Brett Sommermeyer JD MPA
EDUCATION
Columbia University
School of International and Public Affairs
New York, NY May 2010
Master of Public Administration - Environmental Science & Policy
Lewis and Clark College
Northwestern School of Law
Portland, OR 1995
Juris Doctor and Certificate in Natural Resources and Environmental Law
Duke University
Durham, NC 1990
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Collective relevant coursework: Administrative Law · Applied Earth Systems Management ·
Climatology · Ecology · Environmental Chemistry · Environmental Economics · Environmental
Enforcement · Environmental Ethics · Environmental Policy · Federal Native American Law ·
GIS · Hazardous Waste Law · Hydrology · International Environmental Relations · Natural
Resources Law · Nonprofit and Public Financial Management · Public Management · Statistics ·
Water Law · Wildlife Law
EMPLOYMENT
ConBio Consulting, LLP
lincoln City, OR
2010 – Present
Principal
• Assisting Global Insular Conservation Society in formulating conservation strategies for
Bahamas National Trust related to West Indies rock iguanas and the establishment and
protection of national park areas
• Developed and implemented surveys on isolated Bahamian islands to assess population
size, habitat preferences and threats to critically endangered West Indies rock iguanas
• Successfully represented Greater Yellowstone Coalition before Idaho Department of Water
Resources in opposition to application to appropriate and store water for irrigation and
hydropower from Bear River in southeastern Idaho (Final Administrative Order Denying
Application issued October 18, 2012)
• Organized and coordinated protestant group composed of non-profits and private interests
aligned against hydropower project that would destroy the last free-flowing stretch of Bear
River, wipe out critical habitat, and terminate irreplaceable recreational opportunities
Betts Patterson & Mines
Seattle, WA
2010 – Present and 2006 – 2009
Environmental Attorney (currently Of Counsel)
• Advised invertebrate conservation group in successful effort against United States Fish and
Wildlife Service to limit proposed pesticide spraying on National Wildlife Refuge
• Providing remote representation to clients litigating matters involving administrative actions
brought by United States Environmental Protection Agency and state environmental
agencies
Wildlife Conservation Society
Bronx, NY 2010
Intern, Office of the President
• Analyzed trends in domestic and international markets for land-based carbon offsets in
connection with Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)
projects
• Proposed development strategies for REDD offsets in voluntary carbon market
The Nature Conservancy – New York, NY 2010
Consultant
• Investigated patterns of population, land use, consumption, and income levels in regions
surrounding The Nature Conservancy’s major national and international projects
• Worked with client team using GIS mapping and statistical analysis to document
conservation threats and to recommend potential solutions
Gordon & Polscer LLP
Seattle, WA and Portland, OR
2004 – 2006 and 1998 – 2000
Environmental Coverage Attorney
• Represented insurers in lawsuits involving environmental remediation
• Responsible for written and oral discovery, drafting dispositive motions, coordinating
strategy among counsel, working with environmental engineers, meeting with state agency
officials, and advising clients regarding case strategy and settlement value
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Global Insular Conservation Society
Seattle, WA 2014
• Member, Board of Advisors
Oregon Wild
Portland, OR 2011 - Present
• Board of Directors (Elected Vice President, May 2013)
• Chair of Development Committee
• Provided advice concerning Oregon wolf litigation
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Newport, OR 2011 - Present
• AAUS Scientific Diver involved in Marine Reserve invertebrate and fish surveys and
investigations of sea star wasting syndrome
• Participant in Interpretive Diving Program to assist in raising awareness regarding plight of
sharks through underwater presentations to aquarium visitors
Keystone Conservation
Bozeman, MT 2010 - Present
• Member of Board of Directors (President 2011-2013)
Progressive Animal Welfare Society – Seattle, WA 2008 – 2009
• Wildlife Care Assistant at PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Puget Sound Keepers Alliance – Seattle, WA 2003 – 2004
• Assessed NPDES permit compliance
• Evaluated potential citizen suits related to storm water discharge permit violations
PUBLICATIONS AND WRITTEN WORK
• Pruett, C. and B. Sommermeyer. 2010. Multijurisdictional wildlife management in the
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem – assessment and recommendations for a more cohesive
approach to conservation planning.
• Sommermeyer, B. 2009. Feeding an ethical dilemma: controversy at the National Elk
Refuge.
• Sommermeyer, B. 2009. Biological criteria: a road not taken.
• Polscer, D. and B. Sommermeyer. 2000. Investigation by the insurer. Law and Practice of
Insurance Coverage. Westgroup & ABA.
• Gordon, T. and B. Sommermeyer. 1999. Streamlining inter-carrier cost allocation through
arbitration. Understanding Allocation. Defense Research Institute.
PRESENTATIONS
• Individual Presentation: Comparative environmental law and policy between United States
and European Union concerning management of anadromous fish species, with a focus on
the challenges to migration posed by hydroelectric power projects. Secretariat for the
International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River, United Nations
Headquarters, Vienna, Austria, May 2013.
• Panel Presentation. Does foreign aid prevent sustainable development? Microeconomics
and Policy Analysis II. Columbia University, New York, NY. April 28, 2010.
• Panel Presentation. U.S. wind subsidies, shifting to a clean energy economy.
Microeconomics and Policy Analysis I. Columbia University, New York, NY. December 2,
2009.
• Paper Presentation. H.R. 669, Non-Native Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act:
recommendations for effective performance management in fulfilling statutory mandates and
objectives. Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management. Columbia University, New
York, NY. November 4, 2009.
• Panel Presentation. Tragedy at Mann Gulch: an analysis of the root causes and
recommendations for improved operational team management. Public Management.
Columbia University, New York, NY. October 29, 2009.
• Panel Presentation. Bush Terminal: a threat assessment and proposal for salt marsh site
rehabilitation. Ecology and Biodiversity. Columbia University, New York, NY. August 10,
2009.
• Panel Presentation. A toxicological risk assessment of sushi consumption and PCBs.
Environmental Toxicology. Columbia University, New York, NY. July 30, 2009.
• Paper Presentation. H.R. 669, Non-Native Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act: a
comprehensive summary of the proposed legislation. Workshop in Applied Earth Systems
Management. Columbia University, New York, NY. June 10, 2009.
