Atty. James W. Cunningham

Atty. James W. Cunningham

About James W. Cunningham View website Awards Distinguished Peer Rated This award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 3.0 to 4.4.

Syracuse Syracuse 31 yrs experience 31 year
Call (315) 800-0708 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About James W. Cunningham at a glance

James W. Cunningham is a Partner based in Syracuse, New York, practicing at Smith, Sovik, Kendrick & Sugnet, P.C.. They have 31+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1995. Their practice focuses on medical malpractice, slip & fall, product liability, nursing home, and litigation. Admitted to practice in New York U.S. District Court for Northern and Western Districts Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals (1995). Educated at Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., 1994) and LeMoyne College (B.S., 1990). Recognitions include BV Distinguished. Active member of Onondaga County Bar Association New York State Bar Association American Bar Association Defense Research Institute Trucking Industry Defense Association. Serands clients in Syracuse, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

About James W. Cunningham View website

Awards

Distinguished Peer Rated This award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 3.0 to 4.4. About Awards

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

James W. Cunningham got this award in 2021

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Practice Areas Explained

James W. Cunningham's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases James W. Cunningham handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.

James W. Cunningham is one of 49,086 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in New York →

Slip & Fall / Premises Liability

James W. Cunningham is one of 29,473 slip & fall attorneys indexed nationally. Browse slip & fall attorneys in New York →

Product Liability

James W. Cunningham is one of 66,193 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in New York →

Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

James W. Cunningham is one of 6,002 nursing home attorneys indexed nationally. Browse nursing home attorneys in New York →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

James W. Cunningham is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in New York →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in New York

Practicing law in New York. Legal matters in New York are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Syracuse are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New York state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New York brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New York courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional New York attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Syracuse or all attorneys in New York.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about James W. Cunningham

Where is James W. Cunningham's law office located?
James W. Cunningham's law practice is located in Syracuse, New York. The firm is Smith, Sovik, Kendrick & Sugnet, P.C.. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does James W. Cunningham handle?
James W. Cunningham focuses on medical malpractice, slip & fall, product liability, nursing home, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in New York.
How long has James W. Cunningham practiced law?
James W. Cunningham has 31+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1995.
Where did James W. Cunningham go to law school?
James W. Cunningham earned their education at (J.D., 1994); (B.S., 1990).
How can I contact James W. Cunningham for a consultation?
You can contact James W. Cunningham directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has James W. Cunningham received?
James W. Cunningham's notable recognition includes: BV Distinguished.

Education

J.D.
Syracuse University College of Law
- 1994
B.S.
LeMoyne College
- 1990

Awards

BV Distinguished

Bar Admissions

New York U.S. District Court for Northern and Western Districts Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
Admitted: 1995

Reviews

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