Robert W. Sumner (Bob) started practicing personal injury defense litigation in North Carolina in 1970. 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 was a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He maintained an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell and was listed annually in Best Lawyers in America ® and North Carolina Super Lawyers®.
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 he is Of Counsel to the firm.