H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
After attending Loyola University School of Law, H. Dennis Beaver joined California's Kern County District Attorney's Office, where he established a Consumer Fraud section. He also became a highly visible presence on local television and radio as a legal affairs reporter. He is in the general practice of law and writes a syndicated newspaper column, You and the Law, carried by a number of papers in California.
Married for 50 years to his wonderful wife, Anne, Beaver says he is among the luckiest husbands on the planet. He has a 47-year-old son fluent in Cantonese and French, who lives in Hong Kong with his Japanese wife and 10-year-old grandson.
Beaver is fluent in Swedish and French and, for over 25 years, was a frequent guest on Voice of America French to Africa radio broadcasts and the VOA television program Washington Forum, until VOA was shut down as the result of an executive order by President Donald Trump.
"I love law for the reason that I can help people resolve their problems, and my newspaper column reaches so many people in need of down-to-earth advice not influenced by how much I am paid. I have never used any aspect of journalism as a form of advertising. I never charge readers for help, as I do not believe this would be ethical, and, in reality, they are the source of many of my columns. I know it sounds corny, but I just love to be able to use my education and experience to help, simply to help. When a reader contacts me, it is a gift."
Email: Lagombeaver1@gmail.com | Website: dennisbeaver.com
Latest articles by H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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'You Owe Me a Refund': Readers Challenge Attorneys' Bills
The article about lawyers billing clients for hours of work that AI did in seconds generated quite a response. One law firm even called a staff meeting.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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Your 5-Step Guide to Discovering Whether a Lawyer Is Shady
Research shows you can't rely on some state bar websites to vet a lawyer you're considering hiring. Here's how to check out a lawyer before you hire.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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Billed 12 Hours for a Few Seconds of Work: AI and Law Firms
The ability of AI to reduce the time required for certain legal tasks is exposing the legal profession's reliance on the billable hour.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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How an Elder Law Attorney Can Help Protect Your Aging Parents
If you are worried about older family members or friends whose financial judgment is raising red flags, help is out there — from an elder law attorney.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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As We Age, Embracing Our Own Self-Doubt Can Be a Gift
An aging couple hired a company that illegally required large deposits, and then they decided to stick with the company even after an employee stole from them.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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How to Protect Yourself and Others From a Troubled Adult Child
This case of a violent adult son whose parents are in denial is an example of the extreme risks some parents face if they neglect essential safety precautions.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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What Makes This Business Successful? The Founder's Kids Share
The children of Morgan Clayton share how their father's wisdom, life experience and caring nature have turned their family business into a respected powerhouse.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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Meet the World's Unluckiest — and Entitled — Porch Pirate
This teen swiped a booby-trapped package that showered him with glitter, and then he hurt his wrist while fleeing. This is why no lawyer will represent him.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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Uber Takes Aim at the Bottom Lines of Billboard Lawyers
Uber has filed lawsuits and proposed a ballot initiative, in California, to curb settlements it claims are falsely inflated by some personal injury lawyers.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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When Checkout Charity Gets Uncomfortable (Maybe Even Illegal)
Cashiers asking customers to "round up" their total for charity can cross an ethical line if there's no disclosure about the benefiting organization.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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Fish and Chips? More Like Fish and a Side of Customer Anger
You expect chips — French fries, actually — to come with your order of fish and chips? Think again. This restaurant seemed to be violating truth-in-menu laws.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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How to Keep Your Business on Track, From the Authors of 'Hone'
Business owners like this chef could learn valuable lessons from 'Hone,' including how caving in to pressure to quickly expand could lead to business 'drift.'
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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A Nightmare for Parents: Navigating Tenant Rights in a Crisis
This family's story illustrates how important it is to get help sooner rather than later and highlights the complexities of tenant rights and legal protections.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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Why Judge Judy Says Details Are Important in Contracts
A couple's disastrous experience with reclaimed wood flooring led to safety hazards and a lesson in the critical importance of detailed contracts.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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Retail Strategy Creates a Pickpockets' Paradise in Supermarkets
Some stores regularly rearrange inventory with the aim of increasing purchases, and they're creating opportunities for thieves to steal from customers.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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A 'Fast, Fair and Friendly' Fail: Farmers Irks Customers With Its Handling of a Data Breach
Farmers Insurance is facing negative attention and lawsuits because of a three-month delay in notifying 1.1 million policyholders about a data breach. Here's what you can do if you're affected.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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The Spendthrift Trap: Here's One Way to Protect Your Legacy From an Irresponsible Heir
A spendthrift clause in an estate plan can protect an inheritance from a financially irresponsible child's debts and poor decisions.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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Dealing With a Bad HOA Board? This Book Could Be Your Battle Plan
'Bad HOA' by Luke Carlson empowers homeowners to push back against unfairness, offering advice on dealing with challenging homeowners associations (HOAs).
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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What One Widow's Ordeal Teaches Us About Marriage and Money
A man charmed a 72-year-old widow into marriage, and then her accounts were seized to pay off his debts, highlighting the importance of background checks on potential spouses as well as prenuptial agreements.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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How an Expired Passport Thwarted Blackmail (and What Other Important Documents You Should Keep)
An optometrist produced his expired passport to foil a blackmail attempt by the daughter of a former employee. After proving he was out of the country on the date of a forged diary entry, he took it a step further.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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Want to Advance on the Job? Showing Some Courtesy and Appreciation Could Help
Two business professors share their insights about the impact of digital communication on the social skills of some in Gen Z and the importance of good manners on the job.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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The Unsung Hero of Aisle 5: A Tale of Forgotten Change and Compassion at the Supermarket
This supermarket manager went above and beyond to help when a child forgot her change at the checkout counter. You might be surprised at some of the complications that supermarkets face when it comes to customers' forgotten change.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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Building a Business That Lasts: The Critical Steps to Avoid Blunders
'Another Way' author David Whorton offers advice on how to build an 'evergreen' business that endures by avoiding common pitfalls that can lead to failure.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
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Don't Be a Sucker: The Truth About Guarantor and Cosigner Agreements
There are significant financial and relationship risks involved if you agree to be a cosigner or guarantor. Make sure you perform your due diligence, and know exactly what you're getting into, before agreeing to such a commitment.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
