“ It is with great admiration and respect that I congratulate Bill Cunningham on receiving JVR’s Lifetime Achievement Award — a well-deserved recognition of his extraordinary career and lasting impact on the legal profession. I have known Bill since we attended college to- gether at DePaul University. It does not surprise me at all that he is receiving this very high honor. Even way back then, and I mean way, way back, Bill was one of the most respected and admired people on campus. He has carried that persona into his career in the legal profession, and his many accomplishments prove the merit of this award. Throughout his distinguished 50 years of practice, he has exemplified the very “ One of the first trials sent to my courtroom, when I was assigned to the Law Division, was a medical malpractice lawsuit. The case was emotional, complicated, and very much contested. After motions the attorneys agreed to a trial schedule and process that was fair and thoughtful. Im - portantly, due to the respect the attorneys had for each other, the disputes were lim - ited to the important matters. The attor - neys were well-organized and exceedingly professional. I will never forget the opening statements. Plaintiff made a captivating opening perfectly presenting the issues to the jury. Plaintiff’s opening was less than an hour and at the completion I had one thought: that will be impossible for De - fense counsel to follow. The courtroom was still when opposing counsel rose to respond to Plaintiff’s opening. Then, with - out hesitation, Defense counsel presented an equally incredible opening statement that perfectly synthesized the complicated medical and legal issues. In that moment the jurors were moved; the jurors recog - nized both the gravity of the case and qual- ity of the attorneys. I immediately felt pride for our profession. The defense attorney on that case was Bill Cunningham. It was a privilege to preside over the trial. Thank you Bill for all that you have done for our profession.” Hon. Edward S Harmening (Ret.)
Another reason for Cunningham’s success? He’s never been afraid to be quiet during his trials. “A judge once said to me, ‘Don’t forget to use silence as a weapon,’” Cunning - ham said. “Make a really good point and then go silent. Let that point sink in. Little techniques like that help. I was fortunate to have a lot of early experience handling auto cases and slip-and-fall cases. That gave me the opportunity to try several techniques in court. When I took on more complex cases, cases that would last six or seven weeks or more, I was prepared. I had developed the discipline that helped me in these more complicated cases.” Whether mentoring younger attorneys, refining defense strategies with col - leagues or working diligently to represent his clients, Cunningham has main- tained the same focus that has defined his career from the start. His unwaver - ing dedication to the details, law and his clients has secured his place among Chicago’s most accomplished and respected trial attorneys.
best of what it means to be an attorney: unwavering integrity, intellectual rigor, and a steadfast commitment to civility. His advocacy on behalf of clients, often in the most complex and high-stakes cases, set the standard for excellence in the courtroom. He always was a most worthy opponent. He showed that great lawyering is not only about winning or losing cases but also about upholding the principles that sustain public confi - dence in the civil justice system. Beyond his record of success, it is his professionalism and ethical leadership that earned him the respect of col - leagues, adversaries and judges alike, leaving an indelible mark on Chicago’s legal community. This award honors not
just a remarkable career, but a legacy de - fined by skill, fairness and humanity. Bill Cunningham has elevated the practice of law, inspiring generations to follow his example. May this recognition serve as both a celebration of his accomplish - ments and a testament to the enduring influence he continues to have on the profession.”
Robert A. Clifford, Founder and Senior Partner, Clifford Law Offices
52 JURY VERDICT REPORTER • 2025 ANNUAL TRIAL LAWYER EXCELLENCE AWARDS
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