When University of Pittsburgh School of Law grad Carey Cummings accepted a position in May 2013 with Mintzer, Sarowitz, Zeris, Levda and Meyers LLP, a regional insurance defense law firm, little did she know how supportive they would be of her. The firm, with an office in downtown Pittsburgh, not only supports LGBT rights but more importantly encourages Carey’s involvement and leadership with the LGBT committee at the Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA).
The LGBT committee of the ACBA includes 20-30 lawyers who came together in order to form the committee. While a number of bar associations across the country already had LGBT committees in place, she was pleased that its formation in Pittsburgh wasn’t met with any opposition. The committee was accepted by the Board of Governors in April of 2012.
While Carey may lead the LGBT committee at the ACBA, she wasn’t always open about her sexuality at work. Being out wasn’t always an option, but thankfully her fellow attorneys pushed to have diverse attorneys. “I had to do a lot of thinking, and it took some time, but when I made the decision to come out at work, I was surprised and humbled by the response.” She added “I’m in great company as the Pittsburgh legal community has numerous men and women who have helped to make it easier”.
The LGBT committee at the ACBA is very politically active and follows legislations and court decisions to advance LGBT equality.
As an out and proud attorney, she and other members of the LGBT committee at the ACBA are also working on providing assistance for those to be the same.
Currently, while there is a lawyer referral service available to consumers, there is no category for the LGBT community. This is something that Carey and the board are working on to create in addition to mentoring and outreach for current law students. “We have a great group of diverse attorneys that are honest, open and out who will speak to their own level of comfort which may help them be true to themselves.” But, it is important to note that Carey doesn’t judge those who aren’t comfortable coming out. It is a choice, a personal decision and she respects their decision.
Carey said “for those literally coming out into the workforce, if you know you want to be out, an important question to ask to a prospective employer is if they offer domestic partnership benefits. If so, it may be easier to open up. Be not committed to the response, but the purpose.”
In addition to being a lawyer and an LGBT activist, Carey is also a wife and mother to a 13 year old son. She has been with her wife since 2006 and they married in Massachusetts in 2010. Both families attended their wedding ceremony, and their son isn’t embarrassed by the fact that he has two moms…he is a typical teenager embarrassed of anything mom related.
Thank you Carey for your involvement and leadership with the LGBT Committee of the ACBA, and for being true and honest to yourself while passing the wisdom on to others. You’ve certainly raised the bar for your predecessors!
