When Chris Koster was seeking the Democratic nomination for Missouri attorney general, he campaigned aggressively in the St. Louis black community.
In his final drive, he made three campaign promises n that he would hire an African American as one of his three executive staffers, open a new division devoted to civil rights and staff it in the urban areas, and devote new attention to the case of Reggie Clemons.
This week, Koster made good on one of these promises by confirming that he would appoint St. Louis attorney (and president of the Mound City Bar Association) Robert Kenney, age 37, as his chief of staff.
“It’s this office’s responsibility to represent the entire state, but African Americans were a critical part of my success in the primary and general election, and this community will be a very high priority for this office,” Koster told the American in confirming the appointment.
Former Missouri Supreme Court Justice Ronnie White, the first African American to hold that position, said Koster has made a wise choice.
“Robert Kenney is an excellent representative of the legal community. He will do an exceptional job in that position,” White told the American.
“He is a dedicated, committed person to the law n and he will keep Chris Koster grounded in the African-American community.”
Kenney will leave a more lucrative position in private practice as a partner at Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus PC, where he chairs the diversity committee, to accept Koster’s top staff position.
“I believe in public service,” Kenney told the American.
“I believe those who have been given the gift of a good education n and a law degree, especially n should put those gifts in service to something larger than themselves.”
At the same time, Kenney acknowledged “intangible” personal benefits from his new position. He said, “It’s an opportunity for my larger career, because I will get to run an office with a broad practice and a lot of intellectual challenges.”
Kenney speaks from experience. Two years after graduating from Saint Louis University School of Law, he took a position in the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, working in the Consumer Protection Division (2000-2002) under then-Attorney General Jay Nixon.
“Robert Kenney was a valued employee, and he is a skilled attorney and an esteemed member of the St. Louis community,” Nixon (who is now governor-elect) told the American.
“His commitment to law enforcement, consumer protection and equal justice is unmatched.”
As his chief of staff, Koster said, Kenney will run “a 430-person law firm with 235 attorneys attached to it.” Koster said Kenney will have “a great deal of responsibility for personnel and policy.”
“He will have ultimate authority in the administration of the office, he will be my personal confidante, he will consult on complex litigation and he will be an ambassador on behalf of the Attorney General’s Office,” Koster said.
Both Koster and White lauded Kenney for his interpersonal skills. Kenney evidently is geared to put them to work on behalf of Missouri state government.
“I hope we will be more visible in our urban communities,” Kenney said.
“I’m not sure how many people are aware of the Attorney General’s Office. I hope to be more interactive in public speaking and presentations. I hope to play a part in our being an aggressive advocate for the citizens of Missouri.”
Kenney is a native St. Louisan. He attended DeSmet Jesuit High School, graduating in 1989, then Hampton University. While in college, he worked two summers in the Comptroller’s Office of the City of St. Louis, under Comptroller Virvus Jones.
“As an intern he performed exemplary,” Jones remembered.
“I am sure he will serve the Attorney General’s Office and the people of Missouri with the same type of energy he showed me when he was in college.”
Kenney also has worked as a substitute teacher in the St. Louis Public Schools and as a community organizer for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
Currently he is president of the Mound City Bar Association, the oldest black bar association west of the Mississippi. He also is a member of the board of governors of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and serves on a number of civic committees and boards.
He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Lambda Chapter. He is married to Michelle (Oakley) Kenney, and they have two children: Mackenzie, age 4, and Robert Jr., age 11 months. They live in the city of St. Louis and attend St. Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist Catholic Church.
Reminded that another African American with a law degree and a background in community organizing was also preparing to take command of an executive leadership position n namely, as president of the United States n Kenney responded with characteristic enthusiasm. He said, “This is an exciting time to be a young, African-American professional in the state of Missouri and in this country.”
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“African Americans will be a very high priority for this office.” n Attorney General-elect Chris Koster
“This is an exciting time to be a young, African-American professional in the state of Missouri and in this country.” n Robert Kenney
