Wendel Rosen’s Patricia Curtin and Amara Morrison Named Real Estate Forum “Women of Influence”

Wendel Rosen LLP, the largest law firm in the East Bay representing businesses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and state, congratulates Land Use Partners Patricia E. Curtin and Amara L. Morrison for their selection to Real Estate Forum’s “Women of Influence” awards. Curtin and Morrison were recognized in the Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Legal Counsel of the Year category.

Since 1983, Real Estate Forum’s “Women of Influence” awards recognize commercial real estate professionals who have significantly influenced the market or had outstanding successes in the past year. The CRE Legal Counsel of the Year category celebrates attorneys in the commercial real estate space.

“Pattie and Amara simply know how to get real estate projects approved quickly and efficiently. They creatively and gracefully orchestrate elegant solutions to the most complex land use problems, and our clients and our firm are lucky to have them,” said Dan Rapaport, the firm’s managing partner. “This award is well deserved.”

Curtin brings more than 30 years of experience advising private and public sector clients on applicable planning and zoning laws, land use applications and project approvals. She works with landowners and developers of commercial, industrial, residential and agricultural property, including winegrowers, wineries and related businesses; shopping center owners; hotel/resort owners; educational institutions; and hospitals and other medical facilities. Curtin serves as legal counsel to ten Geologic Hazard Abatement Districts (GHADs), and she serves as board secretary to the California Association of GHADs. A former Planning Commissioner for the City of Lafayette, she is a member of the League of California Cities and the Building Industry Association of Northern California, and she is a board member of HomeAid Northern California. Curtin received her J.D. from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (1987) and her B.A. from California State University, Chico (1984).

Morrison has nearly 30 years of experience counseling Contra Costa public sector clients on matters involving  land use, zoning, development and redevelopment, environmental law, and resource protection and conservation. Prior to private practice, she was assistant city attorney for Livermore and Walnut Creek. She currently serves as co-general counsel to the Alameda County Transportation Commission and numerous Geologic Hazard Abatement Districts. Morrison is a member of CREW East Bay and just recently retired from the board of directors for Save Mount Diablo after nearly 25 years of service. Amara is now an active participant in the National Charity League, Vista Oak Chapter.  She received her J.D. and Masters of Environmental Law Studies, magna cum laude, from Vermont Law School (1987) and her B.S. from University of Michigan (1983).