Zakiya J. Norton is a true rarity, a Bay Area native. She grew up in the South Bay but decided warm weather, blue skies, and temperate winters were unsatisfactory and attended college in upstate New York. After enduring several winters in Oneonta, NY and earning her B.A., Zakiya felt the unmistakable pull of her home state. She returned to California to attend law school at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento.
Early Legal Career and Litigation Experience
After law school, Zakiya moved to Las Vegas where she passed the Nevada Bar and practiced at a civil litigation firm handling a wide range of practice areas. During this time, she embraced her role as a litigator and developed a strong understanding of effective client advocacy, learning when, where, and how to advocate for clients to achieve the best results.
Return to California and Founding Her Firm
After starting her family, the pull of California proved irresistible. Zakiya moved back to the Bay Area and took on the challenge of studying for the California Bar while raising a young child. While searching for a meaningful associate position that would also allow her to spend time raising her daughter, she began volunteering with Bay Area Legal Aid. Community service has always been important to Zakiya, and the organization aligned perfectly with her values. During her time there, she met her future business partner, Somita Basu. Before long, the two decided to start their own firm together.
Estate Planning Philosophy and Client Approach
Zakiya brings both strategic insight and careful attention to detail to her legal work. While she has a strong background in litigation, she also possesses a keen understanding of the complexities and potential pitfalls of estate planning. She recognizes that while many options are legally possible, they are not always practical. Zakiya ensures that estate planning documents clearly communicate a client’s wishes while allowing enough flexibility to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
Compassionate Client Advocacy
Drawing on her extensive legal experience, Zakiya advises estate planning and probate clients with a thoughtful and practical approach. She is known for balancing professionalism with compassion, kindness, and a sense of humor, helping clients navigate important legal decisions with confidence and clarity.
Community Involvement and Leadership
Zakiya remains deeply committed to serving her community. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Cancer CAREpoint, a Bay Area nonprofit organization that provides valuable services free of charge to cancer patients and their families. She also serves as a Special Liaison to the California Lawyers Association Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
Professional Memberships
Zakiya is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Silicon Valley Bar Association, the Santa Clara County Black Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, and Black Women Lawyers of Northern California. She also participates in the California Lawyers Association Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
Education and Practice Areas
Zakiya earned her J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California, and is admitted to practice law in California. Her practice focuses on estate planning and related matters, including advanced health care directives, conservatorships, death taxes, durable powers of attorney, estate administration, estate planning for women, living trusts, probate, probate and trust litigation, trust administration, and wills.
Awards and Recognition
Zakiya has received several honors recognizing her excellence in the legal profession, including Lawyers of Distinction, Top 10% of Lawyers in the United States, as well as National Black Lawyers Top 100 and Top 40 Under 40. She is fluent in English.
