SAN FRANCISCO—Sonia Ransom, a partner in the local office of Allen Matkins, is highly regarded for her extensive land use experience and she is typically involved with multiple major development projects throughout CA at one time. In 2011 and 2013, Ransom was lucky enough to be on the panel of judges for Women of Influence award programs, and in considering the nominations, she was struck by how many truly accomplished women are involved in the industry and, of course, those nominated are just the tip of the iceberg, she says.

“It is a great thing for women and the industry as a whole that there are so many women with a myriad of skills and talents that many can't be honored,” she recently told Real Estate Forum. “People are unique and each person brings something unique to the table. In my opinion that's true, no matter what your gender is.”

Ransom was recently named in Real Estate Forum's Women of Influence Hallof Fame. With 22 years in the industry, she states that every time she gets a call from an existing client or a new one, she is honored to have been selected to represent them on a matter of importance to their company. Since many of her matters involve large complex entitlements, it is very rewarding that they entrust such important matters to her. She also appreciates that staff in many jurisdictions throughout California consider her a reliable communications conduit to her clients. Most recently, she was the lead land use lawyer representing Hillwood Development Co. LLC in the entitlement of the 1,770-acre development comprised of a golf course community with 364 high-end homes in an amazing natural setting in Simi Valley.