Elder Law & Advocacy: The Conversation

How One Executive Director Is Transforming Survivors’ Lives

Abuse cases - whether domestic violence, child abuse, or elder abuse - require more than just prosecution. They require coordinated, compassionate support for victims.
In this episode of Elder Law & Advocacy: The Conversation, Caleb sits down with Claudia Grasso, Deputy District Attorney with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and Executive Director of One Safe Place, the North County Family Justice Center.
Claudia has spent much of her career prosecuting cases involving domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse. Driven by a vision to better support victims, her career brought her to a position as Executive Director of One Safe Place - a center designed to provide comprehensive, wraparound services for individuals and families impacted by abuse.
In this conversation, Claudia shares her journey from prosecutor to advocate, the mission behind One Safe Place, and how this innovative model brings together legal, social, and support services under one roof to help victims heal and rebuild.
We also explore the realities of abuse cases, the importance of victim-centered care, and how communities can better support those affected.

The Rise of Crypto Scams Targeting Older Adults

Cryptocurrency fraud is one of the fastest-growing threats today, and scammers are targeting vulnerable older adults.
In this episode of Elder Law & Advocacy: The Conversation, Jaime Levine sits down with Chris Groshong, Certified Fraud Investigator and founder of the Crypto Recovery Alliance, to break down how crypto scams work, why they are so difficult to trace, and what victims and families can do after funds are stolen.
Chris specializes in cryptocurrency fraud investigations, including cases involving elder financial abuse and large-scale scams. Through his nonprofit, he plans to help families impacted by crypto fraud recover lost assets and to advocate for stronger protections in this rapidly evolving space.
In this conversation, we explore how crypto scams target victims and move money quickly, why cryptocurrency has become a major tool in financial fraud, and the challenges of investigating and recovering stolen funds. Chris also shares what families, professionals, and caregivers should watch for, and what victims can do if they have been targeted.
If you work with older adults, manage financial risk, or want to better understand crypto fraud and scam prevention, this episode is essential listening.

How Top Prosecutor Scott Pirrello Fights Elder Abuse

In this episode of Elder Law & Advocacy: The Conversation, host Jaime Levine sits down with Scott Pirrello, Head of Elder Abuse Prosecution at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and a leading national expert on elder fraud and scams.
Pirrello is at the forefront of the fight against elder abuse, spearheading efforts to investigate and prosecute crimes targeting older adults. As a central figure in San Diego’s response to elder abuse, he plays a key role in the FBI Elder Justice Task Force, collaborating with federal, state, and local partners to combat financial scams, fraud schemes, and abuse affecting seniors.
This conversation explores Scotts professional journey, the growing threat of elder financial abuse, how prosecutors build cases against sophisticated scammers, and what families, caregivers, and professionals need to know to better protect vulnerable older adults.
Tune in for expert insights on elder law, fraud prevention, and the evolving landscape of elder justice.

This Nonprofit is Transforming Elder Law in San Diego

In the newest episode of Elder Law & Advocacy: The Conversation, Jenna MacRae speaks with Madison Kovall about the programs and legal services offered by Elder Law & Advocacy and how they support older adults across San Diego County.
The conversation explores how EL&A helps older adults navigate a wide range of legal challenges, including public benefits issues, landlord-tenant disputes, scams, and consumer fraud. They also discuss the organization’s Nursing Home Rights and Enforcement Project and the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, which provides free Medicare counseling to older adults.
Jenna also shares her own career journey and how she came to work at Elder Law & Advocacy, along with what makes the organization unique among legal nonprofits.
From community education to pre-litigation advocacy, she gives a behind-the-scenes look at her day-to-day work and how EL&A is funded to provide critical legal services to older adults.

From UK Barrister to Senior Advocate in San Diego

In the newest episode of Elder Law & Advocacy: The Conversation, Jenna MacRae sits down with Amanda Jane Austin, Staff Attorney and Legal Volunteer Coordinator at Elder Law & Advocacy.
Amanda shares her journey from working as a Barrister for the UK government to advocating for older adults in San Diego. She also discusses how volunteers and interns play a critical role in expanding legal services for older adults and what she looks for when recruiting the next generation of legal professionals.
If you’re interested in volunteering, interning, or learning how legal professionals can make a meaningful impact in their community, this conversation is worth a listen.

Elder Law in Rural California

What does elder law look like in Imperial County and throughout rural California?
In this episode, Jaime Levine sits down with Alan Azevedo-McCaffrey, Staff Attorney at Elder Law & Advocacy, to share what it’s really like working directly with seniors in rural communities where access to legal help can be limited.
Alan discusses the unique challenges older adults face in places like Imperial County, the types of legal issues that often arise, and the barriers many rural seniors encounter when trying to get the support they need. He also offers insight into what advocacy looks like for attorneys serving these rural communities.
The conversation explores why legal services for rural communities are so important, what it’s like working at Elder Law & Advocacy, and how legal advocacy can make a meaningful difference in the lives of underserved older adults in Imperial County.
This episode is especially valuable for elder law attorneys, advocates, social workers, and anyone interested in access to justice for seniors in rural communities in California.

Let’s Talk About Conservatorship

Tune in as staff attorneys David Schwartz and Madison Kovall discuss conservatorship, planning ahead, and how legal support can help older adults and their families navigate complex decisions together.
David explores what a conservatorship is, how a conservator is legally selected, and the difference between medical and financial conservatorships. The conversation also highlights how advance planning and legal documents can help prevent conservatorship issues and reduce complications in the future.
This episode offers helpful insights for caregivers, families, and older adults looking to better understand elder law, conservatorship support, and long-term planning.
 

How Elder Law Attorneys Can Better Protect Seniors

We’re joined by Ann Vu, Volunteer Attorney with Elder Law & Advocacy, for an in-depth conversation on senior debt negotiation, elder rights, and language access in legal services.
Ann shares her experience working with Spanish-speaking seniors, highlighting why culturally competent support and strong translation processes are essential to understanding clients’ stories, protecting their rights, and helping older adults navigate complex legal and financial systems. She discusses practical strategies for supporting seniors through debt negotiation, contract disputes, fraud, and financial abuse.
Drawing from her work in Imperial County, Ann explores the unique challenges seniors face in underserved and rural communities, and highlights local resources beyond traditional legal aid. The conversation also addresses where elder law protections fall short, and what still needs to change at the policy level to protect seniors from abuse.
If you’re an elder law attorney, advocate, social worker, policymaker, or community member working to protect seniors from exploitation and ensure equitable access to justice, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

2025 Cases That Changed California Elder Law

Attorneys Caleb Logan and Jaime Levine continue their conversation by deep diving into the real stories behind the cases shaping senior protections in California in 2026. Through detailed case breakdowns, they explore how moments of elder abuse, financial exploitation, and legal injustice become turning points that drive change in the law.
This episode takes listeners deep into key 2025 cases, unpacking the people, conflicts, and legal strategies at the heart of each decision. They discuss elder abuse prevention, financial exploitation, and the fight to challenge unjust policies, while highlighting how EL&A CLICC (California Low Income Consumer Coalition) are often looking at the interplay of legislation and case law.
Love deep case breakdowns? This episode is for you. Dive into the facts, legal strategies, and judicial reasoning behind 2025 cases shaping elder law and senior protections across California in 2026.

2026 and the New Era of California Elder Law

Tune in as attorneys Caleb Logan and Jaime Levine break down key California legislation enacted in 2025 that is already shaping how seniors are being legally protected in 2026 and beyond.
They discuss new and existing laws designed to prevent elder abuse and financial exploitation, how recent legal changes impact senior clients and their communities, and the growing role of advocacy organizations like the California Low Income Consumer Coalition in advancing elder protections.
The conversation also explores what it takes to fight for seniors in court under these updated laws - including changes to evidentiary standards, what kinds of proof are now required, and how expanded statutes are shifting accountability. 
A powerful discussion for advocates, attorneys, and community members working to safeguard seniors’ rights in California.