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

Provides administrative and legal suport for the Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) Executive Director and two attorney managers. Communicates with clients, pro bono attorneys, board members (including, AARP executives, partners at law firms, and attorneys in the general counsel office at corporations), and personnel employed by DC government agencies and at other related entities. Conducts research, prepares presentation decks, and performs database case management documentation tasks.
Responsibilities

1. Provides general administrative support, such as scheduling and coordinating meetings, preparing presentation materials, preparing and managing expense reports, updating spreadsheets, managing distribution lists, and tracking court deadlines.

2. Performs both legal and non-legal research and investigative work using on-line tools such as Lexis-Nexis, Westlaw, the Internet, etc.

3. Drafts written communications, such as e-mails, letters, memos, and other documents.

4. Corresponds with members of the board of directors and advisory committee to convey and gather information.

5. Assists with client interviews and legal intakes -- places calls to clients, witnesses, courts, local government agencies, and other entities on behalf of LCE clients.

6. Provides other legal support and is responsible for database case management documentation tasks, such as creating and updating cases and projects, case reporting, case notes, case closures, and grant reporting and timekeeping to ensure timely resolution of legal matters and efficient administration of LCE programs and projects.
Requirements

Completion of a Bachelor of Arts degree and at least 1 year of professional experience, Associate of Arts degree, with at least 2 years of relevant experience, or a Paralegal Certificate, with at least 3 years of relevant experience.

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to effectively manage and prioritize numerous competing tasks.

Advanced reasoning abilities, good judgment, and able to reliably navigate complex, sensitive, and sometimes confidential issues and information.

Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to listen empathetically and to provide clear, concise information.

Excellent interpersonal skills, including professionalism in interacting with clients, as well as senior executives.

Advanced command of Microsoft suite of products including, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Working familiarity with Outlook and/or Office 365. Strong knowledge of and experience with database case management systems.

Able to think creatively and bring ideas to life to create presentation materials
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.