large financial institution in an action alleging losses over $100 million as a result of alleged breach of contract
• Successfully defending large financial institution and outside board of director against claims for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and unjust enrichment
• Obtaining dismissal on behalf of large gasoline distributor of claims for fraud, conversion and breach of contract
• Successfully defending large health insurer against ERISA claims on multiple occasions
• Successfully defending large municipality against construction bid protests on multiple occasions
• Successfully defending large life insurer in various putative class actions in state and federal court against claims for bad faith
• Successfully defending Fortune 100 company against breach of contract claims with alleged damages in excess of $1 million

Kent is a member of the Transportation Intermediaries Association’s (TIA) education, program and CTB committees and regularly presents on transportation law matters, such as freight claims management, cargo theft mitigation, risk mitigation, protection of confidential and proprietary information, transportation contract drafting, liability issues and employment matters.  For several years, he has spoken annually at TIA’s annual Capital Ideas conference and conducts the pre-conference seminar Mastering Freight Claims Management - Maximizing Your Efficiency.

Kent received his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and his B.S. from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business

Kent has presented on the issues of alternative dispute resolution, law for design professionals in Ohio, fundamentals of construction law, construction contracts, public competitive bidding and contracting in Ohio, ESI and e-discovery, lender liability and consumer financial services law.

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year,” 2024

The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - ERISA “Lawyer of the Year,” 2019, 2025

The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2008–2026; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2023–2024; Litigation – Construction, 2012–2018, 2024–2026; Litigation – ERISA, 2012–2026; Litigation – Health Care, 2023–2026; Transportation Law, 2025–2026

Ohio Super Lawyers, General Litigation, 2011, 2014-2025

Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars, General Litigation, 2005-2007, 2010

Leading Lawyer Business Litigation, Cincy Magazine, 2009-2014, 2017-2024

Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers, Class X, 2006

Professional & Community Activities

Cincinnati Bar Association, Member

Cincinnati Bar Association, Board of Trustees, 2014 to present

Cincinnati Bar Association, Character and Fitness Committee, Member; Chair, 2010-2009; Chair-Elect, 2009-2008; Vice-Chair, 2008-2007; Secretary, 2007-2006; Nominating Committee, 2014 to present

Federal Bar Association, Member

American Bar Association, Litigation and Construction Sections, Member

Potter Stewart American Inn of Court – Master of the Bench

Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers (CALL) Class X, 2006

Street Law, Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline Program, Teacher

Cincinnati Friends of e-discovery, Member

St. Mary (Hyde Park), Member; St. Mary Athletic Commission President, 2008-2011, 2015; Vice President, 2014; Long Range Planning Committee, Member; Facilities Task Force Subcommittee, Chair; Head Football Coach, 2011-2013; Head Girls Basketball Coach, 2005-2011

Vorys ArtsWave Campaign Chair, Cincinnati Office, 2011 to present