Hon. Kenneth J. Powell (Ret.) brings decades of distinguished legal and judicial experience to Marks, O’Neill, O’Brien, Doherty & Kelly. Most recently, he served as a Judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas from 2015 through 2026, where he was assigned to both the Criminal and Civil Divisions and presided over hundreds of trials, including numerous complex litigation matters. He previously served as a Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court from 2008 to 2015.
Prior to his judicial service, Judge Powell had an accomplished trial career spanning more than two decades. He served as defense counsel at Marks, O’Neill, trying jury cases throughout the eastern United States, with a focus on representing asbestos manufacturers in complex litigation. He also founded the Law Offices of Powell and Minehart and served as both a trial attorney and Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia, where he conducted more than 200 jury trials.
In addition to his legal career, Judge Powell has been deeply committed to public service in the Philadelphia community, including work with organizations such as Bethesda Project and Project H.O.M.E. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Honorable Louis H. Pollak Award for his efforts to advance the public interest and expand access to justice.
