Prominent AZ Lawyer Who Represented Cardinals, Diamondbacks Dies

ACROSS ARIZONA — A prominent Arizona lawyer who represented the Arizona Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks has died. Michael Kennedy, a co-founding partner of Gallagher & Kenned, passed away Tuesday morning following a two year battle with cancer. He was 70 years old.

Following the news of his passing, Gov. Doug Ducey said he considered Kennedy, a key figure in Arizona professional sports, a personal friend who was a "tireless champion for the community that was his home."

A statement from the governor reads in part:

“Mike left a lasting impression on everyone he met — including me. He was devoted to serving our community and helping those in need. For years, he dedicated his time to youth, conservation, education and numerous other charitable causes.

Mike cared deeply for Arizona, and stopped at nothing to lift it up. He worked closely with Michael Bidwill and the Arizona Cardinals organization to help secure Super Bowls and College National Championships to our state. He served as Arizona Host Committee Chairman for Super Bowl XLII and was a member of the Executive Committee for the Arizona Host Committee for Super Bowl XLIX.

He was involved in a number of groups and committees that support Arizona and draw people to our beautiful state. Mike was also a leader in the legal community — a member of the Maricopa County Bar Association Hall of Fame and co-founder of Gallagher & Kennedy. "

Kennedy served as the president of the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation since its inception.On Tuesday, Arizona Diamondbacks President & CEO Derrick Hall said he considered Kennedy a great friend and family member.

"Mike Kennedy - our Diamondbacks Foundation President, former Phoenix Open Chair, former Super Bowl Chair. Community champion, wonderful father and husband. I loved him dearly," Hall said via Twitter.

"Our organization mourns the loss of longtime friend and colleague Mike Kennedy," the Arizona Cardinals also tweeted in response to Kennedy's death. "Our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with his family in this difficult time."

According to his professional bio, Kennedy was consecutively recognized as a “Best Lawyer” by Best Lawyers in America from 2005 to the present and by Chambers USA since 2003. Acknowledged by Southwest Super Lawyers since 2007, Kennedy was honored as a “Super Lawyer” in 2013 in all of his practice areas: general commercial litigation, professional liability litigation and representation of professional sports teams.