Practice Areas
Education
- B.A., English, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1999
- J.D., University of South Carolina, 2002; Articles Editor, South Carolina Environmental Law Journal; Member, Moot Court Bar
Bar & Court Admissions
- South Carolina, 2003
- North Carolina, 2002
- United States District Court, District of South Carolina
- United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
Robert E. Sumner, IV
Mr. Sumner is a civil litigator who represents a variety of clients including professionals, businesses, property owners, vessel owners, manufacturers, and builders. Mr. Sumner has tried cases in state and federal courts in North and South Carolina.
Client Services:
- Pre-litigation consulting and negotiation
- Full-service litigation representation
Representative Cases:
Toomer v. Weeks; 2:07-CV-03458-CWH; March 1, 2010
Co-trial counsel for Defendant vessel owner in a three-day bench trial in the US District Court in the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division in Admiralty. Plaintiff, a Jones Act seaman, sought damages for injuries allegedly suffered while working on board a tug boat.
Davison v. Scaffe; 2008-CP-08-130; June 5, 2009*
Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of Wells Fargo Bank in a bench trial in the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas. Plaintiff sought damages for Wachovia's failure to stop payment on a certified check under Articles 3 and 4 of the Uniform Commercial Code.
South Carolina Federal Credit Union v. Higgins, et al.; 06-CP-10-4730; December 9, 2008*
Obtained a directed verdict in favor of SCFCU for the full amount of damages sought plus attorney's fees in a 4-day jury trial in the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas. SCFCU sought damages for the defendants' breach of a dealership agreement and secured financing agreement. This matter is currently on appeal before the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
Belle Hall v. Nova Modus; 05-CP-10-4957; May 30, 2008*
Obtained a verdict on behalf of Belle Hall in the amount of $202,000.00 plus attorney's fees and defeated fraudulent mortgages under South Carolina's Statute of Elizabeth after a week-long jury trial in the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas. Belle Hall sought damages for defendants' breach of a lease agreement and fraudulent acts to avoid payment for damages arising out of the breach.
Ratliff v. Crain; 05-CVS-870; April 2007
Obtained a defense verdict after a week jury trial in North Carolina Superior Court. Plaintiff sought $2.2 Million in wrongful death damages for medical negligence.
Scarboro v. Klein; 04-CVS-2071; February 2007
Obtained a defense verdict after 3 week jury trial in North Carolina Superior Court. Plaintiff sought $3 Million in wrongful death damages for medical negligence.
Thomas v. Harbury, et al.; 03-CVS-12406; August 2006
Obtained a defense verdict after 3 week jury trial in North Carolina Superior Court. Plaintiff sought $2.5 Million in wrongful death damages for medical negligence.
Sowell v. Cross Care, et al.; 03-CVS-5714; February 2006
Obtained a defense verdict after 4 week jury trial in North Carolina Superior Court. Plaintiff sought $6 Million in damages for medical negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, constructive fraud, and conspiracy.
Reported Case:
Winebarger v. Peterson, 182 N.C. App 510 642 S.E.2d 544; (2007).
The North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed trial court's ruling in favor of Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment on the grounds that Plaintiff had not obtained appropriate expert review prior to filing the complaint.
* First chair trial counsel
Professional Affiliations
- Member, Charleston County Bar Association
- Member, South Carolina Bar Association
- Member, North Carolina Bar Association
- Member, American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Trial Practice Committee
- Member, Maritime Law Association of the United States (MLAUS)
- Member, Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Charleston
- Member, Rotary Club of Charleston