NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL EVENT

2008 Going Green Conference: Building, Technology & Practices

Thursday, October 9, 2008, 7:30-11:45 a.m., Doubletree Hotel, Rohnert Park

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: Teresa Cunningham: Napa attorney had benefit of role models early in life

NAPA – It may have been her surroundings and the people in them that led Napa attorney Teresa Cunningham to a life in the courtroom, but it was a love of helping others that cemented her dedication to the industry that 20 years later has her at the top of the game.

“I was fortunate enough to grow up in an area where I had a lot of people practicing law who inspired me,” she said.

“In my neighborhood I had three neighbors that were assistant U.S. attorneys, and one eventually became a Marin County superior court judge.”

From a very early age, Teresa recalls an immediate attraction to stories of courtroom drama, and she committed to the profession at an unusually early age.

“By eighth grade, I had made up my mind,” she said.

She graduated with a degree in English from U.C. Davis, receiving high honors. After briefly considering a career related to her undergraduate studies, ultimately her fascination with law and litigation won out, despite the enormous hurdle of law school and passing bar examinations.

Teresa eventually received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. After passing the bar exams, she was admitted in 1988 to the California State Bar; the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California; and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.

“I received a lot of help and support from a mentor and tutor. The approach just clicked, and to this day – 20 years later – I send her an anniversary card to commemorate passing the bar.”

Even before receiving her credentials, Teresa dove into her profession, working nights and weekends filling several roles at a small San Francisco insurance defense firm. Then after passing the bar, she started full time and rose in the ranks from a clerk to associate to the only female among five partners.

“Like any attorney, I faced challenges by clients about particular skills or, in some cases, distrust because of gender. You have to rise above that, deliver the results and trust that the client will be satisfied,” she said.

She remained with the firm for more than 10 years, testing her footing and learning the positives and negatives of the trade.

“The first years of practice were thrilling but difficult. I was able to gain first-hand experience in handling cases as well as numerous trials and related proceedings through baptism by fire,” she said. “I enjoy the courtroom experience, but it is not for the light of heart. You do not eat or sleep much, and you are constantly worried about the minute details. However, being in the courtroom and having the ability to advocate for your client and their case is a sure adrenaline rush.”

During the time with her first law firm, the Marin County-native learned the foundational principles and skills of the bench and trial and courtroom work. But in 1998, she decided to challenge her herself and take her career in a new direction, returning to her North Bay roots by joining Napa-based practice Gaw Van Male.

“We counsel clients on a wide variety of employment matters, including pre-hire procedures, performance issues, separation and post-separation matters. It seemed to be a natural progression from my general skills to assist these California employers with the daunting task of addressing various case and statutory compliance requirements,” she said. “This area of law is constantly evolving. … Only a few local attorneys also focus in this practice area, but [it] has grown in the Bay Area.”

Even with unceasing adjustments to labor statutes and their interpretations, Teresa admitted that her biggest challenge might be outside the courtroom.

“The toughest challenge for a working mom is balancing clients and family. It is challenging, and it’s not always a perfect science, but I have a lot of support,” she said.

She and her husband, Mark Gardner, have two children – Kaitlyn, 8, and Jared, 5. Though she has a busy practice, she never forgets family as a priority.

“I am blessed to have wonderful parents as role models, who each demonstrated loyalty to their employer and dedication to their respective professions but never forgot the value of family. That’s what my husband and I strive to achieve,” she said.

Teresa also serves on the board of directors and as chair of the Committee on Directors for Legal Aid of Napa Valley, where she also volunteers as a liaison and provides pro bono work.

In addition, she is the vice president of the Napa Solano Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Sexual Assault Response Team, which provides four nurse examiners who respond to gather evidence and give support to victims of sexual assault.