We are deeply saddened to share that our friend and fellow attorney, Kent M. Forney, has passed away. Prior to the formation of Dickinson Bradshaw, Kent had been with the Bradshaw firm where he was a trial attorney for 65 years until his retirement in 2023. He was highly regarded for his expertise in corporate insurance, insurance defense and insurance regulation, and was named as among The Best Lawyers in America in 2003.
Kent obtained a B.A. from the University of Iowa in 1956, served in the U.S. Army, and earned his J.D. (with Distinction) from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1958.
During the span of his legal career, Kent was a leader in the legal and insurance communities. He served as general counsel to the Iowa insurance commissioner and was instrumental in drafting legislation that created the state’s mutual holding company act. He was a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission, the Iowa State Bar Board of Governors (1976-1978), and he was appointed by the Iowa Supreme Court as one of 3 lawyer members of a 15-member Commission that drafted the plan to create the Intermediate Court of Appeals.
In addition, Kent was a member of several national and regional legal organizations, including the Polk County Bar Association (President, 1975-1976), the Association of Insurance Attorneys (President,1977-1978), the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Association of Defense Counsel, the Iowa Defense Counsel Association, International Society of Barristers, and the Defense Research Institute. He was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Bar Foundation. He served as President of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers and was a founding member of IBOTA.
Outside of his legal practice, Kent was a mentor to many rising legal professionals. He was an Adjunct Professor of Law at Drake University Law School, teaching insurance law. He was also elected as a director of several insurance companies and was inducted into the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame for his significant impact on the insurance industry in 2006.
“Kent and I formed a bond based on common interests in fishing and the insurance industry. These topics might not sound exciting to some, but it provided us with endless conversation,” said Attorney Sean O’Brien. “In a complex world, Kent had a knack for keeping things simple. I think often of this important lesson. He was a great mentor, and I will miss his counsel.”