PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

The Board of Commissioners is the governing body of the State Bar of Michigan, akin to the Board of Directors of a public corporation. Its members are elected to three year terms by lawyers who practice in a specific election district. Richard Cunningham was elected to the Commission in June 2005 by lawyers practicing in District H (Wayne, Monroe and Lenawee Counties). He was recently re-elected to a second term. He serves as the liaison between the Board and the SBM Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

The Representative Assembly is the policy making body for the State Bar of Michigan. A larger body than the Board of Commissioners, its members are also elected by fellow lawyers. Richard Cunningham served two separate three year terms on the Representative Assembly as a representative of the Third Circuit.

The State Bar is organized into various Committees and Sections, to assist and promote different areas of practice. The Criminal Law Section deals with matters concerning the criminal law, and is composed of criminal defense attorneys, prosecutors and judges who are interested in the criminal practice. The members of the Section elect a Council to carry out their policies and goals. The Council, in turn, elects the officers for the Section. Richard Cunningham served eight years on the Council, and went "through the chairs" in officer positions. After serving one year terms as treasurer, secretary, and president-elect, he served as President of the Section in 1998-99.

Richard Cunningham has also been active in the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, and served as the Chairperson of its Criminal Law Section for three consecutive terms. In 1997 he was honored by the DMBA as its "Chairperson Of The Year". He currently serves as a Trustee of the DMBA Foundation.

Other professional affiliations include the Irish American Lawyers (member of the Board of Directors), Catholic Lawyers, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan and the Wayne County Defense Bar Association.

COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

U-SNAP-BAC, Inc. is a non-profit community-based development organization formed in 1985 with a mission to promote economic growth and neighborhood improvement on Detroit's eastside. The organization is a community group formed out of a commitment to inprove the quality of life through collaboration and support. U-SNAP-BAC Non-Profit Housing Corporation is organized to provide safe, decent, and affordable homes for families of low-to-moderate income. Among its accomplishments are the Morningside Commons development in the Alter Road / E. Warren Road area and the Lakewood Manor. Richard Cunningham serves as the Vice-Chairperson of the Board of U-SNAP-BAC.

Musician-Actor Jon Bon Jovi visited U-Snap-Bac's Morningside Commons development on Monday, July 7, 2008 on behalf of the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation, which is teaming up with Saturn and the GM Foundation, Habitat for Humanity Detroit and U-SNAP-BAC to provide five families with brand-new homes. The five homes will be ready around Thanksgiving. In the Detroit News picture to the left, Bon Jovi discusses the project with Linda Smith, the Executive Director of U-Snap-Bac. The house in the photo is being demolished and replaced with a new home as part of the project.

SAVE OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS (SOSAD) was a community-based anti-violence organization, which provided counseling and support to families of homicide victims. Richard Cunningham served as a member of the Board of Directors of this organization between 1993 and 2000.

Richard and Linda Cunningham were married at St. Juliana Roman Catholic Church, Detroit, in 1976, and remained active in the parish community until the church was closed in 2004. Richard was a Lector, who did the readings at Mass. He was active on the School Committee, the Christian Service Commission, the Athletic Club and other parish organizations and activites. Since the time the church was closed by the Archdiocese, the Cunninghams have been attending Nativity Of Our Lord Church, at McClellan near Gratiot, in Detroit.

Richard Cunningham has also been active in the Friends of Belle Isle, the East Outer Drive Community Organization and other civic and neighborhood groups.

Return To Home Page

Authorized and paid for by RICHARD CUNNINHGHAM FOR CIRCUIT JUDGE

9311 E. Outer Drive, Detroit, MI 48213