Crummey Family
Cathryn Crummey ’22 grew up helping her sister Carol Crummey ’13 study for law school courses—and eventually, the bar exam—and watching her father, Colonie Town Justice Peter G. Crummey ’81, preside over one of the Capital Region’s busiest courts. Edward Crummey—Peter’s grandfather—started the Albany Law School legacy upon completion of his studies in 1910.
“It was no surprise to me that I found myself at Albany Law,” Cathryn said. “It was a no-brainer for me to go there because of that legacy I grew up around.”
Each member of the Crummey family has carved their legal path a bit differently. But there are certainly some similarities.
Carol—who now works at longstanding local firm O'Connor, O'Connor, Bresee & First P.C.— recalls one of her first days in law school, when she came across a plaque of the founding members of the co-ed professional fraternity Phi Alpha Delta. Her father was one of them.
“When I saw the plaque I thought, ‘I have to join,’” she said. 
Throughout her time at Albany Law School, Carol participated in several moot court competitions and was the Donna Jo Morse Client Counseling Competition winner in 2013—alongside her now husband Jonathan McCardle ’13.
Having a legacy connection with her father and great-grandfather was already special—Carol and Edward attended Albany Law School almost exactly 100 years apart. Now, seeing her younger sister experience law school has renewed their sisterly bond.
“Cat is one of my four siblings and I can understand Cat’s experience well. It’s especially fun to have this as something we share.” Carol said. “Law school is a different beast. Cat and I can really relate with what it’s like.”
For their father, watching his own family continue to make an impact at Albany Law School has inspired him to become involved as a seasoned alumnus. Judge Crummey is the current president of the law school's National Alumni Association and, by virtue of that position, also serves on the Board of Trustees.
“My connection has only grown stronger in the last 10 to 15 years as my children have had their own Albany Law School experiences,” Judge Crummey said. “My development and connection is even more embedded now that my children have gone here. We’re all growing together and Albany Law School is a major part of that. Albany Law School is not only integral to our family but also integral to the Capital Region as a time honored source of community pride.”
The family also has deep Albany roots. The Crummeys maintained bakeries in Albany during most of the late 1800s. Michael Crummey founded the bakery. Michael’s son Charles continued the family business with his son Edward—until Edward went on to study at Georgetown and then Albany Law.
Edward Crummey moved to New York City upon graduation and worked his way up the ranks at the Long Island Lighting Company. Though the bakery closed in the early 1900s, the family remains nearby. Judge Crummey’s office, where he maintains a general practice, is in downtown Albany just 200 feet from the family bakery location at Beaver and Lodge Streets.
“Even though we were at the same school, getting the same degree, the similarities and differences are still there,” Cathryn said. “I enjoy hearing about the history of the school.”
Though she’s in the early stages of learning, the legacy may continue one day with Carol and Jonathan’s daughter Elizabeth—Peter jokes that he sometimes mentions legal terms hoping they’ll stick.
“There may be some Crummey and McCardle students at Albany Law in the future,” he said.
Taking an early interest in the law fostered a fascination that would later be realized—especially in Carol and Cathryn’s cases. In 2013, when Carol was preparing for a criminal law exam and later for the bar exam, she brought Cathryn along to help quiz her on terminology. Watching her then-teenage sister learn the terms for the first time helped them stick, Carol recalled.
“I remember the term mens rea and I helped Carol come up with a trick to remember it,” Cathryn said. “Then when I was criminal law this year, when we got to mens rea, it was like a full circle moment.”