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 also 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

The Senior Staff Attorney provides legal representation on behalf of District of Columbia (D.C.) 60+ residents in the Economic and Healthcare Security Practice, particularly the Veterans Advocacy Project of Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE). Provides representation predominantly before the Department of Veteran Affairs and other governmental agencies, and litigation before administrative courts. Representation involves civil matters of older DC residents, especially veterans and spouses of veterans. Responsibilities include handling complex administrative cases and managing systemic law reform projects related to the mission of the practice.
Responsibilities

1. Provides direct representation, information, advice, counsel, referral, and guidance in a variety of civil matters involving older DC residents especially veterans and spouses of veterans, including, but not limited to, VA pensions, debts to the VA, presumed conditions, select service-related disability claims, survivor's benefits, and DIC claims.

2. Provides direct representation to seniors in general public benefits matters related to income maintenance (e.g. Medicaid, Social Security, SSI, SSDI).

3. Develops systemic law reform research projects related to older DC residents especially veterans. Mentors pro bono attorneys on issues and cases placed with the Systemic Advocacy Practice. Participates on committees with other legal services advocates, social workers, professionals, clients, and community members with the purpose of working on larger policy issues concerning older DC residents especially veterans.

4. Oversees daily operations of the Veterans Advocacy Project (VAP) and looks for ways to improve and expand the services currently provided.

5. Trains and mentors LCE Pickering Fellow (law student) and assigns tasks, research and other duties related to case representation. Also provides guidance to, refers assignments, and monitors work of volunteers and interns on assigned cases.

6. Prepares educational materials, grant reports, trainings, and manuals, and participates in community outreach as needed.

7. Maintains accurate, contemporaneous, and complete records and notes in the case management system concerning cases handled.

8. Provides back-up support and technical assistance to the legal hotline, outreach programs, pro bono panel, long-term care ombudsman program, and other staff attorneys. Handles other projects as assigned.

9. Attends training courses and conferences related to the work of the Veterans Advocacy Project and other public benefits trainings as needed.

10. Possesses a demonstrated interest in public interest law, the elderly and especially service to Veterans.

11. Demonstrates AARP Values and Leadership behaviors in all interactions.
Requirements

Completion of a Juris Doctorate degree; member in good standing of D.C. Bar or eligibility to waive into the DC Bar; 5+ years of directly related experience representing veterans in benefits cases, and general public benefits related experience. Accredited to practice before the Department of Veterans Affairs or eligible to seek accreditation. Past military service a plus. Foreign language skills a plus.
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.