Pearson K. Cunningham

Pearson Cunningham is a partner in our Atlanta office, practicing primarily in our appellate and governmental liability groups.

Through his work in HBS’ governmental liability group, Pearson has gained valuable experience defending local governments and their employees in a wide variety of claims under federal and state law. Stemming from this experience and the effective motion practice entailed, Pearson has honed his appellate advocacy skills. He has worked on numerous cases before state and federal appellate courts and has argued before the Supreme Court of Georgia and the Court of Appeals of Georgia.

A native of Covington, Georgia, Pearson received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia. After serving as a legislative aide for State Representative Barry Fleming, Pearson went on to earn his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the Georgia State University College of Law.

During law school, he served as the Legislation Editor for the Georgia State University Law Review in which he supervised and edited the Law Review’s annual publication of the “Peach Sheets,” which detailed the legislative history for important pieces of legislation from the Georgia General Assembly. Pearson was also an active member of the College of Law’s Moot Court Board and gained valuable experience clerking for then-Judge Ellington on the Court of Appeals of Georgia.

Presentations

•Legal Climate Panel
Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia, Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference; February 8, 2023

Publications

•Whose Precedents Count for Qualified Immunity?
HBS Governmental Liability Blog; December 28, 2021
•Local Government
Mercer Law Review, December 2022
•Local Government
Mercer Law Review, December 2021
•Local Government Law
Mercer Law Review, December 2020

Recognition

•Top Lawyers , Appellate Practice, GaBiz Magazine, 2026
•Georgia Rising Star , Super Lawyers, 2025

In the Press

HBS Attorneys Recognized in 2026 Georgia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists

February 16, 2026

HBS is excited to announce that nine attorneys have been recognized on the 2026 Georgia Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list.