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 no 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 client’s 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. Dennis is currently is serving his second term on the Board of Directors of the National Elder Law Foundation. He previously served on the Board of Directors of The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and the Life Care Planning Law Firm Association (LCPLFA). He was the 2008 / 2009 President of the Southern California Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and the 2003 / 2004 Chairman of the Estate Planning Section for the Riverside County Bar Association.

Dennis is one of only nine 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. Prior to joining the Special Needs Alliance, Dennis was a charter member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners. Dennis is also a member of the Riverside County Bar Association, the California Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He is also a member of the Riverside County Estate Planning Council and the Inland Empire Gift Planning Council. 

Dennis M. Sandoval, A Professional Law Corporation, is also a charter member of 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.  Dennis M. Sandoval, A PLC, is the law firm in the Inland Empire that has a social worker on its staff. 

Mr. Sandoval is an adjunct professor at Chapman University College of Law, where he teaches various classes for its Master of Tax Law (LL.M.) program.  He previously taught at Western State University College of Law and California Southern Law School. He has also taught 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.