For the eighth year in a row, Young, Sommer...LLC is ranked by Chambers USA as one of the top six environmental firms in New York State!

Read what the 2010 Chambers USA guide says about us:

THE FIRM This Albany-based boutique is lauded for its wide-ranging coverage of environmental matters, including those involving government relations and permitting issues.  It is particularly well regarded for its representation of municipalities, although its client base covers a wide variety of companies, land developers and individuals.  In recent times, it has represented a number of wind developers in negotiations with the State Attorney General's office concerning an industry-wide code of conduct. Sources say: "An excellent firm that's regularly involved in New York State's most significant projects."  KEY INDIVIDUALS Dean Sommer receives accolades for his extensive experience and the high quality of his work.  He handles environmental and toxic tort disputes relating to hazardous substance, petroleum and solid waste contamination issues.  Kevin Young is praised for his comprehensive knowledge of environmental and land use regulations. His clients include a number of municipalities, manufacturing facilities and developers.

Read what the 2009 Chambers USA guide says about us:

Lauded by clients for its "prompt service, quick responses and brilliant knowledge of impending environmental issues," this Albany-based boutique has a varied practice. The recent amendments to the New York brownfield law have made upstate development a more attractive prospect for clients, and the team is currently utilizing its copious experience of brownfield development to handle this emerging stream of work. The group also advises on the environmental angles of infrastructure projects - notably wastewater treatment plants - and has a burgeoning wind energy practice. Toxic tort and environmental enforcement defense account for a substantial portion of the group's work, and it also handles environmental due diligence in corporate transactions. Dean Sommer devotes his time to defending companies in toxic tort cases and contract litigation, but is also well versed in pollution issues. The group is renowned for its representation of municipalities on a wide range of environmental matters, including RCRA, CERCLA and air and water regulation. Kevin Young acts for more than 20 municipalities and manufacturing facilities on such issues, and also advises on new source review standards, regulatory reform, wetlands and Superfund and brownfield litigation. Uniquely, the department also has a team dedicated to advising citizen groups on environmental matters. 

Read what the 2008 Chambers USA guide says about us:

The Firm: Clients describe this as "an extraordinarily committed team which takes work seriously - its responses are never half-hearted." Combining "an encyclopedic knowledge of the law and how the agencies apply it" with "a determination to get the best possible result," this Albany-based boutique applies its expertise to all sorts of environmental matters. Extremely active in wind energy projects and brownfield development, the firm is considered especially strong in toxic tort defense and defending companies against pollution claims, particularly claims involving petroleum. The firm also has a small group dedicated to opposition work.
The Lawyers: Clients heaped praise on the "savvy, bright and energetic"  Dean Sommer for his "marvelous relationship with the regulatory agencies and seasoned understanding of both federal and state law." His "creative style" enables him "to come up with common-sense solutions that create a win-win situation for both sides." Sommer focuses on brownfield development and enforcement defense.  Kevin Young is "a master at understanding the regulatory side of things." He advises multiple municipalities and manufacturing facilities on statutes such as CERCLA, RCRA and air, water and wetlands regulations.

Read what the 2007 Chambers USA guide says about us:

The Firm:  This Albany-based firm has won a broad base of clients, particularly in upstate New York, by keeping its legal fees affordable and providing a range of environmental services from environmental compliance and remediation to litigation.  The practice group was recently involved in reaching an agreement with the State of New York with regard to the final remediation of a former landfill site via a program of creative closure of former landfills, by transforming the properties into habitat areas and sustainable green open space.  Clients highlight the firm's lawyers as "very good team players who are not looking to generate billable hours but trying to assist the client in a cost-effective manner."  The group also wins plaudits for its "fantastic client advocacy and very solution-oriented approach." 
The Lawyers:  Dean Sommer has been heavily involved in a number of brownfield remediation and cleanup actions in upstate New York.  Of late, he has been leading a brownfield working group in the drafting of a reform report for the transition team for the new state governor.  Peers praise Sommer's "outstanding knowledge and experience of Superfund cases," while clients appreciate his "ability to give a straight opinion and think outside of the box."
Clients/Work Highlights:  The firm's clients include Fortune 500 companies; many smalller companies; municipalities; land developers and individuals.

Here's what the 2006 Chambers USA guide said about us:

The Firm: Interviewees remarked that Young Sommer has captured the upstate New York market and is now expanding into New York. A growing practice of 14 attorneys offers clients "fantastic advocacy and an extremely responsive and solution-oriented" service. The firm’s development of a model to keep legal fees affordable while providing quality service appears to be working. Clients frequently referred to the firm’s reasonable costs and effective service. The practice’s environmental expertise is right across the board, covering air, bulk storage, power generation, Superfund and permitting issues to name but a few. However, its work for municipalities and public interest cases involving environmental issues also distinguishes it from the crowd.
The Lawyers: Dean Sommer is an illustrious litigator with experience of both defendant and plaintiff litigation. He also has a fine Superfund practice and wide experience of brownfield matters. He recently served as counsel to Union College and several private developers to redevelop brownfield properties in areas of Schenectady, New York. "Pragmatic and efficient," Kevin Young has an excellent reputation as a regulatory lawyer. Clients note that he excels in strategizing and has "excellent contacts with the regulatory agencies." Work highlights include representing a coalition of 36 towns and three counties in a controversial Department of Environmental Conservation adjudicatory permit proceeding regarding New York City’s discharge from the Shandaken Tunnel.
Clients/Work Highlights: National Grid; GE; Union College; Remington Arms; Keymark and Delaware Engineering.

Here's what the 2005 Chambers USA guide said about us:

The Firm: A "good bench" of attorneys keeps this Albany practice high in the estimation of others, with clients reporting that it is an "absolute pleasure" doing business with them. Chambers' research indicates the firm has broken through the cordon erected by some of the larger and better-established firms to take its place as a serious force in the market. From Superfund and site cleanup to zoning and permitting, Young Sommer is commonly brought in to handle certain specialist environmental aspects beyond the scope of other firms. Work for municipalities and on public interest issues enhances the firm's growing profile as an "interesting" alternative to larger firms.                                                                                                                                                         
The Lawyers: The first name on the lips of commentators was that of "innovative" Dean Sommer, who stands out for his "completely refreshing" approach. A noted litigator, his expertise is on show in Superfund, RCRA and CWA issues. A robust negotiator, too, clients say he "gives straight opinions and tells us the unvarnished truth…which is the best way." Having spent time working at the state Attorney General's office, Sommer boasts a wealth of local contacts.Kevin Young is described by clients as "extraordinarily bright." His regulatory compliance expertise covers many fields from solid waste through clean air to wetlands.         
The Clients: GE; Union College; GasLand Petroleum; National Grid USA and Norlite.

Here's what the 2004 Chambers USA Guide said about us:

The Firm: According to the market, this is "a good Albany firm" with a solid client base. The team handles a range of environmental regulatory and litigation work, giving advice on pesticides, clean air and water acts, historic preservation, hazardous and solid waste, wetlands, Superfund matters and insurance coverage. It represents a number of regulated facilities in the State of New York.
The Lawyers: Dean Sommer...is the firm’s best known environment partner. An "enormously creative attorney, with a strong knowledge of environmental law," he assists both defendants and plaintiffs on litigation in areas like the release of hazardous waste, petroleum and other substances into the environment.
The Clients: GE; Union College; GasLand Petroleum; Mercury Waste Solutions and Onondaga Nation.

Here's what the 2003-2004 Chambers USA Guide said about us:

The Firm: "A major player upstate," this Albany-based boutique was described to researchers as an active and value-for-money concern. Taking on a broad range of cases, the ten-strong group is best known for regulatory counseling. The areas in which it has particular experience include hazardous and solid waste, air, water, wetlands issues and historic preservation.
The Lawyers: Renowned for his litigation skills, Dean Sommer has a respected track record in defending clients in enforcement cases.
The Clients: A varied client portfolio includes Fortune 500 companies, smaller businesses, developers and municipalities.