State Bar of Michigan names new executive director

Peter Cunningham was selected as the sixth executive director of the State Bar of Michigan by the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 21. Cunningham, who previously served as assistant executive director, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the State Bar, implement policies set by the Board of Commissioners and the Representative Assembly, and direct the efforts of State Bar staff in his role as executive director.

His appointment begins March 1. He succeeds Janet Welch, who is retiring.

Cunningham joined the State Bar in 2012 as director of governmental relations and assumed the responsibilities of assistant executive director in 2015. He has an extensive career in public service in Michigan, including serving as chief of staff to the speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives. Immediately prior to coming to the SBM, Cunningham was executive director of the Michigan Campaign for Justice, a nonprofit created to promote improvement in Michigan’s public defense system.  

As assistant executive director, Cunningham has served on the executive leadership team at the State Bar for seven years directly overseeing operations and policy for the State Bar including the organization’s finance, governance, communications, government relations, and research teams.