Robert Gary Cummings

Robert Cummings was raised in a highly competitive environment.  He grew up fighting:  on the football field, on the wrestling matt, and in the karate dojo.  He was also fiercely competitive in several other sports, including baseball, soccer, tennis and track.  This competitive spirit carried over to academics and he was lucky enough to receive a scholarship at Arizona State University.      

He graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State with a B.S. in Accounting.  In addition to making the Dean’s List all four years of college, he received several other high academic honors including membership in:  Beta Gamma Sigma, Mortar Board, The Gold Key Society, and the Order of Omega.  He was the recipient of several scholarships for high academic achievement including the Arizona State Regents General Scholarship, the John F. Miller Scholarship, and the Arizona Legislative Research Scholarship.     

During college, Robert Cummings became active in Toastmasters International and began competing in public speaking competitions.  In 1988, he won the Arizona State University Humorous Speech Contest.  He also placed as runner-up in the Southwestern Regional Toastmasters International Championships and received several other awards for public speaking.    

In the late eighties, he worked as Legislative Research Intern with the Arizona State House of Representatives where he became versed in legal research and persuasive writing.  He reviewed and analyzed legislation and law for the Tourism Professions and Occupations, the Prison Institutions and Reform Development, and the Ways and Means committees.  His duties included: preparing speeches, presenting bills and advising elected officials on legislation and its affect on the current state of the law.            

In 1990, Robert Cummings accepted a position with the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand (a predecessor to Price Waterhouse Coopers).  There, Mr. Cummings audited several fortune 500 companies and participated in various projects with the Business Investigative Services Unit--responsible for “white-collar” criminal defense investigation and analysis.  During this time, he studied taxation at Golden Gate University and eventually received a Masters Degree in Accounting and Taxation.  In 1993, Robert Cummings joined KMPG Peat Marwick LLP (now KPMG) and became a tax specialist.  

In 1996, Robert Cummings entered University of California’s Hastings College of the Law where he focused his attention on criminal law.  He received top marks in all of his criminal law classes and began competing on the heralded Hastings Moot Court Team.  In 1998, his team won best brief and placed third in the August J. Rendigs National Moot Court Championship.  Mr. Cummings also attended Hastings’ Criminal Clinic, excelled in Trial Advocacy I & II, and immersed himself in two independent studies including:  Fourth Amendment Law and Federal Criminal Procedure.                   

During his first and second years of law school, Robert Cummings clerked with the United States Attorney’s Office Criminal and Tax Divisions where he worked on several cases involving:  White-collar crimes, Bank fraud, Tax fraud, Perjury, Counterfeiting, Bribery, Forgery, Internet-computer related crimes, Marijuana (major) Cultivation, Bank Robbery, Explosives Devices and various misdemeanor offenses.    

In his third year of law school, Robert Cummings conducted several contested hearings as a certified law clerk with the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.  He was assigned to major narcotics and handled matters involving search and seizure, and medical marijuana.  He later worked as a certified law clerk with the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office where he handled preliminary hearings, contested motions, legal writing and research.   

After law school, Robert Cummings joined the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.  As a Deputy District Attorney in Contra Costa, Mr. Cummings prosecuted various felonies, misdemeanors and juvenile offenses.  He became well versed in several areas of prosecution, including:  DUI, Domestic Violence, White-Collar Crime, Psychiatric Defenses and Issues, Narcotics, Homicide, Hate Crime, Gangs, Violent Crime and Restraining Order Law.  Mr. Cummings also served on the board of directors of Richmond’s Juvenile Drug Court.             

Mr. Cummings later joined the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.  He first served on the Family Violence Unit--responsible for the prosecution of domestic violence, elder abuse, stalking and child abuse.  He eventually transferred to the North County Unit where he tried several cases involving:  Homicide, Domestic Violence, Hate Crime and Sex related offenses.  During his time at the Santa Clara County DA's Office, Mr. Cummings maintained an undefeated jury trial record.         

As a former prosecutor, Robert Cummings knows the ins and outs of the criminal justice system.  He has a wide range of experience and an in depth understanding of what it takes to prevail at trial.  He is an extremely skilled public speaker and has a knack for winning over juries.  Mr. Cummings has the knowledge and wisdom to help you maneuver through the criminal justice system.  If you are charged with a crime, contact the Law Offices of Robert G. Cummings.  Your initial consultation is free.