Kenneth L. Cunniff

Ken has experience in all fields of litigation, dispute resolution, and corporate investigation. As a federal trial lawyer, he argued a landmark case in the United States Supreme Court and has argued cases in the United States Court of Appeals for numerous circuits. He has also argued cases in the Illinois Supreme Court and numerous state appellate courts. Ken has tried over 125 jury trials to verdict in federal and state court. He currently serves as Of Counsel at Amundsen Davis.

On behalf of public and private clients, Ken’s current practice focuses on complex civil and criminal matters involving government investigations, health care fraud, insider trading, white collar criminal defense, maritime claims, and regulatory compliance. With over forty-five years of experience in government investigations, Ken has a big-picture perspective that enables him to advise clients on strategies to stay ahead of the risks they face. He provides an objective assessment of the severity of potential violations and the likely response from government investigators and prosecutors.

Criminal defense: As a criminal defense attorney, Ken has successfully handled sensitive and complex government investigations including cases involving RICO, health care fraud and abuse, antitrust, public corruption, bank fraud, money laundering, and mail and wire fraud. He has also achieved positive results in defending clients in high profile investigations and cases involving insider trading fraud, securities violations, tax fraud, official misconduct, violations of the Environmental Protection Act, embezzlement, obstruction of justice, perjury, and extortion.

Civil litigation: Ken has extensive experience litigating complex cases involving medical negligence claims, attorney malpractice claims, psychiatric malpractice claims, products liability, insurance disputes, and maritime claims. He has also successfully represented attorneys before the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

Ken is on the faculty of the Illinois Professional Responsibility Institute of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois. Ken is also an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. He has taught comparative trial advocacy to Irish barristers at The King’s Inn and transnational legal negotiations to Irish solicitors at the Incorporated Law Society in Dublin, Ireland.

Ken was Associate Director for The Center for Advocacy and an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, where he taught various trial, arbitration and counseling, and negotiation classes. He taught classes for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and has lectured on trial, appellate practice and dispute resolution at numerous law schools and bar associations. He has been elected to the Defender Service Advisory Group for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Ken has been reappointed to the National Criminal Justice Act Panel as a Representative for the Northern District of Illinois for a three year term.