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Madison County Prosecuting Attorney
State of Indiana
Rodney Cummings has seen both sides of the law. He spent much of his childhood in orphanages and foster homes and in 1973 was convicted of robbery for stealing a coin collection, earning him three years of probation. Determined to turn his life around, Cummings was mentored by police officers at the Anderson Police Athletic League, becoming a formidable amateur boxer and briefly fighting professionally. In 1979, he was pardoned by Gov. Otis Bowen and joined the Anderson Police Department the following year. “I regularly worked alongside prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges,” Cummings said. “Realizing that I lacked their depth of legal knowledge and understanding, I decided to pursue a law degree, a decision that may have been the best I ever made.” While working full time, he completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, earned a law degree and graduated from the Indianapolis Police Department Criminal Investigations Schools. In 1994, he made national headlines when he was elected to the office of Madison County Prosecutor, defeating incumbent William F. Lawler Jr. — the man who had prosecuted him 21 years before. Cummings has since been elected to seven terms.
Givebacks: board of directors, National District Attorneys Association; board of directors, Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council; past president, Indiana Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; former head boxing coach, Indiana Golden Gloves 2005 National Championship Team; mentor to at-risk youth
First job: Gas station attendant. “In those days, the attendant pumped the gasoline, checked the oil level and cleaned the windshields,” Cummings said.
Mentors: Superior Court Judge Dennis Carroll. “He tutored me through my first year of law school and guided me through the early stages of my legal career, much like a residency. When I became a candidate for prosecutor, he provided political advice that helped me navigate a treacherous political environment.”
Lessons learned: “One’s past and early disadvantages do not have to define one’s purpose,” he said. “Determination and redemption can become a source of leadership.”
Important traits: “A good lawyer is someone who thoroughly knows the law and procedure, is prepared and determined, is an effective communicator, fights hard for the client, and never compromises integrity just to win.”
Advice: “Find a practice that stirs your passion. Study the law deeply and master the rules of procedure. Be the best-prepared lawyer in the room. Seek out a quality mentor and learn from their experience. Never compromise your integrity, no matter the pressure. Hone your trial advocacy skills so you can speak with clarity and confidence. And find a life outside the law.”
Favorite de-stressors: spending time on his boat on Geist Reservoir•
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