We are excited to announce that attorney Louinda V. Lacey has been elevated to the role of Shareholder at Somach, Simmons & Dunn. Louinda joined the firm in 2024 as Of Counsel and has been serving as an Appellate Strategist and Environmental Attorney to the firm’s clients for the past year. She also teaches as an adjunct faculty member at McGeorge School of Law, is a member of the Anthony M. Kennedy Inn of Court, and serves on the Board of Governors for California Women Lawyers and Board for Operation Protect and Defend.

“I’m thrilled to celebrate Louinda’s promotion,” said Managing Shareholder Theresa Barfield. “Louinda demonstrates sustained excellence in her legal practice, including her exceptional legal expertise and passion for environmental law, as well as an inspiring work ethic.  She approaches her practice with solution-oriented creativity, working collaboratively with clients and colleagues to achieve individualized success and thoughtful strategic outcomes. Louinda is also an adept leader with a demonstrated interest in mentoring and imparting her expertise to SSD’s next generation of lawyers. We look forward to collaborating with Louinda as her appellate and environmental practice grows and celebrating Louinda’s ongoing contributions to the firm’s success.”

Louinda earned her J.D. from McGeorge School of Law with a Certificate in Environmental Law while working full-time in real estate development for a Top 10 builder and simultaneously pursuing her MBA from California State University Sacramento. She graduated as Valedictorian of her law school class. After practicing and clerking at Sacramento-area environmental and real estate law firms, including Somach Simmons & Dunn, she launched her own firm dedicated to appeals, writs, and civil litigation. As a Policy Advocate for the California Chamber of Commerce, she further lobbied the Legislature, Governor’s Office, and administrative agencies on proposed legislation and regulations pertaining to environmental policy, housing and land use, and product regulation. She joined Hon. Ronald B. Robie’s chambers at the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District in 2017. In her role as lead appellate court attorney to Hon. Ronald B. Robie, Louinda learned the unique dynamics between presenting arguments at trial and on appeal.

Congratulations Louinda, and welcome to the partnership team!

Somach Simmons & Dunn is a midsize environmental and water law firm, with offices in California, Colorado, and the District of Columbia. The firm’s attorneys represent public and private sector clients across a range of water, air, and land disciplines, including litigation, transactional, and public policy matters.