IDC President's Award

John P. Cunningham

2025
President's Award Recipient

John P. Cunningham of Brown & James, P.C. in Belleville received the Illinois Defense Counsel’s President’s Award presented by the 2024-2025 IDC President Denise Baker-Seal at the organization’s Annual Meeting, held June 20, 2025.

In presenting the award, Baker-Seal said, “John is one of the most well-respected defense attorneys in the Metro East. He has been defending lawsuits for over 30 years with poise, impeccable legal skill and kindheartedness. He is an accomplished trial lawyer, and I am proud to call him my partner and friend.”

Cunningham responded, “I am very honored to receive the 2025 IDC President’s Award. Receiving an award from Denise, someone I admire greatly, is gratifying but also feels a bit backward. I should be giving Denise an award. Denise has been a blessing to me for which I am truly grateful. I have had the pleasure of working with Denise for 24 years and she has been a great partner and, more importantly, a close friend. Denise has been my right hand and working beside her has made the practice of law so much better than it otherwise would have been. We have travelled together, shared many laughs together, some tears, but never had an argument (because I know Denise is always right). Denise has also been a valuable friend and asset to the IDC. Her inability to say no when asked to help has resulted in numerous commitments and yet Denise manages her overwhelming responsibilities extremely well, and without complaint. Thank you, Denise, for all you have done for me, including this award that I am not sure I deserve.”

Cunningham is a shareholder in the Brown & James Belleville, Ill., office. He has been with the firm his entire career and has tried countless successful trials and appeals in the areas of first-party insurance claims and tort law, including arson and fraud litigation, premises liability, product liability, and automobile litigation. He practices in Illinois and Missouri.

Follow this link to view all Previous President's Award Recipients.