Anoka – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of James A. Cunningham, Jr. to a Tenth Judicial District trial court bench vacancy in the city of Anoka in Anoka County. The vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable Dan Kammeyer on August 31, 2008.

Cunningham is the commissioner of the Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services, a position he has held since 2003. He was an assistant Minneapolis city attorney from 1999 to 2003, an assistant district counsel with the Minneapolis Public Schools from 1993 to 1999, an associate attorney with the Rider Bennett law firm in Minneapolis from 1990 through 1992, and a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Charles E. Clevert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1989 to 1990. Cunningham earned his juris doctorate degree (1989) and his bachelor of arts degree (1986) from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

“James has demonstrated tremendous mediation and leadership skills while serving as the commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services and throughout his legal career,” Governor Pawlenty said. “Those skills and others will serve him well as a judge.”

Cunningham is an adjunct professor in the Hamline University Graduate School of Education, has been an instructor at the Hamline University School of Law, and an adjunct professor at St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis. He is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Association of Labor Relation Agencies, and the Association for Conflict Resolution. He is also chair of the Fremont Community Health Services Board, and chair of the Center for Communication and Development/KMOJ Radio Board.

Cunningham, 45, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and lives in Spring Lake Park, with his wife, Karon, and their three sons. He also has a daughter from a previous relationship.