Attorney and Counselor at Law
Stephen W. Dale received his Law Degree from Armstrong Law School and his LL.M. in Taxation from Golden Gate University. His law firm is dedicated to providing top quality estate planning to clients by working cooperatively with the client’s tax, financial and insurance professionals. Mr. Dale regularly teaches continuing education courses accredited by the California Department of Insurance on Estate Planning, Special Needs Trusts, and Life Insurance Trusts.
He also teaches continuing education classes accredited by the California Department of Behavioral Sciences for social service professionals on utilization of trusts for persons with disabilities.
A major focus of Mr. Dale's practice has been the unique needs of persons with disabilities and the elderly. His interest in this specialized field began in 1972 when he became a licensed psychiatric nurse. He worked for the next 17 years in State Hospitals and community programs caring for psychiatric patients, persons with severe developmental disabilities and the elderly. He regularly teaches courses to the public, financial professionals, and other attorneys on Special Needs Trusts and trust administration with a special emphasis on achieving independence while maintaining essential government benefits. He also provides trustee classes to his clients on how to administer Special Needs Trusts.
Memberships
Favorites:* California State Bar
* California State Bar Taxation Section
* Contra Costa County Bar Association
* Balena Bay Yacht Club
* Mount Diablo Estate Planning Counsel
* National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
* National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Trust Special Interest Group Board of Directors
* Special Needs Alliance
* State of California Developmental Disabilities Board 5 - Contra Costa County Appointee
* State of California Developmental Disabilities Board 5 Executive Committee - Vice Chair
* Wealth Counsel Study Group
Sailing. Sailing with my wife and a bottle of Chardonnay. Oh, and did I mention sailing?
Terri Dale
Chief Executive Officer
Terri received her Bachelor of Arts in Management from Saint Mary's College in Moraga in 1996 and her degree of Juris Doctor from John F. Kennedy University, School of Law in 2002. Terri began working with Stephen as the Office Manager of the Law Firm in 1996. Prior to joining Stephen at the law firm, Terri gained over thirty years of Accounting and Office Management experience. Terri is responsible for the business management and practice development of the firm.
Terri regularly attends many of the conferences and seminars with Stephen including the Special Needs Alliance, Stetson University, Wealth Counsel Study Group, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, as well as numerous California Bar Associations and Estate Planning Counsels.
Her major focus has been on effective practice management that allows the Dale Law Firm to provide quality legal services.
Memberships* Contra Costa County Bar Association
* Oakland Yacht Club
Favorites:
Gardening, Italian food with a great glass of vino and sailing with my favorite guy!
Jennifer L. Steneberg, JD
Attorney and Counselor of Law
Jennifer L. Steneberg joined the Dale Law Firm as an associate attorney in February 2008. Jennifer graduated with honors from the Golden Gate University School of Law in May 1999, where she also earned a Public Interest Law Certificate. Jennifer’s personal and professional commit to advocating for persons with disabilities is long established, and she has spent much of her adult life working in the area of disability rights. Prior to joining the Dale Law Firm, Jennifer practiced disability civil rights law where she represented persons with disabilities in their fight to end discrimination, and in her pre-legal professional life, Jennifer spent fourteen years serving as a Congressional aide focusing on disability-related policy issues.
Jennifer also generously volunteers her time and energy in support of several community-based non-profit organizations. She currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of East Bay Innovations, a supported and independent living and supported employment agency serving clients with developmental disabilities, and is on the Board of Directors of Alegria Community Living, a residential care provider for individuals who have transitioned from Agnews State Developmental Center to a community-based home. Jennifer’s past volunteer activities include serving on the Boards of Protection & Advocacy, Inc. (now known as Disability Rights California), the Contra Costa County Developmental Disabilities Council, the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California, Bay Area Family Services, and the YWCA of Contra Costa County.
Oakland A’s Baseball, SciFi Television/Movies, Travel (to anywhere & everywhere), and driving my 1956 MGA.
Our Paralegals
Gabriele LaSaundra Teri
Our Support Staff
Annette Laura Nina Rebecca Shelley