With profound sadness, Martin, Pringle, Oliver, Wallace & Bauer, LLP shares the passing of Jeff Kennedy, a transformative leader and distinguished attorney who served as the firm’s longest-tenured managing partner. Kennedy passed away February 3, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of growth and professional excellence.

Kennedy joined Martin Pringle in 1986 and assumed the role of managing partner in 2002, a position he held for 12 years until transitioning back to full-time practice in 2014. He continued to practice through his retirement at the end of 2022.

Kennedy’s legal career began as Assistant General Counsel for the Kansas Corporation Commission, where he specialized in oil, gas, and environmental issues. This foundation allowed him to become one of the region's foremost experts in energy and natural resources.  He was a key advisor to the state, serving on the Kansas Energy Council and the Kansas Energy and Environmental Policy (KEEP) Advisory Group under Governor Kathleen Sebelius. He served on the executive committee and board of directors for the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association (KIOGA).

In addition to numerous "Lawyer of the Year" accolades, Kennedy was a five-time recipient of the Wichita Bar Association President’s Award (1995, 2001, 2006, 2014, and 2015).

A devoted Jayhawk, Kennedy was a life member of the University of Kansas Alumni Association and served a five-year term on its National Board of Directors including a stint as president. He received the Mildred Clodfelter Alumni Award for his extraordinary volunteer efforts at the local level in 2007 and the Fred Ellsworth Medallion, the Alumni Association’s highest award for volunteer service to the University, in 2019.

His community impact included service on the boards of the Washburn University School of Law, the Wichita Art Museum, the Wichita Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission, the Dean's Steering Committee for the KU School of Medicine-Wichita, the Petroleum Club, Arts Partners, and the Nature Conservancy.

Our thoughts are with Jeff's family. 

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