Somach Simmons & Dunn provides a unique combination of experience in the fields of water, natural resources, environmental, public land, public agency, toxics and hazardous waste, litigation and appellate practice, and land development law for over 35 years. From its landmark work in the Klamath Basin, to representation of the State of Texas in interstate compact litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court, to enhancing economic vitality in California and throughout the western United States, the firm has remained at the forefront of its practice.
Firm attorneys are skilled and experienced in all phases of civil litigation before state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, the firm’s attorneys regularly represent clients in state and federal administrative proceedings, and before municipalities and other local agencies. Somach Simmons & Dunn attorneys work closely together to provide their private and public agency clients with the benefit of their collective experience, which comprises decades of private law firm practice, as well as prior positions at the federal, state, and local levels including: U.S. Department of the Interior; U.S. Department of Justice; U.S. Department of Agriculture; the U.S. Congress; and state Attorney General offices.
Somach Simmons & Dunn’s public sector clients include cities, counties, joint powers agencies, water and irrigation districts, and public utility districts. Private sector clients include development interests, water companies and other investor-owned utilities, farmers, ranchers, oil companies, small power producers, ski resorts, and non-profit associations comprised of water, sanitation, and agricultural interests. Somach Simmons & Dunn maintains a practice throughout California, as well as in Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, New Mexico, Wyoming and Texas. We assist clients in state capitals and Washington, D.C. With specific practice areas in nearly every environmental area of law, Somach Simmons & Dunn has built a powerhouse natural resources-focused law firm with a national reputation.
Somach Simmons & Dunn is notable for its creative approaches to delivering results on behalf of its clients. Firm attorneys provide practical advice. We negotiate with local, state, and federal regulatory agency personnel, and client adversaries, in order to develop workable solutions to difficult issues. When negotiation efforts are not successful, the firm is capable of employing all available options, including alternative dispute resolution and litigation, in order to obtain the best possible results for its clients.
About Theresa Barfield
Theresa Barfield is the managing shareholder of Somach Simmons & Dunn (2021 – present). She is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law with three decades of experience litigating large, complex cases, and an impressive record of success for her clients. She represents clients in all phases of civil litigation before state and federal courts, including the U.S. and California Supreme Courts. She also advocates in state and federal administrative proceedings, bench trials, jury trials, appellate and writ proceedings, and alternative dispute resolution. As a career litigator with Somach Simmons & Dunn, she leads the litigation team with a unique combination of experience in the fields of water rights, natural resources, environmental, public agency, toxic and hazardous contamination, civil tort, premises, personal injury and contract law.
Among her noteworthy work, Theresa is a member of the trial team representing the State of Texas in State of Texas v. State of New Mexico and State of Colorado, Case No. 141, Original, an original jurisdiction proceeding before United States Supreme Court regarding enforcement of the Rio Grande Compact. She also represented Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) before the Santa Clara County Superior Court in the California Water Curtailment Cases, wherein the court issued a landmark water rights decision.
About Ellen Moskal
Ellen is an associate with Somach Simmons & Dunn who represents both public and private clients on a broad range of environmental permitting and compliance issues, transactional matters, trial and appellate civil litigation, and administrative proceedings. She has particular expertise in advocating for her clients as they navigate California’s environmental regulatory framework, including by representing clients in complex administrative proceedings before the State Water Resources Control Board. Additionally, Ellen currently serves as assistant general counsel to several of the firm’s special district clients.
A native of the Central Valley, Ellen has a keen awareness of the challenges facing growers and water suppliers in the region. Outside of work, Ellen enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, trying new recipes, and cycling.
