We are committed to our clients, the community, and to each other.
We are proud to have client relationships that have lasted decades. We build on our experience by creating relationships with new clients, including entrepreneurs in new industries and businesses.
Our attorneys and staff give back to the community by being involved as leaders in numerous community organizations – from professional associations to cultural, civic and educational organizations.
We work as a team, and work hard to provide dependable, responsive, efficient and effective legal work. We attract and retain top legal talent, with our emphasis always on top quality client service.
Founders
Ed Anderson, Kirt Zeigler and Rob Disharoon founded Anderson Zeigler in 1982. They had each been members of the long-standing Spridgen law firm.
Mr. Anderson focused on estate planning and tax matters. He was a trusted counselor to many families and businesses, and was instrumental in clearing the way for Christo and Jean-Claude to bring The Running Fence to Sonoma and Marin Counties. He was honored by the Sonoma County Bar Association as a recipient of its valued Career of Distinction Award in 2003.
Mr. Zeigler advised a wide range of professionals and individuals on business and estate matters. Doctors, accountants, other lawyers and people in every type of business relied on his crisp guidance and advice. He was energetic in supporting education. Kirt was honored by the Sonoma County Bar Association as a recipient of the Career of Distinction Award in 2014.
Mr. Disharoon’s practice covered a broad range of estate planning, trust administration and business matters. He provided attentive guidance to ranchers, farmers, wineries, retail business owners, nonprofits, professionals, and many others. He was committed to supporting hospice.
Our founders have retired or passed away, but their client service and strong work ethic guide us and serve as the basis for our core values: Caring, Collaboration, Integrity, and Solutions.
Administrative Leaders
Marianne Leyva joined AZ in December of 2018. She assists Managing Director, Michael Shklovsky in overseeing the administrative and business operations of the firm.
AZ was proud to be recognized as a “Best Places to Work” by the North Bay Business Journal in 2017.
Recognition of Distinguished Careers
Peggy Elliott
Everyone who meets Peggy Elliott becomes a friend.
Although Peggy’s allegiance to her alma mater (Michigan – Go Blue!) was storied, her love and commitment to Sonoma County and to her clients ran even deeper. Peggy’s practice was focused on Estate Planning and Trust Administration and over the years she handled work for multiple generations of Sonoma County families and businesses. She excelled at complex estate tax matters.
Every client of Peggy’s was her favorite.
In addition to her practice, Peggy also gave much to the community: she was a long-time Board member of the Santa Rosa Symphony, and served on the Boards of numerous local non-profits. She has continued her volunteer work with 4Paws, visiting health care sites with her beloved Scottish Terriers, offering social therapy to those in need
Dave Bjornstrom
Dave Bjornstrom completed his successful, decades-long career with Anderson Zeigler in 2021.
Dave specialized in helping clients and their families with their tax, business and estate planning matters, including living trusts, and gifting to the next generation or to charity through the use of trusts and other techniques. He assisted families in trust or estate administration upon incapacity or death.
Dave and his family have deep roots in Sonoma County, and Dave is active in many local organizations.
Dave valued creating and maintaining interpersonal relationships with clients, and in creating clear and efficient planning of complex matters.
Don Black
After a career that spanned more than 40 years, Don retired in December of 2022.
Don came to Anderson Zeigler after being a long-time solo practitioner in Santa Rosa. Not only did he bring his tremendous experience as a real estate and business transactions lawyer to the firm, but he also readily shared his deep insights and knowledge. Don was always available to brainstorm with colleagues and enthusiastically serve as a mentor to the firm’s less practiced lawyers. We had no idea that a solo practitioner could be such a team player!
Don immediately made an impact on the firm’s culture and operations, becoming a co-managing director in 2016.
His enthusiasm for the practice of law and his excellence at problem solving served countless business clients in a wide range of matters from finance to employment law and complex real estate transactions. His practice also included a focus on the hospitality industry.
