Lexington's Town Attorney Feted For Pro Bono Work

Lexington Town Council on Monday night recognized Town Attorney Bradford T. Cunningham, who recently was proclaimed the state's top pro bono lawyer for 2011 by the S.C. Bar Association.

The S.C. Bar Pro Bono Award is presented annually to a lawyer who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to volunteer legal services for the poor and disadvantaged. These services ensure that representation is provided to individuals and families in need of free civil legal assistance. 

"This award came quite unexpectedly to me," said Cunningham. "I just did [this] work because I thought it was the right thing to do. I certainly never expected any awards or proclamations."

Cunningham has been the Town Attorney since 2003 and has been a pro bono volunteer since 2004, averaging six or more cases per year. He also accepts pro bono cases on a walk-in basis, drafting wills and powers of attorney and handling real estate and probate issues. 

Cunningham is also very active in the community, Mayor Randy Halfacre remarked, lending his time and efforts to the S.C. Municipal Attorneys Association, International Municipal Attorneys Association, USC Alumni Association, Lexington Youth Football League and Kiwanis Club. He also broadcasts Lexington High School sports on 107.9 WLXM.

Before Monday's Council meeting, Halfacre presented Cunningham a town proclamation recognizing him for his service as a municipal employee and his service to the greater Lexington Community.

In addition to the award, Cunningham received $500 from the state bar, which he donated to the Lexington Police Department's Adopt-A-Cop Program during Monday night's Council meeting.