Somach Simmons & Dunn

For businesses, public agencies, and individuals across California and the Western United States, the complex interplay of water rights, environmental regulations, and natural resource management is not just a legal challenge, but a fundamental aspect of life and commerce. Navigating these intricate areas requires highly specialized expertise and a deep understanding of evolving laws and policies. This article introduces Somach Simmons & Dunn, a premier law firm based in Sacramento, California, renowned for its unparalleled experience in water, natural resources, and environmental law. With a history of more than 30 years at the forefront of its practice, Somach Simmons & Dunn stands as a vital resource for locals seeking strategic counsel and effective representation in these critical fields.

Somach Simmons & Dunn's main office is centrally located in California's capital, at 500 Capitol Mall #1000, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA. This prime address ensures excellent accessibility for clients throughout the Sacramento metropolitan area and beyond. The Capitol Mall is a well-known and easily identifiable landmark, positioning the firm within a vibrant business district. For those traveling by car, the location offers convenient access to major roadways, with various parking options typically available in the vicinity. Public transportation, including bus routes and light rail, also serves this central area, making it easy for clients to reach the office without personal vehicle reliance. The firm also maintains offices in Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., highlighting their broad reach and ability to assist clients with multi-state and federal issues. This strategic positioning in Sacramento underscores Somach Simmons & Dunn's commitment to being readily available to serve the diverse and critical needs of California's water and natural resources sectors.

Somach Simmons & Dunn provides a unique combination of experience across a range of specialized legal services, primarily focused on water, natural resources, and environmental law. Their attorneys are equipped to handle complex transactional, regulatory compliance, and litigation matters for both public and private sector clients. Their key service areas include:

• Water Resources Law: This is a foundational practice area for the firm. They represent clients in matters related to:
  • Water Rights: Adjudication, acquisition, transfer, and defense of surface water and groundwater rights.
  • Water Transfers and Banking: Facilitating agreements for the sale, lease, or exchange of water.
  • Water Quality: Compliance with the Clean Water Act, Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and other state and federal water quality regulations.
  • Groundwater Management: Advising on sustainable groundwater management issues, including under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
  • Water Infrastructure Projects: Legal support for the development and operation of water supply projects.
• Natural Resources Law: Guiding clients through the legal framework governing the use and protection of natural resources, including:
  • Endangered Species Act (ESA): Compliance and litigation concerning threatened and endangered species.
  • Public Lands Law: Advising on issues related to federal and state public lands, including land use and resource development.
  • Forestry and Agricultural Law: Addressing legal matters specific to the timber industry and agricultural sector.
• Environmental Law & Policy: Comprehensive counsel on a broad array of environmental regulations and policies, such as:
  • Air Quality: Compliance with the Clean Air Act and California's stringent air pollution regulations.
  • Toxics and Hazardous Waste: Addressing issues related to hazardous waste management, site remediation (e.g., CERCLA/Superfund), and compliance with Proposition 65.
  • Environmental Impact Review (CEQA/NEPA): Guiding clients through the environmental review processes required for projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
  • Climate Change Law: Advising on emerging legal and regulatory issues related to climate change.
• Public Agency Law: Representing various public sector entities, including cities, counties, water and irrigation districts, and public utility districts, on governance, regulatory, and litigation matters specific to public agencies.
• Land Use and Land Development Law: Assisting developers and landowners with zoning, permitting, and other land use issues, often intertwined with environmental and water considerations.
• Civil Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution: Their attorneys are highly skilled in all phases of civil litigation before state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, and routinely represent clients in administrative proceedings and before local agencies. They also emphasize alternative dispute resolution when appropriate.

Somach Simmons & Dunn is consistently highlighted for its leadership, deep expertise, and client-focused approach in its specialized fields.

• Pioneering Expertise: With over 30 years of experience, the firm has been at the forefront of water, natural resources, and environmental law, handling landmark cases such as work in the Klamath Basin and representation before the U.S. Supreme Court in interstate compact litigation.
• Award-Winning Recognition: The firm and its attorneys consistently receive top-tier recognition. Somach Simmons & Dunn has been ranked among "Best Law Firms" by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® for Water Law (Tier 1 in Sacramento) for many years, also earning recognition in Natural Resources Law and Energy Law. Individual attorneys, such as Stuart Somach, are regularly recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers, including being named "Lawyer of the Year" in relevant categories.
• Unique Combination of Experience: The firm’s attorneys bring diverse backgrounds, including decades of private law firm practice and prior positions at federal, state, and local levels (e.g., U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of Justice), providing a multifaceted perspective.
• Creative and Practical Solutions: They are known for their "creative approaches to delivering results" and providing "practical advice." They effectively negotiate with regulatory agencies and adversaries to find workable solutions before resorting to litigation.
• Broad Client Base: Their client list includes a wide range of public sector entities (cities, water districts) and private sector interests (developers, farmers, energy companies, ski resorts), demonstrating their versatility and understanding of diverse client needs.
• Thought Leadership: Somach Simmons & Dunn actively contributes to the legal and policy dialogue through "Water Alerts," "Environmental Law & Policy Alerts," and news updates, keeping clients and the public informed about critical legal developments.
• Multi-Jurisdictional Practice: While rooted in California, the firm maintains a practice throughout the Western U.S. (Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Texas) and Washington, D.C., allowing them to address complex interstate and federal issues seamlessly.

As a highly specialized and well-established law firm, Somach Simmons & Dunn does not typically offer public "promotions" in the conventional consumer sense. Their primary "special offer" to clients comes in the form of unparalleled expertise and value-added resources within their niche. This includes:

• Proactive Information Sharing: The firm provides extensive, complimentary resources such as "Water Alerts," "Environmental Law & Policy Alerts," and detailed news updates on their website. These publications keep clients and interested parties informed about crucial legislative, regulatory, and judicial developments in water and environmental law, helping them stay ahead of compliance challenges.
• Educational Events: While not always free, the firm frequently hosts or participates in seminars and webinars, offering deep insights into complex topics that are invaluable for their target audience.
• Strategic Problem-Solving: Rather than simply litigating, the firm emphasizes negotiation and creative approaches to resolve difficult issues, aiming to develop "workable solutions" that may save clients time and resources compared to protracted legal battles.

These ongoing contributions to client knowledge and strategic problem-solving are integral to their service model, representing their commitment to providing continuous value beyond traditional billable hours for their specialized clientele in California and beyond.

To connect with Somach Simmons & Dunn for your water, natural resources, or environmental law needs in California, you can use the following contact information:

Address: 500 Capitol Mall #1000, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA

Phone: (916) 446-7979

Mobile Phone: +1 916-446-7979

You can also visit their official website, somachlaw.com, for more detailed information about their practice areas, attorneys, and resources. Their team is prepared to offer professional and discreet assistance for your complex legal matters.

For locals in California, especially those involved with water resources, natural resource management, or environmental compliance, Somach Simmons & Dunn is an exceptionally suitable and indispensable legal partner. The state of California faces unique and complex challenges related to water scarcity, environmental protection, and land use, making specialized legal expertise in these areas absolutely critical. Somach Simmons & Dunn’s decades of focused experience, including landmark cases and a deep understanding of both state-specific (like CEQA and SGMA) and federal regulations, positions them as a leading authority.

Their ability to represent a diverse range of clients—from public agencies managing essential resources to farmers, developers, and energy companies—means they understand the multifaceted perspectives and competing interests inherent in California’s natural resource landscape. The firm's commitment to providing proactive legal intelligence through their alerts and publications also empowers local clients to stay informed and anticipate regulatory changes. Ultimately, choosing Somach Simmons & Dunn means entrusting your critical water and environmental legal matters to a firm with a proven track record, recognized excellence, and a strategic location in the heart of California’s policy-making. They offer not just legal representation, but a partnership in navigating the complex legal currents that shape California's environment and economy.