Kathryn M. Cunningham

Wethersfield, CT Law Firm

Attorney Cunningham grew up in Ellington and currently resides in West Hartford.  Attorney Cunningham handles personal injury and litigation matters throughout the State of Connecticut, including clients in Ellington, Tolland, West Hartford, Farmington, Avon, Hartford County,New Haven County, Middlesex County, New London County and Litchfield County.

Kathryn M. Cunningham Attorney Cunningham has been a member of the Connecticut bar for 19 years. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University in 1986 and a Masters degree from Trinity College in 1991, before graduating from the University Of Connecticut School Of Law with her Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1995, where she also received the American Jurisprudence Award for Excellence in Administrative Law. Since joining the firm in 1995, Attorney Cunningham’s practice has concentrated in the litigation of tort claims involving construction accidents, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability and medical malpractice. She has successfully defended numerous employment discrimination claims brought in both the Superior Court and before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. A member of the Appellate Practice Group, Attorney Cunningham has also researched and drafted numerous appellate motions and briefs. Attorney Cunningham has received a BV rating from Martindale-Hubbell (High to Very High legal ability rating and Very High general ethical standards rating). She is a member of the Hartford County and Connecticut Bar Associations.

Recognition

West Hartford Jackson O’Keefe partner Kathryn M. Cunningham obtains favorable jury verdict in personal injury action.

On May 15, 2012 Attorney Cunningham obtained a favorable jury verdict at the Hartford Superior Court. The jury deliberated for approximately 50 minutes prior to returning its verdict for Attorney Cunningham’s client. The case arose out of a falldown that occurred on August 15, 2006 at approximately 6:00 p.m. on a public street. The plaintiff alleged that she was walking “in the exercise of reasonable care” on the sidewalk when she “was caused to trip and fall due to the dangerous and/or defective condition” of the sidewalk. She claimed that there was an “irregular walking surface and/or a discrepancy in the heights of the brick sidewalk and curbing” which caused her to fall. She claimed to have sustained various injuries as a result of her fall.

“The jury found that the plaintiff had not established that the sidewalk was defective, and that was the end of its inquiry,” said Cunningham. “I am happy that the jury brought its common sense to the table in assessing the situation. Many sidewalks are not perfect in this state due to the varying weather conditions and other factors. The law only requires reasonable safety, and requires that pedestrians keep a look out and use reasonable care as they walk.”

The firm congratulates Attorney Cunningham on this victory.

In September 2021, Attorney Cunningham obtained a defendant’s verdict in an employment discrimination case in which the plaintiff claimed to have been sexually harassed by a supervisor.  The plaintiff sought to hold the employer liable for the supervisor’s harassment.  The jury rejected the plaintiff’s claim and found for the defendant employer.

Reported Cases

Millbrook Owners Ass’n, Inc. v. Hamilton Standard, 257 Conn. (2001); Washington v. Christie, 58 Conn. App. 96, cert. denied, 254 Conn. 906 (2000); Edwards v. Tardif, 240 Conn. 610 (1997); Martin v. Town of Plainville, 240 Conn. 105 (1997); Doe v. Marselle, Doe v. Marselle, 38 Conn. App. 360, rev’d, 236 Conn. 845 (1996).