Judge Cunningham has been a General District Court Judge in the Tenth Judicial District since 1997. During his time on the court, he oversaw the development of one of the state’s first docket management systems, which reduced waiting time and provided more rapid resolution.
 
Prior to his appointment, Judge Cunningham practiced law in a variety of public and private capacities. He was an Assistant Attorney General from 1975-1976, Counsel for the General Electric Company from 1976-1977, and an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Halifax County from 1977-1979. Cunningham served as the senior and managing Attorney for the Virginia Legal Aid Society from 1979-1987, and was in private practice in Halifax County from 1987-1997. He was recently appointed to the Commission on Professionalism by the Virginia Bar Association, which is responsible for developing principles of professionalism for lawyers in Virginia.
 
He received a bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University in 1970 and a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1975. He is an active member of the community, serving as President/Chairman of the Board of the Halifax Regional Hospital and Vice-rector and member of the Board of Visitors of Virginia State University.