Kendrick is a Member in Stoll Keenon Ogden’s Louisville office. He chairs both the firm’s Administrative Law/Regulated Industries Department and its Utility & Energy practice group. He joined Stoll Keenon Ogden in 1993 and served as vice chair of the firm’s board of directors from 2006 to 2022.
Kendrick has represented energy and telecommunications clients throughout Kentucky and Virginia for nearly four decades. He routinely appears before state commissions and courts on behalf of clients, providing his expertise on complex issues ranging from constitutional challenges of utility laws to rate cases and mergers or acquisitions.
Utility & Energy: Kendrick has represented Kentucky’s two largest investor-owned energy companies in state regulatory matters for nearly his entire career. He has served as lead regulatory counsel in more than 25 electric or gas base rate cases and numerous rate mechanism cases. Beyond those cases, he has obtained all state regulatory approvals connected with four multibillion-dollar mergers or acquisitions.
Kendrick recently served as lead counsel in the approval of renewable power contracts involving one of the largest additive solar power facilities in Kentucky.
Outside Kentucky, Kendrick has appeared before the Virginia State Corporation Commission for more than twenty years in cases involving ten base rates, nineteen fuel factor changes, four utility acquisitions, numerous financings and other matters involving investor-owned electric utility companies.
As a civic leader, Kendrick serves as Chairman of the Board for Legal Aid Society and is a member of the board of Greater Louisville, Inc.
Recognition
• BTI Client Service All-Star, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2020
• AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® since 1995
• Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, 2015, 2017, 2019
• Best Lawyers®, Administrative/Regulatory Law, Communications Law, Energy Law, and Utilities Law, 1997-present
• Chambers USA, Leading Lawyer for Business, Utilities, since 2010
• Louisville Magazine, Top Lawyer, Administrative Law, 2012-present Louisville Magazine, Top Lawyer in Louisville, 2006
• Kentucky Super Lawyers® Honoree, 2007-2011, 2013-2020
Civic Leadership
• Louisville Legal Aid Society, Chairman of Board of Directors, 2018-present; Vice President, Board of Directors, 2016; Member, Board of Directors, May 2013-2015; Legal Aid Society Justice for All Campaign Chair, 2011
• Greater Louisville, Inc., Board Member, 2003-2018; 2020-present; Member, 2017 Planning Committee; Member, Board of Directors, November 2003-February 2006 and February 2007-December 2019; • Member, Finance Committee, 2014-2018; 2020-present
• Boy Scout Troop 317, Assistant Scoutmaster, Christ Church United Methodist, 2002-2009
• Cub Scout Pack 313, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Den Leader, 1998-2002
• Louisville and Jefferson County Human Relations Commission, Member, 1984-1986
Eagle Scout, 1974
Work Highlights
Amicus Counsel
Kentucky Public Service Com’n v. Com. ex rel. Conway, 324. S.W.3d 373 (Ky. 2010)
Public Service Com’n v. Com., 320 S.W.3d 660 (Ky. 2010)
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Rate Cases
Since 2009, Kendrick has served as lead counsel in nine gas and electric base rate cases before the Kentucky Public Service Commission and seven electric base rate cases before the Virginia State Corporation Commission that resulted in the approval of changes in electric or gas base rates.
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Investor-owned Public Utility
In 2007, Kendrick provided regulatory advice on fuel adjustment clause policy issues to an investor-owned, publicly traded electric utility in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Early Lease Termination
From 2007 through 2009, Kendrick served as lead regulatory counsel for a utility holding company in a major regulatory matter before the Kentucky Public Service Commission that involved the early termination of a 25-year facility lease with a generation and transmission cooperative corporation and 10-year power supply contracts for two large industrial customers. In April 2007, the utility holding company and cooperative corporation agreed to end the lease early. Almost two years later, after months of investigation, the Kentucky Public Service Commission approved the transaction, which closed in mid-2009.
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Wireless Carriers
In 2006, Kendrick was state regulatory counsel for two wireless carriers in connection with an arbitration proceeding initiated by rural telephone cooperatives concerning interconnection agreements.
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Electric Utilities Counsel
From 2003 to 2006, Kendrick was lead state regulatory counsel for two electric utilities in connection with their successful and complete withdrawal from the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator.
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Telecommunications
From 2002 to 2004, Kendrick was state regulatory and litigation counsel for a telecommunication backbone carrier in connection with real estate, right-of-way, municipal law and regulatory issues.
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Utility Rate Litigation
Following four years of litigation, Kendrick obtained a favorable published decision from the Kentucky Supreme Court involving the constitutionality of a ratemaking statute in Kentucky Industrial Utility Customers, Inc. v. Kentucky Utilities Co., 983 S.W.2d 493 (Ky. 1998).
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Defense of Consumer Rate Complaints
From 1998 to 2000, Kendrick was lead counsel on applications for alternative methods of regulation and in defense of consumer rate complaints before the Kentucky Public Service Commission.
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Modification of 15-Year State Precedent
In 1993, Kendrick obtained a favorable decision from the Virginia State Corporation Commission involving outdoor lighting to general service customers in Case No. PUE 910079 (1993), modifying a 15-year state precedent.
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Rate Case
From 1991 to 1993, Kendrick was case manager and trial counsel for Virginia Power’s three successive base rate cases, which involved approximately $500 million in interim rates and requested relief.
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Gas and Electric Utility Litigation
In 1990, Kendrick obtained a favorable decision involving the terms of gas storage field lease in Huff v. Lou. Gas & Elec. Co., No. 89-CA-771 (Ky. App. 1990). (Opinion not published).
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
intraLATA Competition
Kendrick successfully argued to the Kentucky Public Service Commission that it should allow full intraLATA competition in “In the Matter of: In Re IntraLATA Toll Competition,” 110 PUR4th 414 (March 28, 1990).
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Litigation of Oil and Gas Lease
Kendrick obtained a favorable decision from the Kentucky Court of Appeals involving an oil and gas storage lease in Oliver v. Lou. Gas & Elec. Co., 723 S.W.2d 509 (Ky. App. 1987).
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Invalidated Minimum Price Laws
Kendrick served as a member of the litigation team that successfully invalidated minimum price laws in Kentucky Milk Mktng. & Antimonopoly Comm’n. v. Kroger Co., 691 S.W.2d 893 (Ky. 1985).
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Workers’ Compensation Reversal of Opinion
Kendrick obtained a decision from the Kentucky Supreme Court that reversed the Kentucky Court of Appeals and affirmed a decision by the Workers’ Compensation Board in Paramount Foods, Inc. v. Burkhardt, 695 S.W.2d 418 (Ky. 1985).
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
Antitrust, Constitutionality of State Law
Kendrick brought action on behalf of a major grocery chain claiming Sherman Act and Kentucky Constitution violations by a state agency in Kentucky Milk Mktng. & Antimonopoly Comm’n. v. Kroger Co., 691 S.W.2d 893 (Ky. 1985). The result invalidated state statutes regulating milk marketing.
Related Practices: Antitrust, Trade Regulation & Franchise
Class Action Litigation Defense – Appellate
From 1983 through 1986, Kendrick obtained favorable decisions from the trial court, the Court of Appeals, the Kentucky Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court concerning a class action suit against CATV operators and local utilities for trespass in Michaels et al. v. Times Mirror Cable Television et al., Circuit Court No. 83-CI-07641, aff'd, Kentucky Court of Appeals No. 85-CA-1081, aff'd on other grounds, Supreme Court of Kentucky, No. 86-C-123, cert. denied, United States Supreme Court. (Opinions not published)
Related Practices: Utility & Energy
News
118 SKO Attorneys Named to “2023 U.S. News Best Lawyers® in America”, Aug. 18, 2022
77 STOLL KEENON OGDEN ATTORNEYS HONORED IN “BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA” 2022 Edition, Aug. 19, 2021
Kendrick Riggs earns prestigious legal honor, July 2, 2021
Congratulations to Kendrick Riggs, Vice Chair, for being selected as a new voting member of the 2021 Greater Louisville Inc. Board of Directors., Feb. 2, 2021
SKO Presenting Catalyzing Community Conversation, Oct. 21, 2020
73 Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC attorneys are recognized in the 2021 edition of the Best Lawyers in America®, one of the most respected legal peer-review guides in the world., Aug. 20, 2020
Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 47 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Nov. 27, 2019
SKO Attorneys Recognized Among 2020 Best Lawyers in America®, Aug. 15, 2019
Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 52 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Dec. 11, 2018
SKO Attorneys Recognized Among 2019 Best Lawyers in America, Aug. 15, 2018
SKO Attorneys Recognized Among Best Lawyers in America, Aug. 16, 2017
SKO Attorneys and Practices Earn High Marks from Chambers and Partners, May 26, 2017
Five SKO Attorneys Recognized Among Top 50 Kentucky Super Lawyers, Nov. 18, 2016
Best Lawyers in America Chooses 61 SKO Attorneys for 2017 Publication, Aug. 30, 2016
Twelve SKO Attorneys Named 2017 Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers®, Aug. 29, 2016
30 SKO Attorneys Named “Top Lawyer” by Louisville Magazine, Mar. 2, 2016
Chambers USA Recognizes 24 SKO Attorneys, Feb. 22, 2016
Lea Pauley Goff and Richard G. Griffith named among Top 50 Kentucky Super Lawyers, Nov. 30, 2015
SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2016, Aug. 17, 2015
28 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Chambers USA 2015, Apr. 1, 2015
Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 57 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Nov. 24, 2014
SKO Attorneys Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers®, Aug. 18, 2014
SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2015, Aug. 18, 2014
33 SKO Attorneys Named “Top Lawyer” by Louisville Magazine, Mar. 25, 2014
25 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Chambers USA 2014, Mar. 12, 2014
Kendrick Riggs and Rick Griffith Named “Client-Service All-Stars”, Feb. 11, 2014
Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 42 Stoll Keenon Ogden Attorneys, Nov. 26, 2013
SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2014, Aug. 19, 2013
CFO of the Year Award winners announced, July 1, 2013
22 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Chambers USA 2013, June 5, 2013
34 SKO Attorneys Names “Top Lawyer” by Louisville Magazine, Mar. 5, 2013
BTI Recognizes Stoll Keenon Ogden for Client Service, Feb. 20, 2013
22 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Chambers USA 2013, Feb. 10, 2013
61 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2013, Sep. 7, 2012
22 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Chambers USA 2012, June 7, 2012
SKO Attorneys Recognized by Chambers USA 2012, Feb. 28, 2012
Stoll Keenon Ogden & Fund for the Arts Present the Second Annual James Welch Sr. Arts Leadership Award, Sep. 26, 2011
Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 25 SKO Attorneys, July 25, 2011
SKO Attorneys Ranked in Chambers USA 2011, June 10, 2011
SKO Client-Executive Earns Industry Leadership Award from The Energy Daily, Mar. 22, 2011
SKO Attorneys Recognized by Chambers USA 2011, Mar. 16, 2011
SKO Receives 27 Top-Tier Rankings in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” Rankings, Sep. 15, 2010
53 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2011, Aug. 6, 2010
26 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Kentucky Super Lawyers, July 28, 2010
SKO Attorneys Recognized by Chambers USA, June 14, 2010
SKO Attorneys Recognized by Chambers USA 2010, Apr. 15, 2010
Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 27 SKO Attorneys, Aug. 15, 2009
49 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Aug. 6, 2009
SKO Attorneys Recognized by Chambers USA 2009, June 15, 2009
Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 26 SKO Attorneys, July 29, 2008
Lawyers Honored by Chambers USA, June 19, 2008
39 SKO Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Sep. 19, 2007
Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 24 SKO Attorneys, June 19, 2007
Louisville Magazine Recognizes SKO Attorneys as Best Lawyers in America, Mar. 15, 2006
Publications
Kendrick Riggs tackles his utility and energy practice, triathlons with quiet determination, Oct. 12, 2009
Seminars
Trends and Projections in Electric Supply and Demand, panel moderator, Kentucky Mineral Law Conference, Lexington, KY, Oct. 18, 2017
Using Affiliates for Non-Electric Products and Services, co-speaker, The Prime Group, LLC's 2008 Electric Cooperate Rate Conference, Louisville, KYOct. 29, 2008
Law Seminars International Utility Rate Case Conference, speaker, Las Vegas, NVFeb. 8, 2008
Alternative Dispute Resolution and Settlement Strategies: Effective Strategies for Stakeholders - A Utility's Perspective, panelist
Large Power Contracts, co-speaker, The Prime Group, LLC's 2007 Electric Cooperate Rate Conference, Louisville, KentuckySep. 25, 2007
Mergers and Acquisitions: The View From the State Regulatory Perspective, moderator, Energy Bar Association 61st Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.April 25, 2007
Electric Power Industry Issues, moderator, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation 31st Annual Mineral Law Conference, Lexington, KentuckyOct. 5, 2006
Panel on State Regulation After the Repeal of PUHCA, moderator, Annual Meeting of the Energy Bar Association, Washington, D.C.Apr. 27, 2006
Negotiating Coal Supply Contracts, panelist and Understanding the Unique Perspective of the Utility Purchaser, introductory speaker, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation Winter Workshops on Energy Law, Fort Myers Beach, FloridaJan. 27, 2006
Electric Power Issues: The Brave New World: Real Time Energy Markets, moderator, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation 29th Annual Mineral Law Conference, Lexington, KentuckyOct. 14, 2004
State Regulation and Ratemaking, guest lecturer, University of Kentucky, College of Law, Energy Law ClassNov. 17, 2003
Electric Power Transmission Issues - RTOs and Mixed Messages, speaker, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation and the University of Kentucky Mineral Law Center's 28th Kentucky Mineral Law Conference, Lexington, KentuckyOct. 16, 2003
Reporting Client Misconduct: Whistle Blowing and Going Up the Corporate Ladder After Enron, panelist, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation 24th Annual Institute, North Myrtle Beach, South CarolinaJun. 1-3, 2003
Fuel Choice for the power Industry: Supply, Economics & the Environment, program chair, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation/Energy Bar Association Electric Power Industry Special Institute, Charleston, South CarolinaNov. 18-19, 2002
State Regulation and Ratemaking, guest lecturer, University of Kentucky, College of Law, Energy Law ClassNov. 14, 2002
Perspectives on Coal Supply Agreements After 2001, speaker, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation and the University of Kentucky Mineral Law Center's 27th Kentucky Mineral Law Conference, Lexington, KentuckyOct. 10, 2002
Restructuring the Electric Power Industry at the Federal and State Levels: Is Anybody Out There Happy?, moderator, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation's Energy Policy and the Electric Power Industry Special Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, Sep. 10-11, 2001
Acquisitions of U.S. Energy Companies by Foreign Investors, speaker, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation's Electric Power Industry Special Institute, Columbus, OhioJun. 21-22, 2000
Radical Changes at Electric Utilities: Why Buy a Baseball Stadium, moderator, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation's Restructuring the Electric Power Industry, Cincinnati, OhioJun. 25-26, 1998
Ethical Tensions in a Restructured Utility Environment, speaker, American Bar Association - Section of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law's Conference on Electricity law and Regulation, Denver, ColoradoFeb. 11-13, 1998
Affiliations
• Energy Bar Association, Board Member, 2009-2012
• Energy Bar Association Southern Chapter, Vice President, 2007
• Energy Bar Association East Central Chapter, President, 2001-2002
• Energy Bar Association Southern Chapter, Board of Directors, 2003-2012
• Energy Bar Association State Commission Practice and Regulation Committee, Chair, 2005-2007
• Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, Honorary Trustee, present
• Energy & Mineral Law Foundation Executive Committee, Member, 2004-2006
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
