Richard L. Cunningham Sworn in as SBM Representative Assembly Chair

Richard L. Cunningham, of Detroit, has been sworn in as the chair of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly for 2018-2019. Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Court Judge Melissa L. Pope officiated at the Sept. 27 ceremony, held during the SBM NEXT Conference at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

The 150-member Representative Assembly is the final policy-making body of the State Bar. The Michigan Supreme Court created it in 1971 at the request of the SBM Board of Commissioners in order to increase geographical representation and member participation in State Bar policy. Cunningham represents the Third Judicial Circuit in the Assembly.

Cunningham is chief of the Criminal Division of the state of Michigan Department of Attorney General. Prior to his current role, he has served as a criminal defense attorney, staff counsel for the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, staff counsel for the U.S. Veterans Administration, an assistant prosecutor in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, and as a Recorder’s court judge.

Cunningham is a member of the SBM Board of Commissioners. Prior to his current term, he served three consecutive elected terms on the SBM Board, and two previous terms on the SBM Representative Assembly. He has served as chair of the Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan.