Shawn Sukumar

Shawn Sukumar is a highly skilled criminal defense attorney who is licensed in the District of Columbia. He has more than a decade of experience representing clients charged with a wide variety of criminal cases in Washington, D.C.

Shawn has handled everything from high-level felony offenses to traffic violations and charges of driving under the influence.

Awards

National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
Perfect 10/10 Rating on Avvo.com

Awards

National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
Perfect 10/10 Rating on Avvo.com

Philosophy & Approach

Shawn’s success in and out of the courtroom has shown how valuable his skill set is to anyone who is charged with a criminal offense in Washington DC. He fights for the rights of his clients throughout the entire legal process. Even after a case is concluded, Shawn continues to work with his clients who require help in having their records cleared. Many individuals who have served time or who have completed probation find that their charge remains on their record. Even those who have been found not guilty may suffer the stigma of the arrest, which can remain on their record and be subject to a background search from a prospective employer or leasing office. By pursuing expungement, Shawn can help eligible clients with certain prior offenses and arrests to get their records sealed so that they are no longer visible to the general public.

Philosophy & Approach

Experience & Background

Born and raised in the District of Columbia, Shawn has devoted his entire legal career to the practice of criminal defense. During law school, Shawn completed a clerkship with the trial division of the highly respected Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, where he worked on a range of cases that included allegations of sexual assault, drug crimes, and gun charges. He also clerked with the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council and the Georgia Capital Defender.

Shawn received his juris doctor from Emory University School of Law, and his bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University, where he graduated with honors. After graduating, he worked in the Murder Division at the Clark County Public Defender’s Office in Las Vegas, Nevada. His reputation as a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney with an impressive record for success provides him with a distinct advantage when defending clients in the DC court system. He commands mutual respect from both prosecutors and judges, and is highly regarded by colleagues in the realm of criminal defense.

He handles a variety of cases in both the D.C. Superior and Federal District Courts, where he has been practicing for over 10 years. These include DUI offenses, ranging from misdemeanor to felony charges, and drug possession charges, both for personal use and for those accused of possession with the intent to distribute or sell certain drugs. He has extensive experience in defending clients charged with marijuana possession in DC, including college students and minors who are found in possession of drugs or alcohol. Among the many criminal offenses he has successfully litigated are charges of assault, from simple assault to aggravated assault; domestic violence; weapons violations; theft-related charges, including burglary and robbery; and prostitution and solicitation. Shawn is also a D.C. Bar Landlord Tenant Pro Bono attorney. In his spare time, Shawn enjoys drumming and spicy food, and is a vintage necktie enthusiast. He lives in Northeast DC with his wife and hound dog.