ATTORNEY

Hello, I’m Mark Sumwalt. I’ve been representing injured workers for the overwhelming majority of my 42 years of practice. I’ve represented thousands of injured workers and have tried hundreds of cases before our Industrial Commission. I have also been actively involved in appellate work for injured workers and over the course of four decades have been lead counsel in numerous appellate decisions.

I’ve been honored to serve as President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (formerly North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers), the first workers’ compensation lawyer in the state to do so. I also have served as chair of the Workers’ Compensation Section and many other leadership roles in championing the rights of injured workers. I do not advertise — and never have — because I believe advertising has undermined the public perception of lawyers. I am proud that all of my clients find me through word of mouth and referrals.

While I have handled every conceivable workers’ compensation claim, I am most proud of my work in the area of attendant care and representing family-member caregivers whose spouse or other loved one suffered catastrophic injuries and can no longer care for themselves without assistance. I was lead counsel in the first two attendant care cases to reach our appellate courts in 2000 and 2002, as well as in the last two to reach our Supreme Court in the past decade.

I grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina, received my undergraduate degree at Davidson College, and my law degree at the University of South Carolina in 1981. I then moved to Charlotte and began my legal career. I am married to my wonderful wife, Christine, and have three wonderful children and three grandchildren, all of whom live in Charlotte. I love the outdoors, staying active, and sports, although, to quote Hootie, the Dolphins still make me cry.

When I opened my own law firm in 1999, workers’ compensation remained my specialty. As I stated on my website at that time, “One of my ambitions in life was to find a profession that was consistent with my beliefs and allowed me to make a difference in the lives of others.” All these years later, my goal remains the same.

If you’ve been injured on the job and would like to talk, please feel free to call me. I’d be happy to chat with you. If I think you do not need a lawyer, I will shoot straight with you and let you know. If you do need a lawyer, I will be happy to help you.

Education

• J.D., University of South Carolina School of Law (1981)
• B.A. English, Davidson College (1978)

Bar Memberships

• North Carolina
• South Carolina (inactive)

Areas of Practice

• Workers’ Compensation
• Personal Injury

Licensure

Licensed to practice before all state courts in North Carolina and the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

Professional Honors and Recognition

• North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law
• North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) (formerly North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers)
• President (2003-2004 Term)
• The Walter Clark Award (2013)
• Ebbie Award (2008)
• Best Lawyers in America
• Lawyer of the Year – Charlotte: Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants (2012)
• Best Lawyer – Charlotte: Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants (2011 – present)
• SuperLawyers (2007 – present)
• Top 10: North Carolina (2015)
• Top 25: Charlotte (2013 – 2018)
• Top 100: North Carolina (2010 – 2018)
• Martindale-Hubble® Peer Review Rating of AV Preeminent

Memberships and Affiliations

• North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) (formerly North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers)
• President (2003 – 2004)
• Executive Committee (2001 – 2013, 2022)
• Board of Governors (1999 – 2012)
• Ex Officio Member (2013 – present)
• Political Action Committee (PAC) (2002 – 2016)
• Chair (2006 – 2008)
• Workers’ Compensation Section (1985-present)
• Chair (2005-2006)
• Executive Committee (1992 – present)
• NC Bar Association
• Mecklenburg County Bar
• American Association for Justice (AAJ)
• Workplace Injury Litigation Group (WILG)