Catherine A. Cunningham

Director
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Catherine A. Cunningham

Director

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Catherine has been consistently recognized as one of the most effective and pragmatic attorneys in Ohio on matters involving real estate development, redevelopment, tax appeals, zoning, and land use, including recent distinction as “Lawyer of the Year” for zoning matters in Columbus by The Best Lawyers in America.

She leverages four decades of experience and relationship-building to advise clients as they navigate the state and municipal government landscape, including through administrative and legislative hearings, planning commission meetings, boards of zoning appeals, and other complex political proceedings. 

Zoning, Land Use, Annexation + Real Estate Development

Catherine is well known for her work in the areas of zoning, land use and annexation. She has decades of experience in associated real estate matters, which includes real estate transactions, platting, public and private improvements, and more, and has also represented clients in a variety of other development issues, such as joint economic development districts and zones, cooperative economic development agreements, and annexation agreements.

Administrative Law + Litigation

Catherine regularly represents clients before local and regional planning commissions, boards of zoning appeals, county commissioners, and village and city councils in both administrative and legislative hearings. She has practiced extensively in the litigation of administrative appeals and original actions arising from all aspects of annexation, zoning, and real estate, including several cases in the Supreme Court of Ohio.

State + Local Tax, Public Law, and Government + Legislative Affairs

Catherine advocates for clients on matters of financial and tax incentives in connection with development, such as tax increment financing, community reinvestment areas and enterprise zones. She counsels individuals and commercial entities on tax valuations and practices before county boards of revision, the state board of tax appeals, and courts in valuation matters.

  • The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (J.D., 1983)
  • Allegheny College (B.A., 1980)

  • Ohio

  • Columbus Bar Association, member
  • Ohio State Bar Association, member
  • City of Hilliard Housing Council, member
  • Ohio Elections Commission, chair (2005-2006), commissioner (2002-2007, 2017-2021)
  • Franklin County Tax Incentive Review Council (2002-2007)
  • Supreme Court of Ohio Joint Task Force on Gender Fairness (1990-1995)

  • Recognized as a Band 1 attorney in Zoning/Land Use by Chambers USA, 2020-2022
  • Recognized in Columbus CEO, Top Lawyers, 2022-2025
  • Recognized as an Ohio Super Lawyer in the areas of Land Use, Zoning and Real Estate, 2012-2014, 2018-2024
  • Selected as “Lawyer of the Year” in Columbus in the area of Land Use & Zoning Law by The Best Lawyers in America®, 2020-2021, 2018, 2012
  • Recognized as a Band 2 attorney in Zoning/Land Use by Chambers USA, 2016-2019
  • Recognized as a Top Lawyer in Central Ohio in Land Use and Zoning Law by Columbus Business First, 2009-2012
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Recipient of the Finnegan Foundation Award for state government (Pennsylvania, 1980)
  • Martindale-Hubbell Rating of AV Preeminent®

  • Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council, Board of Directors
  • Hickory Chase New Community Authority, Trustee
  • Hilliard Housing Council, Member
  • Ohio Elections Commission, Commissioner
  • Assistant Girl Scout Leader, Troop 1248, Seal of Ohio Council, 2004-2014

Publications + Presentations

Presentation

Changing Jurisdictions Through Annexation and Road Vacation

2024 CCAO CEAO Winter Conference
publication

Annexations in Ohio

Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association 2019 Winter Municipal Civil Law Seminar