Michael K Kennedy

Michael Kennedy, co-founding partner of the Gallagher and Kennedy law firm and a key figure in Arizona professional sports, died in his Phoenix home on Tuesday morning February 9 2021 after a two-year battle with liver cancer, the firm confirmed to The Arizona Republic. He was 70. Kennedy practiced in general civil litigation and served as local, regional and national counsel to a variety of business clients, including Arizona sports teams, law firms, retailers and energy companies. Mike attended Duke University and remained a "Blue Devil" throughout his life. Mike received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1975. His legal career started at the Phoenix law firm of Snell & Wilmer where his practice focused on civil litigation. In 1978, together with Mike Gallagher, he founded the law firm of Gallagher & Kennedy. Under their leadership, G & K grew into one of Phoenix's largest and most respected firms. Mike was the Chairman of the Arizona Super Bowl XLII Host Committee and was a member of the Executive Committee for Super Bowl XLIX. He was the "Big Chief" of the Phoenix Thunderbirds and Tournament Chairman of the Phoenix Open Golf Tournament. He served as Chairman of the Thunderbird International Junior Golf Tournament, Director of the National Minority Golf Foundation and was a member of the Board of Directors and President of the Paradise Valley Country Club. Mike also served as President of the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. Mike is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Patricia Kennedy and his beloved first wife, Nancy Martin Kennedy. He is survived by his wife, Dawn, and children Jennifer (Adam) Burns, Rusty (Alyson) Kennedy and Kevin Kennedy, sister Kay Kennedy (Sue Rodman), cousins, nieces and nephews. The great joy of Mike's later years was the time spent with his grandchildren, Nancy Kate, Adelyn & Patrick Burns and Avery, Emma & Isla Kennedy.