Biography of Mark G. Cunningham, ESQ.
Personal
Born June 17, 1959, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Education
Loyola Marymount University (B.A. 1981)
Syracuse University, College of Law (J.D. 1984)
Admitted to Practice
State Bar of California, 1985
U.S. District Court, Central District, 1987
Member
State Bar of California
Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
Los Angeles County Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
San Fernando Valley Bar Association
American Board of Trial Advocates (“ABOTA”)
Mark G. Cunningham is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the premier trial organization in the United States, founded in 1958. ABOTA is an invitation-only organization. Less than 1% of all practicing lawyers in California are invited to join this elite group of trial lawyers. Only the most qualified defense and plaintiff attorneys with courtroom experience are invited to join ABOTA. To qualify for membership, courtroom experience must be verified. However, more than the number of trials is considered. Members must exhibit the virtues of civility, integrity and professionalism.
Mark G. Cunningham graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 1981 with a degree in Business Administration. He received his law degree from Syracuse University, College of Law in 1984.
After passing the bar, he joined the law firm of McKay, Byrne & Graham. In 1995, he was elevated to partner and later became managing partner of the firm.
He started his law firm in 2003 as an alternative to larger firms that often assign files to inexperienced associates, resulting in additional cost and greater exposure to the client. His clients include insurance and self-insured companies that desire a seasoned litigator who can effectively cost manage and resolve their litigation.
He recognizes the vast majority of all cases filed in Southern California are resolved without trial. As such, it is his strategy to evaluate liability and damages in every case at the earliest possible opportunity in order to determine if the case can be resolved by settlement, motion for summary judgment or dismissal. If the case cannot be resolved before trial, he believes clients deserve that the case be handled by a seasoned lawyer who knows how to win at trial. In his experience, a well-prepared case will result in a successful resolution, whether by settlement or by jury verdict.
He currently enjoys handling a variety of tort litigation with an emphasis on motor vehicle, commercial trucking, premises liability, products liability, toxic tort and construction cases involving a variety of artisans. Examples of cases he has successfully tried include spinal injury resulting from a fall from a defective tank car, brain injury resulting from a ruptured chlorine tank, brain injury resulting from a commercial trucking accident, and death of a minor in a bicycle accident.
In addition to practicing law, Mr. Cunningham enjoys offering other services to his clients and members of the California Bar. He assists clients in the development of litigation guidelines and cost management programs. He provides updates on the law. He also enjoys lecturing on many topics of tort litigation, including trial practice, effective use of pleadings and discovery, and alternative dispute resolution. He currently serves as an arbitrator for the Los Angeles County Superior Courts.
He is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and San Fernando Valley Bar Association. He is also a member of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and Defense Research Institute.
He is married and has three children.