Rachel Holt

RACHEL HOLT

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY, REBENACK ARONOW & MASCOLO, L.L.P.

Class of 2022 BEQ Pride LGBTQ Leader Under 40
(She, Her) is 31

What do you believe is your responsibility to this moment in history?

My responsibility is to change the narrative. It is my intention to ensure that members of the LGBTQ+ community know that one of their own is there to empower them, generally, but also in my profession. Historically, personal injury trial lawyers are straight white men. While women, racial minorities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community have demanded seats at the table, our progress has been limited. I have worked to create professional committees, commissions, and support networks to advance our interests. The only way to change the narrative is to become part of the narrative and have others join me.

Access and visibility of LGBTQ+ folks in the New Jersey legal profession and justice system is a top priority for Rachel Holt. She is the first openly lesbian attorney at the personal injury firm of Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo, L.L.P.. This firm is composed of eight other attorneys who identify as straight and male. Rachel is also the first openly lesbian executive committee member of the Middlesex County, NJ Bar Association (MCBA) and will be the first lesbian president of that association in approximately five years time. Rachel also co-founded the first LGBTQ+ section of the MCBA so members can create business and personal connections with others in the Queer community. One of Rachel’s primary professional goals is to create a space that is approachable and comfortable for her peers and clients in the LGBTQ+ community, enabling her to help those in need as best she can. 

Rachel hopes there will be an increase in LGBTQ+ visibility in professional fields historically occupied and run by straight men. Her dream is elimination of struggle, feelings of inferiority or imposter syndrome among LGBTQ+ youth of tomorrow in their chosen professions. Rachel believes having role models and mentors of diverse backgrounds and experiences will help normalize having diverse people in prominent roles and she is doing her part now.