Michael Cunningham
Town Manager Jim Feeney has appointed Michael Cunningham as Arlington’s new town counsel, as of Monday, Nov. 13.
The town counsel serves as the chief legal officer of the town, prosecutes and defends all litigation and provides legal representation and advice to the town manager, the Select Board and all other officials, departments and commissions, a town news release said.
“Arlington is an engaged community, from its leadership team to the many volunteers that make Arlington work," said Cunningham. “I look forward to this new opportunity.”
“Michael’s experience in municipal law, negotiation, litigation and consensus building make him an ideal fit for this role,” said Feeney. “As Arlington’s deputy town counsel, he has already proven himself to be a collaborative partner in all his interactions that delivers quality results. His institutional knowledge is invaluable."
Before his new role, Cunningham served as Arlington’s deputy town counsel/workers’ compensation agent starting in 2020 and he provided legal advice and ethics training, prepared warrant articles for Town Meeting,and reviewed legal contracts for the town. He also oversaw the Town’s Workers’ Compensation and Line of Duty programs and prosecuted and defended the town’s matters in the Division of Industrial Accidents.
According to Arlington's assistant director of human resources, Claire Roberts, Cunningham is set to earn an annual salary of $148,160 in his new position.
Cunningham has more than 20 years of experience working as an attorney. He holds a bachelor of arts in history from the College of Holy Cross and a juris doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law. He is a member of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the U.S. District Court (Massachusetts District).
Cunningham's predecessor as town counsel was Doug Heim, who left in early October after 10 years of service to work in a similar capacity in another municipality.
This news announcement was published Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, based on information from Joan Roman and Claire Roberts of the Town of Arlington.
