On Friday, December 12, 2025, Spotlight News reported that Colonie Town Justice Andrew Sommers will retire on December 28, concluding over two decades of service on the bench. Sommers, 69, has served five consecutive four-year terms after initially being appointed to the position in April 2005.
Sommers’ path to becoming a judge began unexpectedly when then-Judge Mary Sweeney informed him of her resignation and suggested he would be a suitable replacement. Prior to his judicial career, Sommers earned a law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1982 and practiced law alongside his father for 36 years at Sommers and Sommers until his father’s death in 2019.
In January 2022, Sommers was appointed senior town justice and court administrator by town Supervisor Peter Crummey, a role that expanded his responsibilities. Reflecting on his career, Sommers stated that he always applied the same standards to everyone who appeared before him in court. He also noted his record of having a low number of decisions reversed on appeal.
Crummey acknowledged Sommers’ commitment to administering justice and his recognition by legal and community organizations. Former town Judge Norman Massry, who retired a year prior, praised Sommers for his mentorship and dedication to fairness. Town Court Chief Clerk Mary Falace, who has worked alongside Sommers for 20 years, commended his impartiality, wisdom, and integrity.
Sommers said he will miss seeing defendants positively change their lives after appearing in his court. He recounted instances where individuals thanked him for helping them turn their lives around.
With his retirement, Sommers plans to continue practicing law. He also intends to dedicate time to his passion for music and songwriting.
The vacancy created by his departure will be filled by one of the three newly elected town judges from November’s election. Sommers’ advice to his successors is to “be fair.”
Source: Spotlight News
