Somach Simmons & Dunn | Attorneys at Law
Theresa Barfield is the managing shareholder of Somach Simmons & Dunn. She has two decades of experience litigating large, complex cases and has built an impressive record of success for clients using every aspect of litigation at her disposal, including courtroom trials, binding arbitrations and favorable settlements.
Theresa represents clients in all phases of civil litigation before state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, she advocates in state and federal administrative proceedings, bench trials, jury trials, writ proceedings, and alternative dispute resolution.
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 additionally represented Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) before the Santa Clara County Superior Court in the California Water Curtailment Cases (Byron-Bethany Irrigation District v. California State Water Resources Control Board, et al., Santa Clara Superior Court, Case No. 1-15-CV-285182, JCCP 4838), wherein the court recently issued a landmark water rights decision regarding the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) lack of jurisdiction over pre-1914 appropriators and the SWRCB’s violation of BBID’s constitutional due process rights. Theresa continues to represent BBID in the SWRCB’s pending appeal before the Sixth District Court of Appeal.
State of Texas v. State of New Mexico and State of Colorado, In the Supreme Court of the United States, Case No. 141, Original. Member of trial team representing the State of Texas in original jurisdiction proceeding before United States Supreme Court regarding enforcement of the Rio Grande Compact.
Byron-Bethany Irrigation District v. California State Water Resources Control Board, et al., Santa Clara Superior Court, Case No. 1-15-CV-285182 (JCCP 4838). Represent Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) before the Santa Clara County Superior Court in the California Water Curtailment Cases, wherein the court recently issued a landmark water rights decision in phase one of the proceedings regarding the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) lack of jurisdiction over pre-1914 appropriators and the SWRCB’s violation of BBID’s constitutional due process rights. Represent BBID in an enforcement action before the SWRCB, resulting in a dismissal of the complaint for the prosecution team’s failure to prove its case.
Monterey Coastkeeper v. Monterey County Water Resources Agency, Sixth Appellate District Court of Appeal, Case No. H042623. Draft Amici Curiae brief on behalf of the Association of California Water Agencies, the League of California Cities, and the California State Association of Counties in support of appeal by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, recognizing the vital interest in ensuring that public water agencies, cities, and counties managing waterways in California have clear guidance on their obligations under the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, Water Code section 13000 et seq.
Monterey Coastkeeper (Plaintiffs/Respondents) v. State Water Resources Control Board (Defendant/Appellant) and Grower Shipper Association of California (Intervenors/Appellants), Third District Court of Appeal, Case No. C080530. Draft appellate brief on behalf of farmers and growers in the Central Coast agricultural region regarding issues of critical importance to the future effective administration of California’s principal water quality statute, the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act.
