2025 In-House Counsel Awards: Kenneth T. Stout

Number of years with firm: 1.5

Law school: University of Virginia School of Law (2014)

Legal leadership: When the previous chair-elect of the Richmond Bar Association Corporate Counsel Section was unable to step into the office in May 2025, I volunteered to serve as section chair and on the Richmond Bar Association board. I was the lead assistant general counsel supporting a major energy contracting project involving a long-term power purchase agreement for 100 percent of the energy and capacity of a 600-megawatt generating station. I identified several legal issues that could have posed significant risk to the company if not addressed in the draft agreements.

Pro bono work/community or civil involvement: I serve on the board of the Disability Law Center of Virginia. Before joining the board, I volunteered with the DLCV on special events and served on its Resource Development Committee for over seven years. I have been active in the Richmond Bar Association for over 10 years, including several years on the executive committee of the Litigation Section and currently as chair of the Corporate Counsel Section. I have also been active with the Virginia State Bar Construction and Public Contracting Section, contributing to their annual construction law case review for over six years.

On my identity/background: I worked in non-legal roles for over 10 years before attending law school. The collaborative and communication skills from my pre-legal career have helped me navigate numerous situations as a lawyer embedded in a company.

Most pressing issue that IHCs face: The need to effectively reflect business priorities while sufficiently managing legal risks.