Southern California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
In April 2020, Plaintiff Magazine featured a heartfelt and deeply personal article by elder abuse attorney Sanford Horowitz, known to friends and colleagues simply as Sandy. Written during the first week of COVID-19 lockdowns, the piece is part professional reflection, part life story, and all about the passion that has defined Sandy’s decades-long career fighting for the rights of vulnerable elders.
Sandy begins by looking back on his earlier articles for Plaintiff Magazine — one that explored the unique stories behind every elder abuse case, and another that shared his personal journey navigating his father’s decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s. Six years after his father’s passing, Sandy found himself once again in a contemplative state, reflecting not only on his work but on the twists and turns of life.
From the start, Sandy took a less conventional path as a lawyer. After a short stint at a San Francisco law firm, he chose to set up his own practice in Sonoma, far from the hustle of the big city. That decision wasn’t just about work; it was about living in harmony with nature and focusing on what truly mattered — family, community, and a meaningful life. Over the past 25 years, he has built a career around prosecuting long-term care corporations for neglecting the elderly, a cause that he calls both challenging and profoundly rewarding.
What makes Sandy stand out isn’t just his legal skill, but the way he approaches his clients’ cases. He knows these lawsuits are about far more than money — they’re about helping families process pain, grief, and often years of unresolved emotions. Sandy believes that how clients feel during the process can be just as important as the verdict. “Anybody can get money for their clients,” a mentor once told him, “but how you make them feel during the journey matters even more.” It’s advice that continues to guide him.
Sandy also doesn’t shy away from calling out the systemic failures of the long-term care industry. He’s seen firsthand how corporate greed and ineffective government oversight lead to heartbreaking neglect. For Sandy, every case is part of a much bigger fight — one that he compares to social justice movements like civil rights and women’s suffrage. While he admits progress is slow, he believes that holding the line for elder care reform is critical.
Over the years, Sandy has also found joy in mentoring younger lawyers and working alongside experts, co-counsel, and fellow advocates. He credits these relationships, along with his personal adventures — like a recent trip to India — for keeping him grounded and preventing burnout.
As the world faced the early days of the pandemic, Sandy’s reflections felt particularly timely. With families barred from visiting loved ones in care facilities, the need for strong advocacy had never been clearer. He closes with a reminder that resonates beyond the legal world: “Do justly now. Love mercy now. Walk humbly now.”
Sandy’s story is a testament to a career built not just on legal victories, but on compassion, resilience, and a deep commitment to doing what’s right. We are lucky to have Sandy’s guidance at Nursing Home Law Group.
