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.
Accomplishments
•Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
•Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America in the fields of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2006-2018)
•Selected by North Carolina Super Lawyers as a Super Lawyer (2008 - 2014)
•Selected for inclusion in the 2014 Super Lawyers Business Edition
Most Recent Posts
News
Bob Sumner Honored with NCADA J. Robert Elster Award for Professional Excellence
Bob Sumner, founding member of Cranfill Sumner LLP, received the prestigious J. Robert Elster Award for Professional Excellence from the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys. The award was presented June 13 during the NCADA 48th Annual Meeting and Seminar in Wilmington....
News
Gina M. Von Oehsen Cleary Named Senior fellow of Litigation Counsel of America
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Gina M. Von Oehsen Cleary has been named a Senior fellow by the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). Cleary is Of Counsel and based in the firm’s Raleigh office....
News
26 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2017
Twenty-six attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2017 (Copyright 2016 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC)....
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28 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2016
Twenty-eight attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2016....
News
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2014 Super Lawyers Business Edition
Cranfill Sumner is proud to announced that nine of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2014 Super Lawyers Business Edition....
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24 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2015
Twenty-four attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America....
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Cranfill Sumner Launches New Identity
New logo kicks off rebranding campaign Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today unveiled a new logo that kicks off a rebranding campaign....
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21 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2014 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List
Cranfill Sumner announced that 21 of its attorneys are selected for inclusion in the 2014 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2014 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
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25 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2014
Cranfill Sumner is proud to announce that 25 of its attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America ....
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24 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected as 2013 North Carolina Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
Ten Cranfill Sumner attorneys were selected as 2013 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 14 Cranfill Sumner attorneys were selected as 2013 North Carolina Rising Stars....
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23 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013 Edition
Twenty-three lawyers from Cranfill Sumner were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013...
Result
Obtained a defense verdict of no negligence in favor of an international antiques and collectibles show producer
BOB SUMNER (Raleigh), LEE POOLE (Charlotte), and JAYE BINGHAM (Raleigh) obtained a defense verdict of no negligence in favor of an international antiques and collectibles show...
News
Cranfill Sumner Lands 17 Attorneys in the Best Lawyers in America 2012 Edition
Cranfill Sumner, one of the largest civil defense firms in North Carolina, announced today that 17 of its attorneys selected The Best Lawyers in America....
