Attorneys

Sumer Shelton

Attorney

Sumer Shelton is a litigation attorney practicing eminent domain and probate litigation. She protects and asserts the right of property owners in eminent domain proceedings and clients in trust and estate disputes. Sumer earned her J.D. at the University of Texas School of Law and graduated Highest Ranking Graduate in the College of Business Administration (now Rawls College of Business) and Banner Bearer for the Honors College at Texas Tech University.

Sumer graduated summa cum laude with a perfect 4.0 g.p.a. from Texas Tech University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a specialization in International Business. In 2002, she graduated from the University of Texas School of Law, where she was a member of the moot court team that competed in New York. She gained early courtroom experience through two clinical programs while in law school – the Juvenile Justice Clinic and the Mental Health Clinic – and handled her first eminent domain special commissioners’ hearing before earning her law degree.

Sumer was second-chair for three eminent domain jury trials, all of which her team won by achieving at or within 2% of her client’s appraisal valuation testimony. She also has experience at the appellate level, having prepared or substantially drafted seven appellate briefs submitted to the Texas Supreme Court and four appellate briefs submitted to intermediate appellate courts. Sumer also represents clients in probate litigation matters concerning issues of incapacity, undue influence, trust administration and common law marriage.

Sumer’s three kids provide opportunity for her to be involved in their school, sports and church communities. She has coached soccer and cheer, managed pop warner football teams, been coerced into athletic booster club leadership, and relished the emotional rollercoaster of their many sports. She also served on the board of their preschool and on the Children and Families Ministry team at church.

Sumer has served with Texas Law Tutors and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is also a past member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, 2005.

Education

  • B.A., Business Administration, Highest Ranking Graduate, Texas Tech University, College of Business Administration (now Rawls College of Business), 1999

  • J.D., University of Texas School of Law, 2002

Publications and Presentations

  • Lecturer on the compensability of noise emanating from a proposed water intake barge, presented at the Eminent Domain conference in Austin, 2011

  • Co-Chair of the Eminent Domain Seminar in Austin, 2006

  • Lecturer and Author on the recovery of business and profit losses in a condemnation case, presented at the Eminent Domain Conference in Houston in 2004 and in Austin in 2005

  • Author on discovery in an eminent domain case, presented at the Eminent Domain Conference in Houston, 2004

  • Author on regulatory takings, inverse takings and exactions, presented at the Advanced Administrative Law Seminar, 2004

  • Author on condemnation issues in leasing, presented at the Advanced Real Estate Drafting Course, 2003

  • Author on good faith negotiations, bona fide offers and right to take issues, presented at the Eminent Domain Conference, 2003″