At a Glance
Sonia serves as city attorney for the City of Santa Ana.
She advises on all aspects of municipal law, but focuses on land use, ethics, open government and elections law.
She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.
Sonia R. Carvalho is a partner in the Municipal Law practice group of Best Best & Krieger LLP. She serves as city attorney for the City of Santa Ana. She also served as city attorney of Claremont (1999-2017), Azusa (1998-2012), Colton (1998-2001) and Yorba Linda (2001-2010).
As general counsel to municipal corporations, Sonia advises on all aspects of municipal law, but focuses on land use, ethics, open government and elections law.
Sonia is a frequent speaker on topics related to ethics, the Brown Act and land use issues. She instructs on various Continuing Education of the Bar land use and real estate courses, and writes and speaks on the topic of medical marijuana and land use regulation.
Sonia is a co-chair of BB&K's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. During law school, she served as editor-in-chief of the Chicano-Latino Law Review.
Education
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University of California, Los Angeles School of Law J.D.
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University of California, Irvine, B.A. cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
- California
Awards
- Southern California Super Lawyers, State, Local and Municipal, 2009, 2011, 2014-2023
- Top Women Lawyers, The Daily Journal, 2021
- Municipal Law Lawyer of the Year in Orange County, Best Lawyers®, 2020, 2023
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Land Use and Zoning Law and Municipal Law, 2016-2023
- Municipal Law Lawyer of the Year in Irvine, Best Lawyers®, 2020
- Orange County’s top lawyers, OC Metro magazine, 2009
Community Involvement
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West End Legal Aid Clinic (volunteer legal services)
- “The Role of City Attorneys: BB&K Municipal Law Attorneys Discuss on the Air” BBKnowledge, March 20, 2015
