Press Release

Oakland County Corporation Counsel Selected as In-House Leader in the Law

Pontiac, MI, May 13, 2008 Oakland County Corporation Counsel Judith Cunningham has been named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly and its sister publication, Midwest In-House as one of Michigans Top In-House Leaders in the Law.

Cunningham has been with Oakland County government for more than 25 years, first as Circuit Court Administrator and then eight and a half years ago she was tapped by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson to serve as the County of Oakland's Corporation Counsel. She also serves as a member of the Oakland County Bar Association of Directors. 

Under Cunningham's leadership, a vast majority of the countys legal work has been performed in house and not contracted out to private firms, saving the county thousands of dollars in legal costs.  The office also has an enviable record of resolving about 85% of the cases it's involved in without any payment by the county to litigants.

One of Cunningham's major achievements was as a Chair of a committee to draft changes to Michigan's Jail Overcrowding Emergency Act. As a result of her efforts and those of her committee members, changes in the law were adopted which will make it easier for counties to manage chronic jail overcrowding problems while still protecting public safety.

The Corporation Counsel's office has been recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) with an achievement award for its Intellectual Property program which protects the County's intellectual property assets.

"I am truly honored to receive this prestigious award but I must share it with the other eleven attorneys and support staff in my office because it is their dedication and hard work which is responsible for the successes we have enjoyed as a team," Cunningham said.

For media inquiries only, please contact Bob Dustman, Media and Communications Officer, at (248) 858-1048.