Frederick M. Cummings
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Frederick M. Cummings has extensive trial experience in the areas of health care, medical malpractice and medical products liability defense litigation. Mr. Cummings also has significant experience in all aspects of complex litigation. He has served as an arbitrator and mediator in many different types of disputes.
Full Biography
Frederick M. Cummings has extensive trial experience in the areas of health care, medical malpractice and medical products liability defense litigation. Mr. Cummings also has significant experience in all aspects of complex litigation. He has served as an arbitrator and mediator in many different types of disputes.
In his health care/medical malpractice defense practice, Mr. Cummings has represented more than 1,000 physicians, dentists and nurses in malpractice suits before federal and state courts and in disciplinary and licensing proceedings before the state licensing boards. He also has defended lawsuits on behalf of a number of major Arizona hospitals, and has defended medical products manufacturers, distributors and retailers against products liability claims.
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 1984)
- Georgetown University (B.S.F.S., International Relations, with honors, Alpha Sigma Nu, Phi Alpha Theta, 1980)
Bar Admissions
- Virginia (1984, inactive)
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- S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia (1984)
- S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit (1984)
- District of Columbia (1985)
- Arizona (1986)
- S. District Court, District of Arizona (1988)
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (1988)
Joined Firm
May 2025
Past Employment
- Gust Rosenfeld P.L.C.
Professional Associations
- Maricopa County Superior Court, Judge Pro Tem, 1996-2012
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, 2007-present
- American Bar Association, Member
- Litigation Section
- Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
- Maricopa County Bar Association, Member
- Defense Research Institute, Member
- Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, Board of Directors, 2001-2005
- Arizona Board of Dental Examiners
- Committee on Legislation
- Committee on Complaint Procedure Reform
Honors and Awards
- AV® Preeminent™ rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
- The Best Lawyers in America® (Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants) 2007 – present
- Lawyer of the Year Phoenix (Personal Injury Litigation) 2021
- Lawyer of the Year Professional Malpractice Litigation 2022, 2024
- Southwest Super Lawyers® (Personal Injury Defense: Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury Defense: General, and Healthcare) 2008-present
- Top Lawyers List (Healthcare), Arizona Business Magazine, 2014
- AB Top Lawyer (Commercial Litigation), Arizona Business Magazine, 2008
- Top Lawyers, Phoenix Magazine, 2007
- Best of the Bar, The Business Journal, 2004
Published Works
- Author, “Risk Management in the Time of Coronavirus”, Risk Advisor published by Mutual Insurance Company of Arizona (December 2020)
- Quoted in Relias Media: https://www.reliasmedia.com/articles/146072-malpractice-risksduring-covid-19-really-enormous-for-ed-providers
- Author(s): Frederick M. Cummings, Paul G. Johnson, “The Four Paths of Dispute Resolution, ” (March 1, 2008)
Presentation Speeches
- Lecturer, “The Physician as Witness, American Education Institute (2021-2022)
- Speaker, “Medical Economics: How to prevent a malpractice lawsuit,” Medical Economics.com, January 7, 2020
- Presenter, Legal Considerations in Nutrition Care during the Patient Safety, Organizational
- Practices and the Legal System, ASPEN 2019 Nutrition Science & Practice Conference, March 25, 2019
- Speaker, “The Myth and Mysteries of Electronic Medical Records,” Arizona State Bar Convention, June 24, 2015
- Speaker, “Voir Dire: What to Expect that the Defense is Expecting,” Arizona Association for Justice/Arizona Trial Lawyers Association’s Fifty Shades of Voir Dire, Embassy Suites – Biltmore (May 17, 2013)
- Speaker, CNA Risk Management Conference, November 2010, April 2011
- Speaker, “New Horizons for Managing Risks,” Phoenix College (April 2010)
- Speaker, “Dealing with Difficult and Disruptive Doctors,” Arizona Society for Healthcare Risk Management, Francisco Grande Resort, Casa Grande, Arizona (November 14, 2008)
- Speaker, “Informed Consent, an Ethical Obligation and a Legal Requirement” Psi Omega Pi Behavioral Therapists/Counseling Honor Society at the University of Phoenix (November 1, 2008)
- Speaker, “New Legal Developments You Should Know to Manage Risks for your Emergency Department,” Arizona Society for Healthcare Risk Management Conference, Francisco Grande Resort and Conference Center, Arizona (September 12, 2008)
- Speaker, “Legal Challenges facing Health Care Practitioners” Mesa Community College (April 24, 2007 and April 15, 2008)
- Lecturer, Third Annual Quality Assurance/Risk Management Workshop for Clinical Faculty and Staff, Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, A.T. Still University (April 2007)
- Speaker, “Your Brave New World: Managing Risks in Your New Practice,” Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, A.T. Still University, Mesa, Arizona (April 12, 2007)
- Speaker, “Risk Management – An Attorney’s Perspective,” CNA HealthPro (April 2006, September 2006, March 2006 and September 2007)
- Speaker, “Drunks, Druggies and Crazies: Coping with Difficult Doctors, Patients, and Co-Workers,” Darwin Risk Management Conference, Phoenix, Arizona (September 11, 2007)
- Speaker, “Defending Yourself Before Licensing Boards and in Malpractice Litigation,” Phoenix College (April 2006)
- P 602.532.5604
- Phoenix, Arizona
- frederick.cummings@sandersparks.com
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