Terence “Terry” Cushing is an experienced attorney with nearly two decades of work across litigation and corporate law.

He currently serves as Senior Corporate Counsel at Republic Services, a Fortune 300 company operating in environmental services, recycling, and waste management. His career reflects steady progress, broad expertise, and a practical leadership style.

Born in Schenectady, New York and raised in Exton, Pennsylvania, Terry grew up in a household that valued discipline and learning. His father worked as a chemical engineer before moving into environmental consulting, an influence that later shaped Terry’s interest in regulated industries. Sports also played a key role in his early life. He played football and later joined a ski club, experiences that taught him focus, resilience, and balance.

Terry earned a degree in International Affairs from George Washington University in 1996. He later completed his law degree at Pennsylvania State University in 2003 and passed the Arizona bar that same year. He is also licensed to practise law in Nevada and Texas.

He began his career as a federal law clerk to Judge Earl H. Carroll in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. From there, he built a strong litigation practice at leading law firms, handling product liability, commercial disputes, medical malpractice, and personal injury matters. He became a partner at Jennings Strouss in 2011 and later spent more than eleven years as a partner at Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer.

Today, Terry applies his litigation background to corporate strategy, risk management, and compliance. He is known for clear judgement, steady leadership, and a long-term view of legal decision-making.

An Interview with Terence Cushing

Q: Let’s start at the beginning. What first drew you towards law?

I was interested in how systems work. I studied International Affairs, so I was always looking at rules, power, and decision-making. Law felt like a practical way to apply that thinking.

Q: How did your early life shape your career approach?

Sports had a big influence. Football and skiing taught me discipline and focus. Skiing especially taught me how to stay calm when conditions change. That mindset has helped me throughout my career.

Q: Your first role was a federal clerkship. What did that teach you?

Clerking for Judge Earl H. Carroll taught me precision. Every word matters. You also learn to see cases from the court’s perspective, which changes how you think as a lawyer.

Q: You spent many years in private practice. What stands out from that period?

The variety. I worked on product liability, medical malpractice, commercial litigation, and more. Each case required learning new technical details. That keeps you sharp.

Q: You became a partner relatively early. What changed at that stage?

Your responsibility expands. You’re not just handling cases. You’re managing people, client relationships, and strategy. Leadership becomes part of the job.

Q: You later spent over a decade at Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer. What did that experience give you?

It taught me scale. I built a large client base and managed teams of associates and paralegals. It required consistency and trust.

Q: Why did you decide to move in-house?

I wanted to focus on prevention rather than reaction. In a corporate role, you help shape decisions early instead of stepping in after problems arise.

Q: How does your litigation background help you as corporate counsel?

I understand where things can go wrong. That helps me ask better questions and spot risks earlier.

Q: What is the biggest change you’ve seen in the legal industry?

Complexity. Regulations and expectations keep growing. Clear communication is more important than ever.

Q: How do you maintain balance outside of work?

Weightlifting helps. It reminds me that progress comes from steady effort, not shortcuts.

Q: What guides your leadership style today?

Clarity, preparation, and respect for people’s time. Good decisions come from good habits.

Read more:
Lessons from a Legal Career: A Q&A with Terence Cushing