Dennis Sandoval

Dennis Sandoval

Dennis broke his neck and back in a car accident in 1992. As a result of his injuries, he was left paralyzed. The experiences he gained as the result of his injuries are invaluable in his work with the disabled and senior communities. He has first hand experience in dealing with the physical and emotional aspects of having a disability and how the system works for those requiring care.

Dennis Sandoval is the only attorney in California that has certifications in the three areas of estate planning, elder law and taxation. He received his Certified Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Specialist designation from the California Bar Board of Legal Specialization in 1998. He received his Certified Taxation Law Specialist designation from the same organization in 2000 and he became a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) in 2004, after passing all the requirements established by the National Elder Law Foundation.  Dennis also recently received the Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) designation from the national Association of Estate Planners and Councils.  In addition to these four certifications, he also has a Master of Law Degree (LL.M.) in Taxation Law, which he received cum laude from Golden Gate University College of Law. He received his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree cum laude from Western State University College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from California State University at Fullerton.

Before becoming an attorney, Mr. Sandoval owned a tax planning / preparation and financial planning firm in Orange, California. During the time he practiced in this area he received his Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Registered Financial Consultant (RFC) and Enrolled Agent (EA) designations. Although Dennis longer practices as a financial planner, the knowledge and experience he gained during this time is invaluable in assisting him with the planning of his clients estates, as well as working with a client’s other financial advisors.

In addition to overseeing his estate planning, elder law and tax law practice in Riverside, California, Dennis serves as the Director of Education for the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA), a nationwide membership organization of attorneys specializing in estate planning. He was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and is beginning the second year of his term as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), the non-profit organization that administers the CELA designation.  He is the 2008 / 2009 President of the Southern California Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).

Dennis is one of only six California members of the Special Needs Alliance, a nationwide membership organization of attorneys interested in advancing the care of special needs persons through proper planning.  Dennis is also a member of the Riverside County Bar Association (he was the 2003 / 2004 chairperson of its Estate Planning Section), the California Bar Association (where he is a member of the Estate Planning and Taxation Law Sections) and the American Bar Association (where he is a member of its Probate, Trust and Real Property and Taxation Law Sections).  Dennis is also a member of the Riverside County Estate Planning Council.  He formerly served as chairperson of NAELA’s Advanced Education Committee and sat on the steering committee for NAELA’s Tax Law Special Interest Group.

Sandoval Legacy Group, A Professional Law Corporation, is also a charter member of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association (LCPLFA).  The LCPLFA is a nationwide membership organization of law firms that employ social workers and geriatric care managers as part of a holistic team of professionals to assist frail elders and disabled persons get the highest quality of care.  Sandoval Legacy Group, A PLC, is the only law firm in the Inland Empire with a social worker on its staff.  The law firm was also a charter member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners.

Mr. Sandoval is an adjunct professor at Chapman University College of Law, where he teaches various classes for their Master of Tax Law (LL.M.) program.  He previously taught various classes at Western State University College of Law, the Wills and Trust class at California Southern Law School and various attorney legal education courses for the University of California at Riverside Extension.  Mr. Sandoval frequently conducts educational seminars for the general public.  He also conducts continuing education seminars for financial and health care professionals.  His classes for professionals and the general public consistently get high praise from the attendees.

Dennis grew up in Riverside, California, where he attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help grade school and Notre Dame High School.  He was active in many sports, lettering in football and wrestling.  His hobbies include building wooden model ships, photography (above ground and underwater), maintaining saltwater aquariums, sailing and scuba diving.  He lives in Norco, California with his wife and three girls, along with their menagerie of pets.

Megan Boling

Megan Boling

Dennis first met Megan Boling when she sought his assistance with getting her father-in-law on Medi-Cal and SSI after he had suffered a massive stroke.  Dennis was so impressed with her organization skills and how she fought to get the highest level of care for her father-in-law, that he offered her a job as his first paralegal.

Megan has many skills that make her a great paralegal, but probably her greatest attributes are her contagious upbeat attitude and diligence in caring for clients.

Megan is licensed as a Notary Public for the State of California. She is a member of the Inland Counties Association of Paralegals and she is currently nearly completion of her paralegal studies certificate program at Riverside Community College.

She lives in Upland, California with her husband, Mike, her son Logan, and her dogs, Gypsy and Kona.  Together they provide in-home care for Mike’s father, who is recovering nicely from his massive stroke. Her hobbies include cooking, camping, hiking, gardening and crocheting.

Venessa Damon

Venessa Damon

Megan met Venessa in a paralegal class at Riverside Community College, and when Dennis began looking to add another paralegal to the staff, Megan had no hesitancy to recommend that Dennis interview her.  Megan’s recommendation has turned out to be a great one, as Venessa is now a very vital member of our staff.

Like Megan, Venessa has many skills that make her a great paralegal, with attention to detail, client care and her willingness to learn and take on new tasks being among her skills that Dennis most appreciates.

Venessa is licensed as a Notary Public for the State of California.  She is a member of the Inland Counties Association of Paralegals and she is nearing completion of the paralegal studies certificate program at Riverside Community College.

She lives in Riverside, California with her significant other, Corey, and her dog, Dallas.  She is expecting her first child, Lily, in January 2009.  She occupies her time outside of work with swimming, horseback riding, baking and camping on Lake Mead.