Scott A.
Sommer

With more than 40 years of experience, Scott Sommer is one of the preeminent real estate, environmental, water, and land use litigators in California. He has tried approximately 100 cases in state and federal courts and has handled hundreds of administrative proceedings before federal, state, and local agencies in California.

Among Scott’s most notable matters is his nearly decade-long representation of the City of Rialto in litigation and regulatory efforts to remediate groundwater at a 160-acre site. The site, which was used to process bombs and ammunition during World War II and later to manufacture explosives and fireworks, was contaminated with perchlorate and various other contaminants. Scott’s efforts included obtaining a decision to add the site to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Priorities List of Superfund sites and extensive federal litigation.

Scott represents Orange County Water District (OCWD) in its efforts to remediate two plumes of groundwater contamination. In 2018, the EPA proposed listing the North Basin Groundwater Cleanup site on the National Priorities List. A remedial investigation and feasibility study commenced under a cooperative voluntary agreement between OCWD and EPA, resulting in successfully achieving the site’s status on the National Priorities List in 2020.

Scott’s other engagements include advising clients on environmental enforcement matters involving Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and the Clean Water Act and litigating eminent domain, real estate, land use, and title insurance disputes. In 2011, Scott successfully represented the Arch Diocese of San Francisco in a high-profile $22 million tax dispute with the City and County of San Francisco regarding property transfers.

Scott was previously an equity partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP and Miller, Starr, & Regalia LLP.