I grew up in a family rooted in the law. My grandfather (Claud Recker) was an attorney in Ottawa, Ohio who started his law practice in 1925. His daughter (Ann Recker Cunningham, my mother) and my father (Paul Cunningham) where also both attorneys who worked at my grandfather's law firm. 

My mother became Putnam County Court Judge (now the Putnam County Municipal Court) in 1985 and held that office until she retired from the bench in 2005. My father took over the law firm from my grandfather and continued to practice law. 

I joined the family's law firm in 1999 upon passing the bar and took over the family practice when my dad retired in 2002. 

As you can see from my family's history, I have always been around the law. From a very young age, I have witnessed first-hand how critical the law is to our society, and the responsibility judges have to properly apply the law based on the facts presented. The legal insight and guidance I received from my grandfather and my parents influenced me to choose the law as my life's path. 

When I graduated from the University of Toledo School of Law and passed the Bar Exam in 1999, I returned home to Ottawa and joined my father and mother at the Cunningham & Cunningham Law Firm (now Cunningham Law) where I have been representing families in Putnam County and throughout Ohio in a variety of legal practice areas outlined below. 

In addition to representing families as an attorney at the Cunningham Law firm, I was appointed to serve as a Magistrate of the City of Findlay Municipal Court in October 2017 where I have handled hundreds of court cases each year involving a variety of legal matters. Sitting the bench is a different kind of experience from being a practicing attorney, and sitting the bench is an experience that I'm proud of.

The giving of my time and personal resources to the Putnam County community has and continues to be a high priority in my life. 

Beyond my legal career, I served as Vice President of Administration for the Boy Scouts Black Swamp Area Council from 2011 to 2022, where I was involved in mentoring young people across Northwest Ohio. I am an Eagle Scout myself and spent years as a Scoutmaster.

I have been a member of the Ottawa Sons of the American Legion for over 28 years and have served as Commander for the Sons of the American Legion. I also served as Commander of the First District Sons of the American Legion from 2006 to 2007. I am a social member of both the Ottawa and Leipsic VFW posts, as well as a member of the Ottawa and Leipsic Eagles.

I was also a member of the Ottawa-Glandorf Jaycees. And I served on the Putnam County Republican Party Central Committee and Executive Committee from 2008 to 2017.

Beyond supporting community organizations, it has become a tradition for to bake pies and pumpkin rolls, especially around the holiday season, to support local fundraisers who auction the baked goods to raise funds for families, kids and elders in need in our community. Helping an organization reach its goal reminds me how generosity multiplies when we do it together.