McKay Cunningham

McKay Cunningham is a Professor and the Director of Graduate Initiatives at the College of Idaho, where he also serves as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO). With over 13 years of experience as a tenured law professor at institutions including Concordia Law School and the University of Idaho, he specializes in constitutional and property law. His professional background includes nine years in legal practice, featuring a clerkship at the Eleventh Circuit Federal Court of Appeals, private practice in Texas, and a role as Staff Attorney for the Texas Supreme Court.

Education:

• J.D., Baylor Law School (2000)
• B.A., English Literature and Philosophy, Baylor University (1997)

Research Focus:

Cunningham's scholarship centers on pressing legal and societal issues, particularly constitutional law, civil rights, and digital privacy. His interdisciplinary research examines representational democracy, affirmative action, reproductive rights, and the impact of technology on legal sovereignty. Recent work explores algorithmic governance in elections, international data regulation, and evolving privacy frameworks in the Internet of Things era.

Publications Overview:

His 12 law review articles demonstrate sustained examination of privacy law evolution, constitutional tensions in governance, and property rights intersections. Earlier publications addressed aviation liability and disability accommodations in education. A consistent theme across his work is the reconciliation of traditional legal doctrines with emerging technological and global challenges.

Professional Engagement:

Beyond academia, Cunningham actively contributes to public discourse through NPR/PBS commentary on constitutional matters, legislative testimony in Idaho, and op-eds in local media. This bridges his scholarly expertise with practical policy impact.