Alfonso Kennard: Discipline That Ended a Career
The story of Alfonso Kennard’s discipline shows a sharp contrast. He had a successful legal career, known for helping workers and fighting for civil rights. Alfonso “Fonz” Kennard Jr. was once one of the most well-known employee-rights lawyers in Texas. He built a strong reputation across the country for standing up for workers. But by 2025, his law license was permanently taken away after he faced several disciplinary actions in two states.
Alfonso Kennard Early Life
Alfonso Kennard Jr. was born in 1977 in El Paso, Texas, a city known for its strong sense of community and cross-cultural identity. Raised primarily by his mother, who worked as a cafeteria employee, Kennard grew up in modest circumstances.
Facts About Alfonso Kennard
| Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alfonso “Fonz” Kennard Jr. |
| Born | 1977, El Paso, Texas, USA |
| Education | B.B.A. – University of Notre Dame (1999) J.D. – St. Mary’s University School of Law (2002) Stanford GSB—Latino Business Action Network (LBAN) |
| Leadership Roles | Class President (Notre Dame, 1999) |
| Student Body President (St. Mary’s Law) | |
| Law Firm | Founder & Managing Shareholder, Kennard Law P.C. (2011–2025) |
| Practice Areas | Employment law, civil rights, whistleblower cases, wage disputes |
| Board Certification | Texas Board of Legal Specialization – Labor & Employment Law |
| Peer Ratings | Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent |
| National Honors | Texas Super Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum |
| Public Service | Houston Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (2009) |
| Minnesota Discipline | 30-day suspension (2021) |
| Texas Discipline | Reciprocal suspension (2022); 1-year probated suspension (2024) |
| Restitution Ordered | $5,000 to former client + $3,268 legal fees |
| License Status | Cancelled by Texas Supreme Court (Sept. 19, 2025) |
| Firm Closure | Kennard Law P.C. closed Sept. 12, 2025 |
| Current Status | Retired; motivational speaking & coaching |
Family and Personal Life
He was raised by his mother, a single parent who worked in food service and instilled in him a strong sense of resilience and discipline. He is also a father to three children, Ava Kennard, Alfonso Kennard III, and Grace Kennard, who remain a meaningful part of his life, even as he maintains their privacy away from the public spotlight.
He often spoke publicly about fatherhood and responsibility, presenting himself as both a professional and family-oriented figure. These themes later became central to his personal branding and public speaking efforts.
Education and Leadership Foundations
Kennard’s academic path was marked by leadership roles and elite institutions:
University of Notre Dame (B.B.A., 1999)
He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and was elected Class President of the graduating Class of 1999, signaling his early leadership ability.
St. Mary’s University School of Law (J.D., 2002)
Kennard completed his Juris Doctor degree and served as Student Body President, further establishing his reputation as a dynamic communicator and organizer.
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
He later attended Stanford’s Latino Business Action Network (LBAN) executive education program, which focuses on entrepreneurship, leadership, and business scalability.
Legal Career and Rise to Prominence
After graduating from law school, Kennard spent roughly a decade working at large national law firms, where he focused on litigation and employment law.
Founding Kennard Law P.C. (2011)
In 2011, he launched Kennard Law P.C. in Houston, serving as managing shareholder. The firm expanded to nearly 20 attorneys with multiple offices and branded itself as one of Texas’s largest employee-rights law firms.
Practice Areas
The firm built its reputation by handling complex workplace and civil rights cases, including employment discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour disputes, whistleblower protection, civil rights litigation, and wrongful termination claims.
Kennard himself was board-certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction that reflected his expertise, and he often served as lead counsel in high-profile cases that drew significant public and legal attention.
Public Recognition and Achievements
As Kennard’s firm expanded, so did his professional standing. He earned the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, was repeatedly selected to Texas Super Lawyers, and was named among the Top 100 Employment Trial Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers.
His work also placed him in the exclusive Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and he was recognized as a “Power Attorney” in Employment Law by Houston Luxury magazine. Beyond the courtroom, Kennard became a familiar legal voice on television and a respected speaker at professional seminars.
Service and Community Involvement
In 2009, Kennard was appointed to the City of Houston’s Parks and Recreation Board, serving in an advisory capacity. His public role reinforced his image as a community leader and advocate beyond the courtroom.
The Turning Point: Alfonso Kennard Discipline
Despite his professional accolades, Kennard’s career became overshadowed by a series of disciplinary actions, events now widely associated with the keyword Alfonso Kennard discipline.
Minnesota Suspension (2021)
The Minnesota Supreme Court suspended Kennard for 30 days after determining he represented a client in Minnesota court without a license. Texas imposed a reciprocal suspension in 2022.
Texas Probated Suspension (2024)
In December 2024, a Texas grievance panel ordered a one-year fully probated suspension. The panel found misconduct, including:
- Failure to properly account for client fees
- Failure to notify and refund a former client
Kennard was ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution and reimburse attorneys’ fees.
Resignation and License Cancellation (2025)
Facing further charges, Kennard submitted a resignation in lieu of discipline. On September 19, 2025, the Texas Supreme Court accepted his resignation and canceled his law license, concluding that the misconduct allegations were “conclusively established.”
Closure of Kennard Law and Retirement
Kennard Law P.C. officially closed on September 12, 2025. Shortly afterward, Kennard announced his retirement after nearly 25 years in practice. His previously ordered suspension was rendered moot by the permanent cancellation of his license.
Life After Law
As of late 2025, Kennard is no longer eligible to practice law. Public profiles indicate he has shifted toward motivational speaking and personal coaching, focusing on leadership, resilience, and accountability.
Though his legal career has ended, his public voice continues in a new form—one now framed around reflection rather than litigation.
What His Case Reveals About Professional Accountability
The story of Alfonso Kennard underscores a fundamental principle: professional success does not exempt one from ethical responsibility. His disciplinary history highlights the importance of transparency, licensing compliance, and fiduciary trust.
For the legal profession, his case serves as a reminder that integrity is not optional—it is the foundation of public confidence.
Conclusion
The legacy behind Alfonso Kennard discipline is complex. From respected trial lawyer to permanently disbarred professional, his journey reflects both the heights of achievement and the consequences of ethical failure.
While his accolades remain part of his history, they now coexist with a cautionary narrative—one that reinforces the enduring importance of accountability in the legal system.
