J.D. (cum laude) University of San Francisco, B.A. Michigan State University, Proctor in Admiralty (U.S.)
Admiral Kenney is the former Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations Division at the International Maritime Organization, where he was responsible for the delivery of legal services to the IMO Secretariat and the 175 Member States, with particular emphasis on the law of the sea and treaty law.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Admiral Kenney served as the Chair of the IMO’s Seafarer’s Crisis Action Team, providing intervention and support to seafarers stranded as a result of the pandemic. In 2022, Admiral Kenney was seconded to the United Nations, where he served as part of the negotiating team and later as the Initial UN Coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Prior to his service with the UN/IMO, Admiral Kenney served for 33 years in the United States Coast Guard, ultimately being assigned as the Judge Advocate General and Chief Counsel. Previous assignments include Chief, Office of Maritime and International Law and several other legal and operational tours, including Commanding Officer, USCG Pacific Area Tactical Law Enforcement Team and service aboard a polar icebreaker.
Admiral Kenney is currently an Adjunct Professor at the World Maritime University and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute. He previously was an Adjunct Professor of Maritime Law at the Georgetown University Law Center. He has published numerous articles and book chapters. He joined the Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law as a visiting fellow in 2023 and undertakes teaching and research within the Institute.