Judy Cunnigham Will Retire From Oakland County

Judy Cunningham, Oakland County's first female corporation counsel, officially announced she will retire this month, ending more than 30 years of service to county residents.

The Bloomfield Hills resident started as a part-time summer law clerk with the county in 1980 until she completed her law degree and She joined the county full time in 1983 as deputy circuit court administrator. Three decades later, she oversees 11 attorneys that take 1,250 assignments each year that cover all aspects of the law that pertain to county business.

Under her direction, the department shifted business practices to maximize efficiency, and now handles 90 percent of all county lawsuits in-house, rather than costing taxpayer's legal fees four special attorneys. She also steered the county through landmark legal victories such as the recovery of transfer taxes on deeds from the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). The lawsuit against the mortgage giants was the first of its kind across the country and expected to bring millions of dollars back to Oakland County

"We have taken some risks in these matters, but they have been worth the effort," said Cunningham, whom Patterson appointed in 1999.

She said she's also proud of her efforts to mentor young attorneys and staff, while largely keeping out of the political fray.

"I have often repeated to the commissioners, 'I’m not the Republicans’ lawyer, and I’m not the Democrats’ lawyer – I’m the County’s lawyer,'" she said. "So while I’ve had to do some unpopular things as Corporation Counsel, I think they have been the right moves and the correct approaches for the County.

In June, Cunningham became the seventh woman and first sitting government official elected president of the Oakland County Bar Association.

Her immediate plans include finishing her term as OCBA president and then focusing on her grandparenting skills for a 3-year-old granddaughter and another one on the way in September.

Cunningham said she's has some attractive offers from firms about continuing her legal career, but she intends to work only part time. Her announcement coincided with the retirement of Public Services Director Michael Zehnder. As director of public services, Zehnder’s responsibilities included managing six divisions of county government: Animal Control Division, Circuit Court Probation Division, Community Corrections Division, the Medical Examiner’s Office, Michigan State University Cooperative Extension, and Veterans’ Services Division. He joined Patterson's administration in 1993, and  plans to retire in Kentucky with his wife, a news release stated.

“Both Mike and Judy have been among my most effective managers and exemplary members of my administration,” Patterson said in a news release. “They will be terribly missed. I wish them well.”

He has not named a successor for either position.