Jefferson Circuit Court
Charlie Cunningham
Division 4
|
Jefferson Circuit Court Charlie Cunningham
|
Family
Married 16 years to the former Vicki Lucas Baker; three children: Kathryn, Meredith, & Michael
Son of Charles L. Sr. and Mary Donna “Dee” Cunningham
Five siblings: Sarah, Kevin, Caren, Cindy, and Chris
Education
Ballard High School (1975)
University of Louisville, Speed Engineering School (1979); B.S. in Environmental Engineering
University of Kentucky, College of Law, (1982); J. D.
Employment
1973-77: Cunningham Overhead Door (in family business, as warehouse laborer)
1977-78: U. S. Geological Survey, Water Division (assistant field hydrologist)
1979: Kentucky Dept. of Natural Resources & Environmental Protection (legislative researcher)
1980: Chessie System Railroad (laborer with Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way union)
1980-82: Kincaid, Wilson, Schaeffer & Hembree (law clerk, litigation department)
1982-86: Gary Gardner & Associates (associate attorney, personal injury litigation)
1986-2004: solo attorney with general practice focused on litigation
2004-present: Cunningham & Fell, Pllc (founding member of Louisville law firm)
Volunteer Community Involvement
Former mayor and city commissioner of Hills and Dales, Kentucky
Former board member of Clifton Community Council
Active member of Christ Church United Methodist
Active PTA member and school volunteer
Law Day lecturer in public schools
Former moderator of Jefferson County Adult Education class, “People’s Law School”
Former director, Youthworks
Coach for youth basketball, field hockey, and soccer
Middle school, high school, and international science fair judge
Selected Practice Highlights
> 25+ years of legal experience, the vast majority spent litigating in circuit court
> Wide range of trial experience; from cases tried in a day to complex cases requiring months of trial and involving dozens of witnesses and hundreds of exhibits
> Counsel in both class actions and mass tort claims
> Trial counsel for >100 farmers in Logan & Butler Counties resulting in $217,000,000+ verdict (second largest in KY history)
> Trial counsel for 3,500 clients in Anniston, AL, who settled with Monsanto for $300+ million after months of trial
> Has represented clients in all Jefferson Circuit Court divisions, dozens of other Kentucky counties, and several states
> Rated Very High/Preeminent (A) in legal ability and Very High (V) in ethical standing
Reported Decisions
Imes v. Touma, 784 F.2d 756 (6th Cir. 1986)
Southeastern Baptist Hospital v. Gaylor, 756 S.W.2d 467 (Ky. 1988)
Fryxell v. Clark, 856 S.W.2d 892 (Ky.App. 1993), disc. rev. den’d.
Abernathy v. Nicholson, 899 S.W.2d 85 (Ky. 1995)
Wine v. Globe American Casualty. Co., 917 S.W.2d 558 (Ky. 1998)
Wilhite v. Rockwell International, 83 S.W.3d 516 (Ky. 2002)
In re: Mars Hill Baptist Church, 761 So.2d 350 (Ala. 2000)
Ex Parte Monsanto, 862 So.2d 595 (Ala. 2003)
Selected Lectures & Pulications
University of Louisville, Department of Chemical Engineering, various topics (1985-present)
“Comparative Personal Injury Law - KY v. IN”, moderator at KATA seminar (1992)
“Taking Effective Depositions”, presenter at Lorman Services seminar (1994)
Kentucky Causes of Action Manual, Toxic Torts chapter, Ky Academy of Trial Attorneys (1994)
“Litigating Toxic Tort Cases”, presenter at Louisville Bar Assoc. seminar (1996)
“Dealing with Disabilities & Language Challenges”, moderator at LBA seminar (2000)
“Litigating Mass Torts - Strategies and Ethics”, moderator at KATA seminar (2001)
“Mold Claims and Litigation”, presenter at Kentucky Bar Association seminar (2003)