Emily Cunningham

Emily has extensive experience working with families and individuals in challenging circumstances from all walks of life. In law school, she organized multiple trips to the U.S. southern border to provide pro-bono legal assistance to families seeking asylum. From 2020-2021 she clerked for the Federal Public Defenders in Portland, where she developed strong legal research and writing skills as well as an appreciation for the importance of client-centered work. Emily’s strong analytical skills are equally matched by her interpersonal skills. She makes sure that her clients understand the legal process so that they can make the best decisions for themselves and their loved ones by maintaining a voice in the outcomes. As a research fellow for the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Emily worked to come up with solutions to international-scale problems. This big picture mindset informs Emily’s philosophy in her family law practice. Whether it is a divorce or a custody dispute, Emily always seeks to ensure that the best interests of all those impacted are served through creative and efficient problem-solving. By maintaining this solution-oriented perspective, Emily is able to provide cost-effective services that avoid the harmful effects of excessive litigation and leaves families in the best position to move forward with dignity. Emily joined Forward Legal Services as an attorney in 2021 upon graduating from the University of Oregon Law. Her choice to focus on family law was a natural outgrowth of her experiences during her training. Emily believes there is a better way to navigate the legal system as families work through difficult changes. Her practice areas include divorce mediation, collaborative and traditional divorce and legal separation, paternity, guardianships, child custody and placement, child support, alimony/maintenance, same-sex divorces, step-parent adoptions, pre and post nuptial agreements, and grandparent visitation rights. Prior to law school, Emily lived and taught English in Santa Marta, Colombia and traveled extensively throughout South America. A Madison native and UW-Madison alumni, she is thrilled to finally return “home”. When she isn’t advocating for her clients, Emily loves to read Kurt Vonnegut and take walks around the neighborhood with her dog, Ren. She is also fluent in Spanish.