Steve Sumner Attorney
Steve graduated from the USC School of Law in 1992. As a student, he was named to the “Order of the Wig and Robe” for superior academic achievement. Additionally, Steve was part of the “Mock Trial Competition” winning team at USC, which represented USC in the southeastern regional of the national competition.
Steve served as a state court prosecutor from 1992 to 1994. His primary case load consisted of prosecuting DUI, Felony DUI, Reckless Homicide, and Traffic Offenses.
Since opening his own practice as a criminal defense attorney in 1997, Steve has been recognized both nationally and locally for his work in defending clients accused of DUI, Felony DUI, all driving offenses, and drug cases (see Professional Affiliations below).
He has been named a Super Lawyer for DUI Defense for 14 years in a row, and has made the Best Lawyers list for DUI Defense for 12 consecutive years, including being named Lawyer of the Year three times.
Steve currently represents clients in over 25 courts in Upstate South Carolina including Greenville, Anderson, Pickens, Oconee, Spartanburg, Laurens, and Greenwood Counties.
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Professional Affiliations
- Named 2024 “DUI Lawyer of the Year” For DUI Defense In The Upstate by Best Lawyers – third time receiving this honor
- Best Lawyers in America – DUI Defense, 12 consecutive years
- South Carolina Super Lawyers – DUI Defense, 14 consecutive years
- Legal Elite for DUI Defense, Top Vote Recipient
- Best Attorneys of America – Lifetime Charter Member
- Better Business Bureau of the Upstate – Past winner of the BBB’s “Business of Integrity Award for Customer Service”
- The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
- American Bar Association – Criminal Justice Section
- South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association
- South Carolina Bar Association
- South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Greenville Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- DUI Defense Lawyers Association
Professional Speaking Engagements
“For the DUI Practitioner: A Review of Significant South Carolina, US Supreme Court and National Decisions” –Columbia, SC
“From Schmerber to McNeely: a review of DUI cases decided by the US Supreme Court” -Columbia, SC
“DUI Defense from Jury Selection to Closing Statement” -National Broadcast
South Carolina Summary Court Judges –Magistrate’s Intensive Training Seminar -Columbia, SC
“Handling Your First DUI Case” -Charlotte, NC
“Handling Your First DUI Case” -Columbia, SC
“Emerging Issues in DUI/Drunk Driving Cases” -Columbia, SC
“Preparing a Criminal Case for Trial” -Charleston School of Law, Charleston, SC
“Social Media, Discovery and Evidence in Criminal Cases”-Charlotte, NC
“An Introductory Course: Handling the First DUI Case”-Columbia, SC
“Latest Developments in DUI”-Columbia, SC
“Recent Developments in DUI”-Greenville, SC
“Knowing your Rights as a Citizen”-Furman University – Greenville, SC
Published Articles/Columns
“Emma’s Law relies on technology to fight DUI” -The Greenville News
“Five decisions that matter the most to DUI attorneys” -South Carolina Lawyers Weekly
“A Line is Drawn on the DUI Exception” -South Carolina Lawyers Weekly
“The Current State of Confrontation” -The Voice (Fort Worth, Texas)
“State’s New DUI Reform Law Aims for Balance”-The Greenville News
“Verdict is Out on whether DUI Reform will give Balance” -The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC)
“Our Rights Should be Carefully Guarded” -The Greenville News
“Employees who Drive Carry Host of Issues”-GSA Business Journal
“Old laws, new consequences for having open containers” -South Carolina Laywers Weekly
“Roll the tape (or not): A review of recent decisions regarding DUI videotaping” -South
Carolina Lawyers Weekly
“DUI Myths Debunked”-Industry Magazine
“The Value of Confrontational Behavior” -South Carolina Lawyers Weekly
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Scott Todd Attorney
A native of Laurens, SC, Scott is a graduate of Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He was the CALI Award Winner for Criminal Law as well as a member of the Mock Trial Team.
After clerking for the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Officer and the Honorable Judge Donald B. Hocker (Eighth Judicial Circuit), Scott served as Assistant Solicitor for the Seventh and Thirteen Circuits.
Scott joined Steve in March, 2020 and became a partner in 2022. He has been named a "Rising Star" in DUI Defense by Super Lawyers for three consecutive years, and as "Best and Brightest Under 35" by Greenville Business Magazine.
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Professional Affiliations and Accolades
- Named to South Carolina “Rising Stars” list by Super Lawyers (only 2% of lawyers under 40 nationwide are selected for this honor)
- Named to Greenville Business Magazine’s “Best & Brightest Under 35” list for 2022
- CALI Award Winner for Criminal Law, University of South Carolina
- Member, Mock Trial Team, University of South Carolina
- DUI Defense Lawyers Association
- South Carolina Bar Association
- Greenville Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Greenville County (SC) Bar Association
- Laurens County (SC) Bar Association
- Board Member, Main Street Laurens
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Brookyln Holden Paralegal
Brookyln joined our firm in 2025 after working as a paralegal for the Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, serving Greenville and Pickens County. Brookyln handles all scheduling and is the initial liaison with the courts and SCDMV. She transcribes the firm’s dictation, hearings, depositions, and audio files. Brookyln maintains the backbone of our caseload and is a vital part of our team.
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Sumner & Todd,
Attorneys at Law
112 Manly Street
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: (864) 235-3834
Fax: (864) 233-8781
Email: info@upstatedui.com