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Scott H. Z. Sumner
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Scott H. Z. Sumner
Hinton, Alfert & Sumner
1646 N. California Blvd.
Suite 600
Walnut Creek, CA 94596-4113
Phone: (925) 932-6006 | Fax: (925) 332-3412
http://www.hinton-law.com
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
Dangerous Products/Product Liability: I protect consumers, workers and regular people against dangerous products, and will not represent manufacturers of products or their insurers.
Accidents & Personal Injury: I represent consumers, workers and regular people against big corporations and the insurance companies of the businesses and individuals who cause accidents and injuries.
Intentional Injuries: Wrongful death, elder abuse and animal attacks are among the most frightening things individuals and families can face. My preference is to find a way to help those so affected to deal with their injuries and loss, and help them to reconstruct their lives with a solid financial footing from the responsible parties.
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Car/Auto Accidents
- Wrongful Death
- Construction Site Injuries
- Slip & Fall
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Airplanes
- Buildings
- Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
- Legal Malpractice
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1991
Bar Number: 156304
Other Court Admissions
California State Courts and Federal District Courts
Association Memberships
California and Contra Costa Bar Association
Continuing Education
I have literally hundreds of hours of study and teaching in trial practice and personal injury damages.
Papers and Publications
I regularly publish papers on topics ranging from trial practice to healthcare lien law in trial attorney publications and County Bar Association Journals, I am also on the Editorial Committee of the Consumer Attorneys of California magazine, "Forum."
Example Cases
I received a $4.5 million verdict against trucking company and driver in a multicar accident. Truck driver negligently traveling 60 m.p.h. next to two lanes of stop-and-go traffic at the I-580 W/I-680 interchange.
Major money settlements in several heavy-equipment defect cases, involving hydraulic and computer systems in construction equipment.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
University of San Diego School of Law
City:
San Diego
State:
CA
Year:
1991
Honors:
Cum Laude: American Jurisprudence Award in the Study of Remedies
Focus and Accomplishments:
I focused on trial and appellate skills.
Degree:
B.A. History and Political Science
School:
University of California at San Diego
City:
San Diego
State:
CA
Year:
1987
Honors:
Dean's List
Focus and Accomplishments:
I studied comparative politics and constitutional history of the United States.
Number of Attorneys
7
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Hinton, Alfert & Sumner focuses exclusively on representing people and families in injury, death and unfair employment matters. The firm was begun by Peter Hinton in the 1970s, and has always restricted its cases to representing individuals and consumers in disputes with insurance companies, corporations, and manufacturers.
Previous Employment Summary
I began my legal career with this firm while still in law school, and have been honored to help the firm grow and expand our ability to represent individuals find justice.
Activities and Awards
My most extensive involvement is in the Consumer Attorneys of California, where I am involved in governance, legislative activities and editorial review.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
It's really great when a client spends the time to educate themselves about the law and the legal process. I often help people who are handling their own cases by reviewing papers they have written and suggesting ways to make their points in ways that insurance companies can best understand and appreciate. It is important for people to recognize that when they are dealing with an insurance company adjuster or someone at a company whose job it is to handle injury claims against their company, they are dealing with professionals whose goal is to pay them as little money as they can get away with.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
As I said above, I am happy to take a look over documents clients have prepared themselves, and to make helpful suggestions.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Again, I am happy to take time to provide what guidance I can to people who are handling their cases on their own. It is important that lawyers help people understand the courts and the legal system.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
Doing this kind of work constantly gives me new opportunities to learn new subjects relating to medicine and science for every new case, while at the same time, helping people out at a time when they are vulnerable and really need help, and need someone to take their side and fight for them.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I have a knack for understanding technical machinery and science, which really helps in dangerous products cases. Before law school, I also worked as everything from a janitor to a dishwasher to a retail clerk, so I can appreciate the kinds of work and experiences people have from all walks of life.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
The ideal of the civil justice system is to provide a level playing field where regular people can seek justice from the biggest corporations on an equal footing, and I want to be on the side of regular people helping to make that ideal a reality.
What do you like best about your career?
Helping people find a way to put their lives back together and providing the means for them to do so after a serious injury or the loss of a loved one provides incredible satisfaction.
Tell us about your law firm:
We have an unusually high ratio of staff to clients to insure that clients get the attention they need. Most cases are assigned at least two attorneys, one or more paralegals, and a secretary. We recognize that the issues facing our clients are difficult and very personal.
Hinton, Alfert & Sumner accepts a limited number of cases so attorneys and staff can commit fully to providing the very best representation and support. When we accept your case, we are committed to bringing all of our resources to bear in seeing justice served for you.
What are your strengths and style?
These days, after any settlement or judgment in a case, your attorney has to continue to fight for you to keep your health insurance company from taking money away from your settlement or judgment. This is an area in which I have more experience than all but a handful of attorneys around this State.
Dignified but determined. I'll be aggressive, but never mean. I am detailed and thorough, and it says a lot that I have the respect of attorneys on the other side of my cases.
Personal Interests:
I've got two school-aged children, and I love to show them the natural world through hikes and travel to the wilderness. I am an avid reader, and a serious bicyclist.
Office Manager/Assistant
Trina Adkins
Fax
(925) 332-3412
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Spanish (in office)
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
All of our work is on a contingent fee basis. If we don't win, we don't get paid.
Hourly Rates
We work on a contingent fee basis. We only get paid when a case is finished, and only if money is recovered. In some employment cases, the Court awards an hourly fee that the other side has to pay.
Free Initial Consultation?
Free initial consultations. Always.
Typical Retainer
We never request a retainer.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
