Steve completed both his undergraduate and graduate education in his home state of South Carolina, graduating from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1992. While at the USC School of Law, Steve was inducted into the academic honor society of the "Order of the Wig and Robe" for superior academic achievement.
After graduating from law school, Steve became a state prosecutor. His primary case load consisted of prosecuting DUI, felony DUI, reckless homicide, and vehicular offenses, as well as other drug and alcohol related charges. This experience not only gave Steve the opportunity to develop and enhance his court room skills in the trial of driving related offenses, it also gave him a valuable "insider's knowledge" of how the prosecution approaches these cases.
In 1995, Steve opened his own practice as a criminal defense attorney, with a special focus on defending clients accused of DUI and other driving offenses.
Since then, Steve has developed a reputation as a knowledgeable, skilled, and aggressive DUI lawyer. He is very familiar with the nuances of the South Carolina DUI/Implied Consent laws, which can be quite complex.
Steve has been a guest lecturer for magistrates, judges, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, law school students, and business associations in the area of DUI law. Steve has also appeared numerous times on television, radio, and newspapers regarding DUI topics from the defense perspective.
Steve currently represents clients in over 25 courts in Upstate South Carolina. These courts include Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg, Pickens and Laurens counties; as well as the city/municipal courts of Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg, Simpsonville, Greer, Fountain Inn, Easley, Clemson, Central, and Laurens.
Practice areas
Results achieved for one client does not indicate similar results for other clients.
30 years, 5,000 cases
Results achieved for one client does not indicate similar results for other clients.
30 years, 2,000 cases
Languages spoken
English
112 Manly Street
Greenville, SC, 29601
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
SC | Good Standing | 1992 | 07/30/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Best Lawyers in America for DUI Defense | Best Lawyers In America | 2017 |
DUI Defense | South Carolina Super Lawyers | 2016 |
Best Attorneys in America | Rue's Ratings | 2016 |
Best Lawyers in America for DUI Defense | Best Lawyers in America | 2016 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | The National Trial Lawyers | 2016 |
AV Rating - Judicial Edition | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
AV Preeminent Peer Review | Martindale-Hubbell | 2015 |
Top Attorneys in SC | Columbia Living Magazine | 2014 |
Applause Award | Better Business Bureau | 2014 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | The National Trial Lawyers | 2014 |
Top Attorneys in SC | Columbia Living Magazine | 2013 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | The National Trial Lawyers | 2013 |
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 2012 |
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2011 |
Best DUI Attorney in Upstate South Carolina | The Greenville News | 2011 |
Level 5 Contributor | Avvo | 2011 |
Certificate of Completion | Attacking Field Sobriety Tests | 2010 |
Certificate of Completion | Mastering Scientific Evidence in DUI Cases | 2010 |
Level 4 Contributor | Avvo | 2010 |
Certificate of Completion | Positive Drug Test Report/Defending the Drug Case | 2010 |
Certificate of Completion | Advanced Training in the Drug Recognition Expert(DRE) program | 2010 |
Best Lawyer in the Upstate | Creative Loafing | 2007 |
Winner of the Mock Trial Competition | University of South Carolina | 1992 |
Order of Wig and Robe | University of South Carolina School of Law | 1992 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney to Assistant Investigator Disciplinary Counsel | South Carolina Supreme Court | 2003 - Present |
Defense Attorney | Upstate DUI | 1995 - Present |
State DUI Prosecutor | State of South Carolina | 1992 - 1995 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
American Bar Association | Member | 2011 - Present |
South Carolina Association for Justice | Member | 2011 - Present |
National College for DUI Defense | Member | 2011 - Present |
South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association | Member | 2011 - Present |
South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 2011 - Present |
Greenville Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 2006 - Present |
Furman University | Mock Trial Judge | 2002 - Present |
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) | Member | 1996 - Present |
South Carolina Bar Association | Member | 1992 - Present |
Best Lawyers in America | Member | N/A |
Best Attorneys of America | Lifetime Charter Member | N/A |
South Carolina Super Lawyers | Member | N/A |
The National Trial Lawyers - Top 100 Trial Lawyers | Member | N/A |
South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association | Member | N/A |
DUI Defense Lawyers Association | Member | N/A |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
South Carolina Lawyers Weekly | A Line is Drawn on the DUI Exception | 2013 |
Voice for the Defense (Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association) | The Current State of Confrontation | 2012 |
South Carolina Lawyers Weekly | The Value of Confrontational Behavior | 2012 |
The Greenville News | State's New DUI Reform Law Aims for Balance | 2012 |
Talk Magazine | The A List | 2011 |
The Calgary Herald | Examining the Italian legal system through the case of Amanda Knox | 2011 |
Guide to Greenville | Featured Attorney | 2011 |
The Greenville Journal | Adult Consequences for Teenage Decisions | 2011 |
Yahoo! News | Steve Sumner, Attorney At Law, Releases Statement on the Recent Amanda Knox Case | 2011 |
South Carolina Lawyers Weekly | Roll the tape (or not): A review of recent decisions regarding DUI videotaping | 2011 |
The Greenville News | The Rise of Moped Deaths | 2010 |
The Greenville News | DUI Arrests Increase While Highway Deaths Drop | 2010 |
South Carolina Lawyers Weekly | Old Laws, New Consequences for Having Open Containers | 2010 |
The Greenville News | Penalty to Stiffen for Refusing DUI Test | 2008 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of South Carolina School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1992 |
University of South Carolina | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1986 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
22nd Annual Criminal Practice in South Carolina | Significant Appellate Decisions from 2011 | 2013 |
22nd Annual Criminal Practice in South Carolina | For the DUI Practitioner: A Review of Significant South Carolina, US Supreme Court and National Decisions | 2013 |
DUI Defense CLE | DUI Defense from Jury Selection to Closing Statement | 2013 |
DUI Defense From Jury Selection to Closing Statement | DUI Defense | 2012 |
Magistrates Advisory Counsel Intensive Training Seminar | DUI Video Recording Requirements | 2012 |
Skip Church Radio Show | DUI in South Carolina | 2012 |
Charleston School of Law | Preparing a Criminal Case for Trial | 2012 |
State Conference of the South Carolina Bail Agents Association | Developments in South Carolina DUI Law | 2012 |
Skip Church Radio Show 103.3 WOLT | DUI FAQ for South Carolina Drivers | 2012 |
Handling First DUI Case | The DUI Trial: Fear Not | 2011 |
Live CLE • Social Media Discovery and Evidence | Discovery and Evidence in the era of Social Media | 2011 |
Furman University Speakers Series | An Individual’s Rights when Under Police Investigation | 2011 |
WHNS Fox Carolina | DMV Amnesty | 2011 |
WHNS Fox Carolina | The DUI App | 2010 |
Upstate Bail Agents Association Meeting | Changes in South Carolina DUI Law | 2010 |
South Carolina Judges Convention | DUI Defense and Guarding the Rights of Defendants | 2010 |
Professional Network Connections | Holidays and Drinking Drivers | 2010 |
WYFF News Channel 4 | DUI Law Brings Much Stiffer Penalties | 2009 |
Professional Network Connections | What to do if Stopped by Police | 2008 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, Appellant, v. Josef Scott Holtzclaw, Respondent | Dismissal Affirmed |
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Hal Roach, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jul 27, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Donald Pilzer, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 6, 2016
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer. Steve has a strong reputation for being well prepared in the field of criminal defense in upstate South Carolina.
John Mussetto, DUI and DWI Attorney on Nov 11, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Steve is a premier DUI lawyer in the Upstate. He fights hard for his clients and isn't afraid to take cases to trial.
Richard Davis, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 27, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse lawyer Steve Sumner. He is highly skilled and effective in his representation of individuals charged with DUI or related matters. Most importantly, Steve is a great person. He is approachable and appreciated by all who know him.
Patrick Knie, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 7, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Steve has a tremendous reputation in the area of DUI defense. He has a keen legal mind, great courtroom skills,and is respected by the legal community. Steve is highly ethical and well thought of in the comminity.
William Head, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jun 24, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Steve for over a decade. I have been to half dozen seminars with him, and he was a speaker at some of these programs. His strong suit is comprehensive knowledge of the courts in and around Greenville, and full command of the laws of the State of SC. Steve has a one-of-a-kind additional asset: Scotty Roberson, and ex-State Patrol officer as his investigator. You can hire this man with confidence.
Joseph Lyles, DUI and DWI Attorney on Mar 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer for defense of Driving Under the Influence cases. He has built up a strong reputation through hard work and talent. And what is just as important he is a pleasant person to work with who doesn't have an ego problem, like so many successful lawyers do.
Eric Philpot, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 17, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Steve is an excellent defense lawyer. The primary focus of his practice is DUI defense. This enables him to focus his time and resources on this specific area of the law. This benefits his clients immeasurably. I highly recommend his services.
W. Arnold, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 16, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Whenever I have a friend or client who has been charged with DUI and is seeking a referral, the first name I give them is Steve's. He is experienced and skilled, but perhaps more importantly, he is ethical. I can endorse Steve without reservation.
Zaki Ali, DUI and DWI Attorney on Oct 15, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I gladly endorse the work of Steve Sumner. He is a hard working and extremely intelligent DUI defense attorney who has a record of winning that would make any attorney proud. But beyond that he's just a great guy. Easy to talk to and eager to actually help people who come to him at a very dark time."
Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 13, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Steve. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
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