James P. Cunningham

James P. Cunningham


Williams, Williams, Rattner & Plunkett, P.C.

Recognized since 2014

Birmingham, Michigan

Practice Areas

Family Law

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James P. Cunningham maintains one of the most highly regarded family law and divorce litigation practices in the state. In his over 30 years in practice, he has represented numerous men and women well-known in the Detroit metropolitan community. His career includes ten published appellate cases concerning important family law issues, three of these before the Michigan Supreme Court.

A prolific author, Jay has published over twenty articles on family law topics. He lectures extensively throughout the state. He is one of three attorneys in Michigan certified as a fellow in the International Academy of Family Law. He is on the faculty of three institutes that provide legal education and certification to lawyers and non-lawyers, and is the adjunct professor of family law at Western Michigan University - Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He is a Fellow and past President, of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the most prestigious organization of family law practitioners in the nation. Jay is also a past President of the Oakland County Bar Association, a current member of the Board of Trustees of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and a current member of the Board of Directors for the Birmingham Museum.

Prior to law school, Jay served five years with distinction as an officer in the United States Navy.

Jay is frequently honored for achievement by his peers and ranking organizations. He has been named as a “Michigan Super Lawyer” since its inception, and has been honored as one of Michigan’s “Top 100 Lawyers” by Thomson Reuters. He is also ranked by Martindale-Hubbell as an AV® “Preeminent”™ Lawyer since 1988.

Location
  • 380 North Old Woodward Avenue, Suite 300
    Birmingham, MI 48009
Education
  • Brown University, Bachelor of Arts, with honors, graduated 1972
Bar Admissions
  • Michigan, 1980
Affiliations
  • International Academy of Family Law - Fellow
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - President, Michigan Chapter (2009 - 2010)
  • State Bar of Michigan - Member, Family Law Section
  • State Bar of Michigan - Chair, Character and Fitness Committee, District 1 - Oakland County (2004-2010)
  • State Bar of Michigan - Executive Board Member, Family Law Council (1986 - 1992)
  • American Bar Association - Executive Committee, Law Practice Management Section
  • American Bar Association - Member, Family Law Section
  • Oakland County Bar Association - Past President (2003 - 2004)
  • Oakland County Bar Foundation - Board of Directors (2002 - 2005)
  • Oakland County Bar Association - Veteran’s Committee Chair (2014 - 2015)
  • Oakland County Bar Association - Chair of Family Law, Circuit Court, Diversity, and Bench Bar Conference Committees (1992 - 2001)
  • American Inns of Court - Charter Master
  • Birmingham (Michigan) Museum - Board of Directors
  • Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History - Board of Trustees
  • Alumni Association, Brown University - Past Chairman
Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for work in:
  • Family Law
Awards:
  • Super Lawyers “Top 100 Michigan Lawyers”
  • Michigan Super Lawyers, 2006 to 2017
  • DBusiness Magazine “Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit,” 2012 to present
  • Nation’s Top One Percent, 2014 to present
  • Leading Lawyers, 2013 to present
  • National Association of Distinctive Counsel
  • AV “Preeminent” Lawyer (peer review ranking by Martindale-Hubbell), 1988 to present
  • American Bar Association National Pro Bono Award, Veterans Assistance, 2013
  • Oakland County Bar Association Distinguished Service Award
  • Who’s Who in American Law, 6th Edition, 1999
  • Who’s Who in the World, 19th edition, 1990

Publications

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