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About Steve
Biography
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
2
Practice Areas
DUI and DWI
95%
34 years | 5,000 cases
Criminal Defense
5%
34 years | 2,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in South Carolina for 33 years
State: South Carolina
Acquired: 1992
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Steve Wayne Sumner
112 Manly Street, Greenville, SC, 29601
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Steve Wayne Sumner's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
20 Client Reviews
Steve Wayne Sumner's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Steve has a strong reputation for being well prepared in the field of criminal defense in upstate South Carolina."
"Steve is a premier DUI lawyer in the Upstate. He fights hard for his clients and isn't afraid to take cases to trial."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
""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.""
"I endorse Steve. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
Donald Pilzer
Social Security & Disability lawyer
Douglas Churdar
Personal injury lawyer
Jon Saia
DUI and DWI lawyer
Mark Stevens
DUI and DWI lawyer
Bruce Kapsack
DUI and DWI lawyer
Matthew Olszewski
DUI and DWI lawyer
Brian Leininger
DUI and DWI lawyer
Leslie Sammis
DUI and DWI lawyer
Mimi Coffey
DUI and DWI lawyer
Zaki Ali
DUI and DWI lawyer
Joseph Lehn
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Jack Griffeth
Employment and labor lawyer
Timothy Kulp
Criminal defense lawyer
Monty Desai
Workers compensation lawyer
Michael Coulter
Litigation lawyer
Candice Lapham
DUI and DWI lawyer
Edwin Turnage
Personal injury lawyer
Ross Plyler
Insurance lawyer
Eric Philpot
Personal injury lawyer
William Nichols
Litigation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2017
Best Lawyers in America for DUI Defense, Best Lawyers In America
2016
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
2015
AV Preeminent Peer Review, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Top Attorneys in SC, Columbia Living Magazine
2014
Applause Award, Better Business Bureau
2014
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
2013
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
2013
Top Attorneys in SC, Columbia Living Magazine
2012
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Best DUI Attorney in Upstate South Carolina, The Greenville News
2011
Level 5 Contributor, Avvo
2010
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
2007
Best Lawyer in the Upstate, Creative Loafing
1992
Winner of the Mock Trial Competition, University of South Carolina
1992
Order of Wig and Robe, University of South Carolina School of Law
Work Experience
2003 - Present
Attorney to Assistant Investigator Disciplinary Counsel, South Carolina Supreme Court
1995 - Present
Defense Attorney, Upstate DUI
1992 - 1995
State DUI Prosecutor, State of South Carolina
Associations
2011 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2011 - Present
South Carolina Association for JusticeMember
2011 - Present
National College for DUI DefenseMember
2011 - Present
South Carolina Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2011 - Present
South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2006 - Present
Greenville Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2002 - Present
Furman UniversityMock Trial Judge
1996 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)Member
1992 - Present
South Carolina Bar AssociationMember
Best Lawyers in America
Member
Best Attorneys of America
Lifetime Charter Member
South Carolina Super Lawyers
Member
The National Trial Lawyers - Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Member
South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association
Member
DUI Defense Lawyers Association
Member
Sample of Legal Cases
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, Appellant, v. Josef Scott Holtzclaw, Respondent
Dismissal Affirmed
Education
1992
University of South Carolina School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1986
University of South Carolina
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2013
DUI Defense CLE
DUI Defense from Jury Selection to Closing Statement
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
22nd Annual Criminal Practice in South Carolina
Significant Appellate Decisions from 2011
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
Skip Church Radio Show
DUI in South Carolina
2012
Magistrates Advisory Counsel Intensive Training Seminar
DUI Video Recording Requirements
2012
DUI Defense From Jury Selection to Closing Statement
DUI Defense
2012
Charleston School of Law
Preparing a Criminal Case for Trial
2011
WHNS Fox Carolina
DMV Amnesty
2011
Live CLE • Social Media Discovery and Evidence
Discovery and Evidence in the era of Social Media
2011
Handling First DUI Case
The DUI Trial: Fear Not
2011
Furman University Speakers Series
An Individual’s Rights when Under Police Investigation
2010
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
2009
WYFF News Channel 4
DUI Law Brings Much Stiffer Penalties
2008
Professional Network Connections
What to do if Stopped by Police
Publications
2013
South Carolina Lawyers Weekly
A Line is Drawn on the DUI Exception
2012
The Greenville News
State's New DUI Reform Law Aims for Balance
2012
Voice for the Defense (Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association)
The Current State of Confrontation
2012
South Carolina Lawyers Weekly
The Value of Confrontational Behavior
2011
Talk Magazine
The A List
2011
Guide to Greenville
Featured Attorney
2011
The Greenville Journal
Adult Consequences for Teenage Decisions
2011
The Calgary Herald
Examining the Italian legal system through the case of Amanda Knox
2011
South Carolina Lawyers Weekly
Roll the tape (or not): A review of recent decisions regarding DUI videotaping
2010
The Greenville News
DUI Arrests Increase While Highway Deaths Drop
2010
The Greenville News
The Rise of Moped Deaths
2010
South Carolina Lawyers Weekly
Old Laws, New Consequences for Having Open Containers
2008
The Greenville News
Penalty to Stiffen for Refusing DUI Test
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
2nd DUI years after PTI completion
22 Apr 2011
Q&A
I received a DUI in SC in 1995. Because of new legislature in my current state they run all licenses through NDR. In order for
14 Jan 2011
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
The Offense of "Child Endangerment" in South Carolina
24 Jan 2011
Video Legal Guide
Expungement of Record
17 Jan 2011
Legal Guide
Old Laws, New Consequences for Having an Open Container
12 Jan 2011