Judge McKenney graduated from The Ohio State University College of Law, J.D., 1989 and was admitted to practice in Ohio in November 1989. He is also admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio and admitted to practice before the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

He first trained to be a Judge by serving as a Law Clerk to the Honorable David D. Dowd, Jr., United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio, with extensive experience in research, writing and assisting with courtroom administration. (1989-1991 & 2005-2007).

As the lead partner with McKenney & Gingrich Co., LPA, he engaged in the private practice of law focused on estate planning, probate and trust administration and probate litigation, appearing in almost every area of the Summit County Probate Court.

He has been actively engaged in serving the public both on the New Franklin Council (At-Large) and in the Ohio House of Representatives, 43rd District. He is a member of the Akron Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association.

But Judge McKenney credits his time as a Pastor at The Chapel for best equipping him to deal with the hard issues people face. He directed inner city ministries, provided pro bono legal assistance and financial counseling and served on the preaching team, in addition to conducting weddings and funerals as a licensed and ordained minister. He was honored for his work at the church and continues to serve in the community as a guest speaker and minister.