Dean S. Sommer (Partner) concentrates on the litigation and/or negotiation of environmental and toxic tort matters addressing the release of hazardous substances, hazardous waste, petroleum and solid waste into the environment. ChambersUSA, in its 2004 Guide, stated that Mr. Sommer is "a noted litigator" whose "expertise is on show in Superfund, RCRA and CWA issues". In 2005 ChambersUSA noted that "the first name on the lips of commentators was that of 'innovative' Dean Sommer, who stands out for his 'completely refreshing approach'". He has been listed by Chambers USA in the top ten of New York environmental attorneys since 2003. He remains a top ranked attorney in Chambers in their 2008, 2009 and 2010 Guide. His clients include a mix of industry, municipalities and brown field developers and he provides both defense and plaintiff litigation services. Dean has been counsel for several brown-field projects throughout the Hudson Valley and Capitol District regions. He has significant "risk communication" and real estate due diligence experience.   Dean served as Section Chief of the Toxics Enforcement Unit in the Albany office of the State Attorney General's Office from 1983 until 1995. He served as a member of the transition team for Attorney General Eliot Spitzer in 1998. As an Assistant Attorney General, he was either the lead attorney or the supervising attorney on dozens of CERCLA, RCRA and CWA cases.