Poyner Spruill is pleased to announce that Stephanie Gumm and Cosmo Zinkow have been elected partners, effective January 1, 2026. After 15 years of combined military service and attending Campbell Law School together, Stephanie and Cosmo joined Poyner Spruill as litigators. Stephanie and Cosmo have now been elected as the firm’s newest partners, continuing the growth of Poyner Spruill’s talented team of Raleigh-based attorneys.
Stephanie Gumm focuses her practice on civil and commercial litigation.
Stephanie served eight years on active duty in the United States Army, which included three combat tours. She now represents clients in a wide variety of litigation matters in North Carolina’s state and federal courts, with a successful trial practice.
In recent years, Stephanie has tried several notable cases, including a contract dispute between a national insurance brokerage and an agent, the defense of a city against multimillion-dollar claims of stormwater damage, and multiple cases on behalf of a county department of social services.
Cosmo Zinkow focuses his practice on business disputes and appeals.
Cosmo spent seven years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps, which included multiple overseas deployments. After leaving the military in 2009, he then spent time in the private sector, serving as the director of technology for multiple companies.
Cosmo now represents businesses, government entities, and individuals in a wide range of civil lawsuits. He is also an active member of the firm’s appellate team. In that role, Cosmo has worked extensively on matters in both state and federal appellate courts. Before the U.S. Supreme Court, he has dealt with issues ranging from billion-dollar tax disputes, challenges to EPA guidance, the recovery of World War II era art, and copyright claims involving Blackbeard’s ship.
“Stephanie and Cosmo have long been integral members of our litigation team and firm in general,” said Poyner Spruill Managing Partner Dan Cahill. “I look forward to the leadership they will continue to bring to the firm as they step into their new roles.”
