Robert J. Cunningham
Shareholder

Phone: (703) 790-1911
Fax: (703) 848-2530
RCunningham@reesbroome.com

Mr. Cunningham’s litigation practice is broadly-based, at both the trial and appellate levels. He works with clients facing construction, real estate, employment, general contract, debt and business contract disputes. A number of Rob’s cases are cited decisions by the Virginia Court of Appeals and Virginia Supreme Court as well as legal journals and publications. Rob was named one of the “best lawyers” by Washingtonian Magazine in 2004.

  
 


Practice Focus

Mr. Cunningham represents companies and individuals as both plaintiffs and defendants, in Virginia and federal courts. He is also highly experienced in mediation and arbitration proceedings, and his specialty is complex cases, representing construction companies, contractors, homeowners, consumers, lawyers and law firms and parties to commercial transactions.  Mr. Cunningham appears before local courts in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Virginia Supreme Court, the Virginia Court of Appeals and the Federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Representative Experience

  • Successfully defended an employer charged with misappropriation of retirement funds in state court jury trial
  • Won a substantial arbitration award on behalf of a former business owner who alleged violation of copyright and intellectual property rights in a business sales agreement, to include pre-verdict seizure of purchaser’s assets
  • Won an unprecedented contribution claim by an individual defendant against other co-defendants charged with intentionally converting employee pension funds in federal ERISA litigation
  • Obtained dismissal of a multi-count prosecution against a closely-held company charged with numerous building and fire code violations in a large commercial building
  • Successfully defended a business owner charged with assaulting police officers in a multi-count felony indictment
  • Won a six-figure jury damages award for a Secret Service agent exposed to pesticides while on duty
  • Had a contract to purchase an exotic sports car rescinded by court on behalf of a client suffering from an undiagnosed mental infirmity at the time of purchase
  • Obtained $450,000 verdict in favor of stockholder against managing director of closely-held corporation for shareholder oppression and conversion of corporate assets
  • Won a $380,000 judgment in contested proceedings (including compensatory and punitive damages) on behalf of construction client/homebuilder against individual investors for fraudulent scheme to purchase and resell new homes

Education and Background

  • J.D., American University (1987)
  • Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice Intern Honors Program (1985 – 1987)
  • B.A., University of Texas (1981)

Bar/Court Admissions

  • Virginia
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Judicial Circuit

Professional and Civic Involvement

  • Named one of Washingtonian Magazine’s “Top Lawyers,” 2004
  • Member, Fairfax Bar Association
  • Member, Virginia State Bar Association