Sonia Jean Ransom

· CREW-LA, President (2002 and 2002), board of directors (1996 - present)

· California State Bar Association

· CoreNet Global

· ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers)

· Los Angeles County Bar Association

· SPUR (San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association)

· The Association of Women in Water, Energy and Environment

· The Bar Association of San Francisco

· ULI (Urban Land Institute)

Accolades

· Selected as a Northern California Real Estate Woman of Influence Honoree (2011)

· Recognized by the Daily Journal as one of the Top 25 Land Use attorneys in California (2011)

· Recognized by Real Estate Forum as a Real Estate Woman of Influence nationally (2011, 2012)

· Named one of Real Estate Southern California's "Most Influential Women in Commercial Real Estate" (2003-2008)

· Inducted by Real Estate Southern California into its Women of Influence Hall of Fame (one of the first three women in California to be honored and the sole attorney), November 2008

· Honored by Commercial Real Estate Women - Los Angeles (CREW-LA) as a woman in real estate who has transformed the real estate landscape of Los Angeles

· Selected for inclusion in Northern California Super Lawyers (2012)

· Named one of California's Top 30 Real Estate Lawyers by the Daily Journal (2012)

Education

Sonia received a J.D. from Loyola Law School Los Angeles in 1992 and a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1988.

Matters

Representative Matters

Office

· Symantec Anti-Virus Headquarters (Culver City, California). Represented Symantec in entitling 550,000 square-foot office project on nine acre site. An EIR was prepared for this project.

· Bank of Montreal (Culver City, California). Represented financial institution in connection with the clarification of entitlements for a 12-story office tower on former redevelopment agency property and negotiation of amendment to disposition and development agreement clarifying obligations of financial institution after foreclosure.

· Cingular, Headquarters Project (Cerritos, California). Represented L.A. Cellular (now AT&T) in connection with an Owner Participation Agreement with the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Cerritos for development of a 500,000 square-foot, two-phase office development, providing for approximately $25 million of combined public assistance.

Residential

· Westgate Pasadena (Pasadena, California). Represented the Sares Regis Group and Equity Residential in the entitlement of approximately 1 million square feet of condominiums and apartments in Old Pasadena. An EIR was prepared for this project.

· Chadmar (Mammoth Lakes, California). Represented developer in connection with the development and entitlement of the Snowcreek Resort, which represents 25% of the remaining developable property in the Town of Mammoth Lakes. The Snowcreek Resort includes approximately 1,300 condominiums as well as a five star hotel, 18 hole golf course and other amenities.

· Chadmar (Marina, California). Represented developer in connection with entitlement of 1,050 homes on approximately 248 acres of former Fort Ord after 20 public hearings and 60 other community meetings. An EIR and two development agreements were prepared in connection with the entitlement of this project.

· MS Kearny Real Estate/Catellus (Los Angeles, California). Represented developer of Los Angeles Air Force Base modernization, entitlement of residential projects, at former Air Force Property including detachment of former base from El Segundo and its annexation into Hawthorne as well as its annexation into an amended redevelopment project area. An EIR and two development agreements were prepared for this project.

· Hillwood Development Company (Simi Valley, California). Represented developer in entitlement of 364 luxury residences, in part on an existing public golfcourse. An EIR was prepared for this project.

Mixed Use/Retail/Industrial

· Zelman Retail Partners (Burbank, California). Represented developer in entitlement of 100-acre mixed-use project on site of former aerospace facility, including CEQA compliance, drafted and negotiated development agreement and conditions of approval with the City of Burbank. Also drafted and negotiated "allocation" agreements with buyers of portions of the site, allocating rights and responsibilities under the development agreement and conditions of approval.

· Hollywood & Highland (Hollywood, California). Represented Trizec Properties, Inc. in connection with the disposition and development agreement for a 1.2 million square foot entertainment/retail/hotel/transit development, providing for approximately $100 million of public assistance, financed with parking revenue bonds, certificates of participation, and an Urban Development Action Grant.

· IKEA of North America (Covina, California). Represented IKEA in entitlement of 330,000 square-foot store in three and a half months. Although a mitigated negative declaration was prepared for this project, the CEQA compliance was extremely complex.

· Aeroterm (Ontario, California). Represented developer of cargo facilities in entitlement of approximately 1 million square foot cargo facility at Ontario Airport. An EIR was prepared for this project.

· Existing Santa Monica Hotel. Represented owners of an existing Santa Monica hotel for the last two and a half years repositioning their asset for sale by perfecting and clarifying existing entitlements, undergoing wildly controversial Development Agreement compliance review (during election season; preparing briefing materials for prospective buyers, numerous phone calls with prospective buyers and prospective buyers' counsel and facilitating meetings and calls between City officials and prospective buyers and their counsel. This process took place during the final years of Santa Monica's General Plan Update Process.

· New Santa Monica Hotel. Represented developer of a new mid-priced hotel in Santa Monica.

Publications

Videos

8/1/2011, Protecting and Perfecting Condominium Entitlements in a Down Economy

Article

6/1/2010, Revolving Doors: Developers are buying broken condo deals to rent the units. Buyer beware.
By Lynn A. Borkenhagen and Sonia J. Ransom in The Registry

8/5/2009, Vesting for All: The Top Five Reasons to Vest Your Entitlements in a Down Market
By Sonia Ransom in NAIOP

11/29/2004, Nine Tips for Managing the Entitlement Process
By Sonia J. Ransom in California Real Estate Journal

Legal Alert

6/8/2009, San Francisco's Amnesty Program for the Eastern Neighborhoods Planning Area: Does It Benefit You?

5/29/2009, City of San Diego Level 2 Drought Restrictions Will Impact Businesses and Residents
This alert applies to properties and businesses that operate in the City of San Diego.

Press & Media

10/19/2012, Women Leaders in Law: Sonia Ransom
Sonia J. Ransom in The Recorder

7/19/2012, 61 Allen Matkins Attorneys Named Among Super Lawyers 2012 and Rising Stars 2012
More Than 40 Percent of Firm's Partners Make the List

4/4/2012, Silicon Summit
Sonia J. Ransom in Real Estate Bisnow San Francisco

12/13/2011, Multifamily Fever - Coverage of San Francisco Multifamily Summit
Sonia Ransom in Bisnow

10/4/2011, Attorneys Recognized for their Significant Deals and Contributions to Women's Initiatives
Nancy Lundeen and Sonia Ransom of Allen Matkins to be Honored as 2011 Northern California Real Estate Women of Influence

10/16/2008, Sonia Ransom and Pamela Andes to be Honored At Women of Influence in Real Estate Awards Ceremony

10/1/2008, Women of Influence
Pamela Andes and Sonia Ransom

10/23/2007, Sonia Ransom Named Among 2007 Women of Influence in Real Estate

11/1/2006, Roundtable: Land Use Update
William R. Devine and Sonia J. Ransom in California Lawyer

Events

4/11/2013, Bisnow Multifamily Annual Conference West
Montage Beverly Hills
225 North Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, California
Speakers: Sonia J. Ransom

4/26/2012, Bisnow Silicon Valley Real Estate Summit
Marriott San Mateo
1770 South Amphlett Blvd.
San Mateo, California
Speakers: Sonia J. Ransom

2/16/2012, Redevelopment Briefing - Walnut Creek
Scott's Seafood Restaurant
1333 North California Boulevard
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Speakers: David H. Blackwell and Sonia J. Ransom

2/9/2012, Redevelopment Briefing - San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Speakers: David H. Blackwell and Sonia J. Ransom

12/8/2011, Bisnow San Francisco Multifamily Summit
Mark Hopkins Intercontinental Hotel, No. 1 Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA
Speakers: Sonia J. Ransom

10/4/2011, The Final Frontier, a Seminar on Women as Entrepreneurs in Commercial Real Estate
Omni San Francisco
500 California Street
San Francisco,California 94104
Speakers: Sonia J. Ransom

10/4/2011, 2011 Northern California Real Estate Women of Influence - Award Luncheon
Omni Hotel
500 California Street
San Francisco, California
Speakers: Sonia J. Ransom and Nancy Lundeen

5/25/2011, Accommodating Google's Growth: War Stories/Lessons Learned-Mountain View Acquisitions
Association of Corporate Counsel and San Francisco Bar Association
Santa Clara, California
Speakers: Sonia J. Ransom and Lee A. Edlund

3/30/2011, Allen Matkins Multifamily Trends Conference
Fairmont Newport Beach
4500 MacArthur Boulevard
Newport Beach, California
Speakers: Lynn A. Borkenhagen, John C. Condas, Paul D. O'Connor and Sonia J. Ransom

3/10/2011, San Francisco - Land Use, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Briefing
Mandarin Oriental, Library Room
222 Sansome Street
San Francisco, California
Speakers: Sonia J. Ransom, Sandi L. Nichols and James T. Burroughs

3/2/2011, Palo Alto - Land Use, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Briefing
Scott's Seafood
855 El Camino Real # 1
Palo Alto, California
Speakers: Sonia J. Ransom, Sandi L. Nichols and James T. Burroughs

10/7/2010, Business Law Developments Breakfast Briefing - San Francisco
Le Meridian Hotel
333 Battery Street
San Francisco, California
Speakers: Keith P. Bishop, David D. Cooke, Baldwin J. Lee, D. Stanley Rowland, Mark J. Seifert, Marshall C. Wallace and Sonia J. Ransom

2/3/2010, Multifamily Affordable Housing Briefing - San Francisco
Allen Matkins
San Francisco, California
Speakers: David H. Blackwell and Sonia J. Ransom

1/26/2010, Multifamily Affordable Housing Briefing - Orange County
Shady Canyon Country Club
Irvine, California
Speakers: John C. Condas, William R. Devine and Sonia J. Ransom

1/21/2010, Multifamily Affordable Housing Briefing - Los Angeles
Allen Matkins
Los Angeles, California
Speakers: John C. Condas, Patrick A. Perry and Sonia J. Ransom

6/3/2009, 2009 Northern California Real Estate Women of Influence - Award Luncheon
San Francisco City Club
155 Sansome St, Ste 950
San Francisco, California
Speakers: Andrea L. Clay, Nancy Lundeen and Sonia J. Ransom

5/4/2009 - 5/8/2009, California Redevelopment Association Redevelopment Institute
Crowne Plaza Anaheim Resort
12021 Harbor Boulevard
Garden Grove, California 92840
Speakers: Sonia J. Ransom

4/23/2009 - 4/24/2009, CREW California Conference
Westin St. Francis
335 Powell Street
San Francisco, California
Speakers: Andrea L. Clay, Nancy Lundeen and Sonia J. Ransom