Mark Kenney Obituary (1952 – 2022) – San Francisco, CA

Mark Joseph Kenney
May 18, 1952 – March 26, 2022

Mark Joseph Kenney – loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away suddenly on March 26, 2022. He was nearly 70 years old. He is survived by his dear wife, Sheila, with whom he would share 47 years of marriage in June.

A wild-man, a cowboy, an advocate, a leader, a follower, an empath, a brave-heart, and a fierce companion – Mark Kenney was a doer, all the way.

Mark was born on May 18, 1952 to James B. Kenney, Jr. and Marylou Kenney (née Bastien) in Denver, Colorado.

While attending Regis Jesuit High School in Denver, Mark visited the University of San Francisco campus. He took one look at the The City and whispered, “I’m home.” Mark and Sheila fell in love at USF, and Mark’s favorite professor and mentor, Dr. Robert L. Cunningham, became his father-in-law.

Mark completed his BS in 1975, as Valedictorian. A brilliant writer and gifted orator, he exalted his fellow graduates, “My friends, I am amazed…! Let us not forget the things we swore we would do when the chance became ours – those parts of the world we would change and those we would preserve for the future. But most of all, let us never forget that at times, as different as we are, we have stood on common ground.” One week later, on June 7, 1975, Mark and Sheila were married.

Together, they drove into New York City in a U-Haul. Mark joined NYU’s School of Law in September 1975 as a Root-Tilden Scholar. Unfazed by northeastern institutional prestige, he excelled while bringing a playful irreverence to the city. In 1977, his team won NYU’s Moot Court competition. Individually, Mark won the Orison Marden Medal as outstanding oralist, before a panel which included United States Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart. Yet Mark treasured his classmates even more than these accolades, and many became lifelong friends.

After receiving his JD, Mark returned with Sheila to the Rocky Mountains – serving as Law Clerk for the Honorable Richard P. Matsch, in the District of Colorado. During his clerkship, Mark learned a valuable lesson which served his career as a legal writer and litigator: “If a law clerk can’t read your brief on the bus-ride to work and understand it, you’re [in trouble].”

Mark and Sheila, along with newborn son Austin, then came home to San Francisco in 1980, when Mark joined Severson & Werson, APC. He strode in the door, and never left; he helped guide the firm for the next 42 years. As a young associate, his confidence matched his long hair and untamed beard. Mark became a Member at Severson in 1986, and went on to lead the Firm as Managing Director, President & CEO, and Chairman. Yet the title he prized most was ‘Counselor.’ During this tenure, Mark and Sheila raised three more sons – O’Bryan, Zachary, and Mark Gabriel.

One of the top litigators in the country, Mark specialized in civil trials, dispute resolution, and strategic business counseling. He was revered by clients, which included elite finance companies with national footprints. He won victories in numerous high visibility cases, including before the California Supreme Court in American Financial Services Association v. City of Oakland, 34 Cal. 4th 1239 (2005).

An admiring General Counsel once wrote to Mark, “I have unflinchingly described you as perhaps the best trial lawyer in the space. I think you were born for the court room, and leading in trying circumstances…You had, on one late California afternoon, the greatest couple of hours I’ve ever seen in a court room. A room full of very talented lawyers sat back and watched the master perform. I’ll never forget your moment in the sun.”

Mark was a member of the American and San Francisco Bar Associations; General Counsel to the Law Committee of the American Financial Services Association, which honored him with the Distinguished Service Award in 2006; and a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. Ever a teacher and advisor, Mark was also an instructor for the California Continuing Education of the Bar and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Mark was the rare lawyer trial, who was just as likely to champion the underserved as he was to lead enterprise-stakes litigation. His first client (as a ‘3L’ at NYU) was a young father arrested for jumping the subway turnstile. Mark and Sheila took him to their own tiny Manhattan apartment, and set him on his feet.

This personal conviction to do good – to help people – lasted his entire career. He often spoke about both the pride and responsibility in taking on the “lives and cares” of his clients. More recently, Mark took on pro bono clients in El Paso, Texas. These were textile factory workers who suffered terribly unsafe working conditions and employer abuse. They needed a voice, and Mark was theirs. Mark’s team achieved life-aging settlements for several of his clients. More simply, he said, “It was worthwhile.”

For a few special days each summertime, Mark swapped his ‘downtown’ suit for a fishing cap and pair of sandals. In those months, the mountains were calling – and he met them. The Rockies, Sierra Nevada, Cascades, and ranges twixt and ‘tween all knew his Jeep. And their waters found his fly rod. Mark didn’t like anything between him and the rush of a cold stream. He treasured the challenge and adventure of nature, and prized his time in the Great Wilderness. He loved a campfire, and staring up to the stars. And he was known to howl at the moon.

Mark Kenney was genuine. He was seriously curious. His other interests were varied, and integral: He was a seasoned traveler, western movie enthusiast, avid cyclist, early adopter, garage studio craftsman, skier, soccer coach, knife and rock collector, birder (with 15 backyard feeders), and of course, an unforgettable dancer! He couldn’t sing a lick, but he could whistle with virtuosic skill – Mark always found a way to contribute to Life’s song.

Family meant everything to him. Mark was soul mate to his “She.” And Mark will forever remain in the hearts of his four sons, Austin (Marisa), O’Bryan (Marina), Zachary (Allison), and Mark Gabriel. Mark loved his boys with equal parts of his full measure, and he honored the bonds with his daughters-in-law. “Pop” adored his ‘Darlings’ – grandchildren Asher, Christine, and Nikola. And Uncle Mark, aka ‘The Fun’ will be sorely missed by numerous nephews and nieces – as well as countless friends, neighbors, and one-time strangers. He gave to each of them in ‘Mark-specific’ ways that bridged their concerns, renewed their hopes, and enriched their lives.

Mark was preceded in death by his loving parents, Jim and Marylou, and brother David. He is survived by beloved siblings Jim (Cetta), Peter (Evie), Mary Michael (Dennis), Dan, and Alison.

And he equally loved his in-laws, Bob (now deceased) and Margery Cunningham, Mary Christine, Michael, Mark, Greg (Susan), Virginia (Michael), Roberta (David), and Lisa (John).

Mark gave Sheila, his family, and all those he touched the tools they need to carry on a life of meaning and significance. We can all appreciate, as he did, the gift of life and the world we are able to share. So, now: Breathe in the air for Mark. Look to the skies, for the birds. His childhood nickname was ‘Wings.’ He always wanted to fly…!

A memorial service will be held at Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption on Wednesday, May 18 (the 70th anniversary of Mark’s birth) at 4:30 pm, with a reception to follow. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Earthjustice (www.earthjustice.org) or a charity of choice.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Apr. 21 to Apr. 22, 2022.