Achievements
Mr. Sumner has been the recipient of numerous academic awards. In 1975 Mr. Sumner was selected for Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges. He served as a member of the Pershing Rifles ceremonial drill team. Mr. Sumner graduated magna cum laude from Hardin-Simmons University. He received as an undergraduate the prestigious Bradbury Political Science Award for academic achievement and was also selected to the Alpha Chi Honor Society. He subsequently was designated an honor graduate at the University of Arkansas School of Law, finishing in the top 5% of his law school class. While in law school, Mr. Sumner was selected for law review based upon academic achievement. In 1978 he served as Associate Editor on the ARKANSAS LAW REVIEW. Mr. Sumner was on active duty in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAGC) 1978-86. He initially distinguished himself as a criminal defense lawyer at courts-martial trials. Mr. Sumner subsequently served as Chief Prosecutor, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 2d Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Korea and was awarded the MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL. Mr. Sumner later was a lead Pentagon trial attorney defending medical malpractice cases under the Federal Tort Claims Act. He was selected for Special Attorney assignment with Torts Branch, Civil Division. U.S. Department of Justice as a trial defense counsel in medical negligence cases arising from military health care, once again earning him the MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL. In the private sector, Mr. Sumner has practiced almost exclusively in the medical malpractice litigation arena. He has been Managing Partner for Eastern Pennsylvania offices of a large medical negligence defense firm. Mr. Sumner now manages a multi-state medical negligence practice on behalf of plaintiffs. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates