Robert W. Sumner (Bob) went inactive effective in 2019 and is officially a Retired Member of the North Carolina State Bar. Bob started practicing personal injury defense litigation in North Carolina in 1970. Prior to retirement, he tried over 100 jury trials to conclusion with a very high number of successful outcomes. He handled numerous wrongful death cases and cases involving catastrophic brain and spinal cord injuries. His cases involved a wide range of activities: tractor/trailer accidents; workplace accidents; premises liability issues; fires and explosions; and product liability claims.
Bob served as a Law Clerk at the North Carolina Supreme Court. He served as Chair of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Litigation Section. He has served as Chair of the North Carolina State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization. He served on the Board of Directors of the Wake County Bar Association.
Bob was a founding member of the firm. He retired from the firm’s partnership in 2012 and served in an Of Counsel role through 2014.
