Business Details
31 Years
experience
Your Trusted Environmental Law Partner in Sacramento, CA
Somach Simmons & Dunn has served clients across the western United States for over 30 years, specializing in water, natural resources, and environmental law. Our attorneys have handled landmark cases, including representation of the State of Texas in U.S. Supreme Court litigation and work in the Klamath Basin, advancing solutions that balance economic vitality with environmental stewardship. We combine decades of private practice experience with prior roles in federal, state, and local agencies, including the U.S. Department of the Interior and state Attorney General offices. Our team provides comprehensive legal counsel for transactional, regulatory compliance, and litigation matters, serving public sector clients like cities and water districts, as well as private sector clients including developers, farmers, and energy companies. With offices in California, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., we deliver strategic advocacy in state capitals and federal venues nationwide.Our practice spans environmental review, endangered species, land use, toxics and hazardous waste, and water quality law, maintaining a national reputation for resolving complex legal challenges. We prioritize practical advice, negotiating with regulatory agencies to develop workable solutions, while remaining prepared to employ litigation when necessary. Our attorneys have defended high-profile cases under the Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act, and we actively contribute to shaping policy and regulations through rulemaking processes. We serve as general or special counsel to local governments, providing expertise in public agency law, employment issues, and compliance with statutes like the Brown Act. Our commitment to client success is reflected in our strategic affiliations and a track record of achieving favorable outcomes in appellate courts and original jurisdiction disputes.
Services
Agriculture Law
Air Quality
Endangered Species Act
Land Use
Litigation and Appellate Practice
Local Government Law
Toxics and Hazardous Waste
Water Resources
Water Quality
Environmental Review
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of experience in water and environmental law.
- Our attorneys have represented clients in U.S. Supreme Court litigation.
- We combine private practice expertise with federal and state agency experience.
- We serve as general counsel to numerous local government agencies.
- Our team actively shapes environmental policy through regulatory rulemaking.
Services
Water Resources Law
Our water resources practice addresses legal challenges related to water rights, allocation, and management across multiple states. We represent clients in administrative proceedings, state and federal courts, and U.S. Supreme Court litigation. Our attorneys develop strategies for water supply agreements, interstate compacts, and regulatory compliance while balancing environmental protection with client needs.
Endangered Species Act
We provide comprehensive representation for clients navigating federal and state endangered species regulations. Our services include habitat conservation planning, critical habitat designation consultations, and defense against citizen suit provisions. We help clients obtain incidental take authorizations and develop Safe Harbor Agreements to ensure regulatory certainty while protecting biodiversity.
Environmental Review
We guide clients through California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance for public and private projects. Our team prepares environmental impact reports, negotiates mitigation measures, and litigates environmental review cases. We focus on streamlining approvals while addressing water quality, land use, and natural resources impacts.
Local Government Law
We serve as general and special counsel to cities, counties, and special districts, providing expertise in public agency governance, Brown Act compliance, and employment law. Our services include advising on rate setting, public records requests, and environmental regulations affecting local governments while addressing both day-to-day operations and specialized legal needs.
Toxics and Hazardous Waste
Our practice helps businesses navigate complex toxic and hazardous waste regulations, including CERCLA defense and underground storage tank cleanup. We provide strategic counsel on regulatory compliance, cost-benefit analyses for contamination cases, and litigation defense while minimizing business disruption from environmental enforcement actions.
Questions
What areas of law does Somach Simmons & Dunn specialize in?
We specialize in water law, environmental law, natural resources law, land use, toxics and hazardous waste, and local government law across the western United States.
Do you represent both public and private sector clients?
Yes, we represent cities, counties, water districts, and other public agencies, as well as private clients including developers, farmers, and energy companies.
In which states do you practice law?
Our practice spans California, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Washington, D.C., with additional federal court representation nationwide.
Can you handle complex litigation matters?
Yes, our attorneys have extensive litigation experience, including U.S. Supreme Court cases, appellate practice, and complex environmental and water rights disputes.
How does your firm approach environmental compliance?
We combine proactive compliance strategies with regulatory expertise to help clients navigate CEQA, NEPA, Clean Water Act, and endangered species regulations while advancing project goals.
Do you provide general counsel services to local governments?
Yes, we serve as general and special counsel to numerous local agencies, providing comprehensive legal support on governance, employment, and environmental compliance matters.
