Business Unit Description

Founded in 1975, Legal Counsel for the Elderly champions the dignity and rights of vulnerable Washington, D.C. seniors, 60 and older, providing free legal and social work services to those in need - empowering, defending and protecting.

LCE staff help 6,000+ clients each year in many areas of civil law. Attorneys represent seniors facing foreclosures, evictions, and consumer fraud. LCE handles Medicaid and Social Security cases, provides benefits checkups to assure that seniors and Veterans are receiving the benefits they are due, prepares Wills and Powers of Attorney, and educates elders in ways to avoid Medicare and Medicaid fraud. Clients come to LCE directly through the LCE Legal Hotline, they are referred by partner organizations and the courts, and LCE attorneys, plus its more than 800 volunteers, are regularly in the community meeting elders at senior centers and faith-based organizations. LCE also accommodates homebound seniors by providing legal services in their homes.

LCE houses the office of the D.C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates on behalf of seniors in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and those receiving home health care. LCE has a strong relationship with a number of pro bono law firms that assist staff with approximately 600 cases a year. LCE staff testify and make recommendations regarding laws before the D.C. Council that affect seniors, and have been instrumental in bettering conditions for D.C. seniors through assistance with local legislation. More than 40 years after its founding, LCE continues to develop innovative, cost-effective ways to deliver legal services, serving as a model for organizations around the country. LCE is incorporated as a 501(c) (3) and is an affiliate of AARP

Summary

Supports the work of the Public Benefits and General Services (PBGS) attorneys. Assists with client interviews, investigations and document requests. Responsible for database case management documentation of tasks and updates. Provides administrative support as required.

Responsibilities

1. Under the guidance of the public benefit attorney(s) performing such tasks as: working with clients to resolve legal problems; drafting client letters and other documents; limited legal research; assisting with client interviews; placing calls to local government agencies and other third parties on behalf of LCE clients, prepping and organizing materials for outreach presentations.
2. Performs investigative work, such as gathering evidence, searching records and documents, and/or contacting potential clients and witnesses to gather information.
3. Provides other litigation support, such as filing court documents, copying court files, assisting with maintaining document production, and tracking court deadlines.
4. Responsible for maintaining case management database documentation tasks such as: case reporting, case notes, case closures, grant reporting, and timekeeping.
5. Responsible for general administrative functions for the Public Benefits & General Services Unit.

Requirements

Position requires strong organizational and multi-tasking skills. Ability to work with and support multiple staff attorneys. Sensitive and empathic to elder population and their legal and social issues. Position interacts occasionally with clients who require extra care in communication and assistance. Collaborates effectively with LCE staff on work and assignments affecting clients within the PBGS Unit.

Completion of an Associate degree, paralegal training, or certificate; or an equivalent combination of training and experience related to the duties of the position.

Bilingual (Spanish) speaking and writing skills highly preferred.

Benefits Offered

AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401K, 100% company funded pension plan, health, dental, vision and life insurance, STD/LTD, paid vacation and sick, and other benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.