Page 17 - Dallas Vol 6 No 1

ATTORNEY OF THE MONTH
Steve Sumner
FROM MLB TO THE
LEGAL BIG LEAGUES BY DAN BALDWIN
THE EVOLUTION OF A BALL PLAYER
A er graduating from Hillcrest High School in Dallas, Steve Sum- ner signed a professional baseball contract to pitch for the Houston Astros and for the next four years, he pitched for the Astros, Chicago Cubs, and Washington Senators. His successful baseball career ended abruptly due to a shoulder injury.
Playing pro ball is a full-time job and is a very time and energy consuming way of life, but Sumner made time during the winter o - season to attend the University of North Texas. He says his grades re- ected his focus on a career in professional sports. “I was completely committed to professional baseball and was doing well. I had good years and had a very promising career ahead of me. It was my career, my life,” he says.
Sumner found himself in a state of career limbo due to his pitch- ing shoulder injury. Following surgery in Philadelphia, he moved to Washington, D.C. for physical therapy. He became fascinated with the political action in Washington and began sitting in on hearings and committee meetings. He realized that most of the participants were lawyers and that realization sparked an interest in the law as a career – something he had never considered.
When he returned to his home town of Dallas, he began going to the courthouse every day to observe trials. “It was so exciting, and it was so signi cant, and it really reminded me a lot of baseball with those lawyers standing in front of a packed courtroom. Every eye in the room was on them, which is very similar to the experience of a base- ball pitcher. It was competitive. It was intense. It had a lot of the same earmarks of pitching in professional baseball. I’ve always thought that played a part in my ultimate decision to go on to law school, and I knew then – I was going to be a trial lawyer.” Sumner says.
STEVE SUMNER (RIGHT) WITH HIS SON, JUSTIN SUMNER.