Laura Cunningham, a former attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is a Partner in the Cleveland office of Flannery | Georgalis, where she represents clients in complex litigation, investigations, and regulatory matters. She brings extensive securities enforcement experience and policy insight developed over her decade-long career with the SEC, including her service in the Division of Enforcement and in senior advisory roles. Now, being one of only a handful of former SEC attorneys in the region, Laura is highly sought after by clients facing allegations of securities violations as well as victims of investment fraud.

At the SEC, Laura investigated and litigated potential securities law violations involving corporate executives, public companies, municipal issuers, broker-dealers, and investment advisers. Her work spanned a wide range of issues, including insider trading, broker-dealer and investment adviser registration, Regulation Best Interest, investment adviser fiduciary duties, and other registration and compliance obligations. She regularly collaborated with other SEC Divisions, including the Division of Examinations, and coordinated with criminal authorities, state securities regulators, and FINRA. Additionally, she was selected as part of a small group to design and execute a multi-year training and mentoring program for enforcement staff.

While at the SEC, Laura also served as counsel to Commissioner Caroline A. Crenshaw, advising on significant enforcement actions and key policy matters before the Divisions of Trading and Markets and Corporation Finance. In that role, she advised on rulemaking, registration applications, and requests for exemptive relief, and engaged with market participants, advocacy groups, and legislative staff.

Before entering government service, Laura practiced civil litigation at the Washington, D.C. office of a large international law firm. She represented leading companies in healthcare, technology, government services, and other industries in intellectual property, employment, and commercial disputes. She developed a particular expertise in patent litigation, litigating high-stakes competitor cases in federal court and Section 337 proceedings before the U.S. International Trade Commission.

Laura is sought out by clients for her ability to distill complex issues into clear, persuasive arguments, as well as for her collaborative approach with in-house teams and efficient management of litigation strategy aligned with business objectives.

Education

University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 2009)
University of Michigan (B.A., English Language & Literature, 2006)

Admissions

District of Columbia
not admitted in Ohio

Government Service

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (2016-2026)

Professional Memberships

District of Columbia Bar Association