Cary is an alumnus of the Arizona State University College of Law, Class of 1995. He began his legal career as a Deputy Public Defender with the Maricopa County Public Defenders Office in Phoenix, from 1995 to 1997. Cary worked as a Staff Attorney with the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in San Francisco, and as an associate attorney with the Phoenix office of Streich Lang (now Quarles & Brady) in the white collar crimes unit. Cary was also a Deputy County Attorney in the Civil Division of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office from 1999 to 2002.

In 2002, Cary opened The Law Office of Cary L. Lackey, P.C., where he primarily practiced criminal defense in city, state, and federal courts throughout Arizona. In 2018, Cary joined the Tucson-based law firm of Farhang & Medcoff as of counsel, where he practiced criminal defense. Cary also practiced plaintiff’s personal injury law, as well as administrative law (professional license matters). Cary is also a certified contract advisor (agent) with the Canadian Football League Players’ Association.

From March 2021 to October 2025, Cary worked at the Maricopa County Office of the Public Advocate in Phoenix, where he practiced mental health and probate law, representing indigent clients facing Court Ordered Treatment and Evaluation Hearings.

In November 2025, Cary rejoined the Civil Division of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, where he currently practices in the Litigation Group.

Cary grew up in Phoenix where he attended and graduated from South Mountain High School. Cary graduated with a B.A. in Economics/Business Administration from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, Class of 1989.

Cary was initiated into the Mu Eta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on the campus of Arizona State University on December 3, 1983 at 11:11 p.m. He has been a member of the Alpha Nu Chapter (Drake University), Zeta Kappa Lambda Chapter (Des Moines, Iowa Alumni Chapter), Delta Tau Lambda Chapter (Phoenix, Arizona Alumni Chapter) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Cary is former Legal Counsel for the Western Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and is a Life Member of the Fraternity.

Cary is married to his beautiful wife, Ina, and is a proud father to two grown children, as well as a step-father to Ina’s two adult sons.