Bethany K. Laurence

Attorney · UC Law San Francisco

Bethany Laurence is a Senior Legal Editor at Nolo, where she has worked since 1997. She holds a J.D. from UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) and is a member of the California Bar. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Boston University. 

Disability law. At Nolo, Bethany edits the Social Security, Medicare, and disability content, and she is the managing editor of the DisabilitySecrets website. She also edits the books Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability; The Complete IEP Guide, and Social Security, Medicare, and Government Pensions. Bethany is a member of NOSSCR (National Organization of Social Security Claims Representatives).

Business law. Bethany has also combined her legal and financial expertise to edit many Nolo small business books, such as LLC or Corporation and How to Form an LLC, and is the lead editor for Nolo’s online LLC and corporation services. Over the years, she has co-written several business books, including Business Buyout Agreements: Plan Now for Retirement, Death, Divorce or Owner Disagreements; Save Your Small Business: 10 Crucial Strategies to Survive Hard Times or Close Down & Move On; and Bankruptcy for Small Business Owners: How to File for Chapter 7. 

Other pursuits. In addition to her work at Nolo, Bethany co-founded several educational nonprofit organizations, including River Montessori Charter School and Red Barn Montessori, and served on their boards of directors. She most recently served on the board of the Magnet Program Foundation of Hillcrest Middle School. In the past, Bethany has volunteered her time at a disability law clinic in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco.  

Originally from Rhode Island, Bethany enjoys reading and hiking in the redwoods of northern California.


Articles by Bethany K. Laurence

Eligibility for California State Disability Insurance (SDI)
You have to meet a few tests to qualify for California's short-term disability program.
What Happens When an Employee Goes on Long-Term Disability?
Is your job protected while you’re out on disability? And if you’re terminated, can you still claim long-term disability benefits?
Are Social Security Dependents Benefits Available for Stepchildren?
Social Security benefits are available for most unmarried dependent stepchildren who are under the age of 18 or have a disability.
Short-Term Disability, Paid Family Leave, and Pregnancy Leave Laws
Family leave laws (also known as maternity or paternity leave laws) allow employees to take time off from work to care for a new child.
Average Wait Time for a Social Security Disability Hearing in 2026
See how long SSDI and SSI applicants are waiting for an ALJ hearing in 2026, how wait times differ by location, and what steps you can take to get a faster hearing date.
What Are My Chances of Winning a Social Security Disability Appeal?
There's really no way to know what your chances will be when you file an appeal, but your chances will generally improve.
How Long Does a Social Security Disability Appeal Take?
Here's a timeline for how long a disability appeal with the Social Security administration might take.
How Is Social Security Disability Back Pay Taxed?
The IRS has implemented a fair system for taxing Social Security disability back payments that come in a lump sum.
Washington State Maternity and Parental Leave Laws
If you work in Washington State and need time off work for pregnancy, childbirth, or parenting, you have the right to take paid leave.
I Don’t Have Insurance or Medication. Can I Still Get Disability?
People who can't work often can't pay for medicines or doctors.