Page 29 - Pierce County Lawyer - July August 2025

ATTORNEY JOHN CUMMINGS
Named 2025 City of Destiny
Award Winner for Adult Leadership
By Elizabeth Johnson
Honoring Quiet Impact and
Community Leadership
The Tacoma legal community has yet
another reason to be proud. Attorney
and TPCBA Trustee John Cummings
has been named the 2025 City of Destiny
Award recipient for Adult Leadership.
Presented by the City of Tacoma through
its Events and Recognitions Committee
(CERC), this award honors extraordinary
volunteers who improve life in Tacoma—
often behind the scenes, without fanfare,
and without compensation.
"The City of Destiny Awards
are a powerful reminder
that everyday acts of service
can transform an entire
city," said Tim Fairley, CERC
board member.
This year, the honor goes to someone
whose impact reaches across
courtrooms, clinics, and communities.
pro tempore judge across
the county. His legal
outreach, especially for
those navigating identity
document changes or
denied access to justice,
has become a model for
service-driven lawyering.
“It made me feel
an enormous
amount of
gratitude,” he
reflected. “No one
wins a leadership
award without
the people
around them.”
A Community-Led
Recognition Process
Building Access and Belonging
—One Clinic at a Time
John’s career and character have long
embodied the City of Destiny values:
integrity, compassion, humility, and
resilience. He has created legal clinics for
transgender and nonbinary individuals,
mentored young attorneys, supported
civic education, served on nonprofit
boards, coached mock trial, and hosted
international exchange students—all
while practicing law and serving as a
The City of Destiny Awards are chosen
by a diverse volunteer committee made
up of artists, activists, educators, business
leaders, and community organizers from
across Tacoma reviews each nomination.
Tacoma City Council Member Sarah
Rumbaugh emphasized that this award
isn’t just about individual recognition—
it’s about celebrating the values that
define Tacoma.
“What makes Tacoma special
is the people who live here
and care about it,” she said.
“The City of Destiny Award
promotes our values as a City.”
The CERC ensures the honorees
represent a broad range of volunteer
efforts—from nonprofit leaders and
neighborhood organizers to those
planting trees or sharing lived experience
through storytelling. The common
thread: service without compensation
and impact without ego.
Legal services are often out of reach
due to cost, complexity, and lack of
awareness. Vulnerable populations—
including low-income residents,
LGBTQ+ individuals, and immigrants—
often face systemic barriers. Legal
volunteers clarify processes, protect
rights, and empower clients to navigate
systems with confidence and dignity.
They break down barriers, offer advocacy
in intimidating settings, and ensure
every voice is heard—reminding us that
justice should not be a privilege, but a
shared community value.
John’s work is a reminder of what’s
possible when lawyers use their skills not
only for clients—but for community. His
example reminds us that, when attorneys
choose service, they don’t just practice
law—they practice equity, healing, and
hope.
Elizabeth Johnson is the 2025 President
of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar
Association. She has been in practice since
2022 and is a partner at Puget Sound
Estate Law, PLLC in Tacoma. Her practice
focuses on Elder, Estate Planning, Probate,
Wills, Guardianships and LGBTQ.
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