Legal Associate

AARP; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Company-funded pension

Health insurance

Dental and vision plans

Life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly seeks a Legal Associate to assist attorneys in researching and analyzing legal documents, and to help clients assess their issues. The role supports outreach and training for volunteers, empowering seniors in Washington, DC.

Under licensed attorney supervision, you prepare papers, engage potential witnesses, and contribute to community education. Hybrid work includes remote days in a nationwide framework.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate and DC bar eligibility or intent to take the bar.
• Strong problem-solving and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Public speaking aptitude and willingness to train others.
• Commitment to poverty/public interest law and equity.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct legal assistance to clients under attorney supervision.
• Conduct investigations gathering documents, evidence, and records.
• Perform legal research and chart relevant information for cases.
• Analyze data and policies to support advocacy goals.
• Participate in community outreach and training presentations.
• Build relationships with government agencies to aid claims processing.
• Supervise interns and volunteers on assigned tasks.
• Join cross-organizational teams to improve service delivery.

Skills

Problem-solving

Multi-tasking

Organizational skills

Public speaking

Cultural awareness

Travel willingness

Public interest law commitment

Education

J.D. degree / DC Bar eligible

Job description

AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly champions the dignity and rights of vulnerable Washington, D.C. seniors 60-plus, providing free legal and social work services to those in need — empowering, defending, protecting, and helping thousands of clients each year in many areas of civil law.

Legal Associate

The Legal Associate assists attorneys in researching and analyzing pertinent law documents. Assists internal and external clients to evaluate their legal issues and determines appropriate assistance needed. Supports attorneys with investigative work, such as gathering evidence, searching records and documents, and/or contacting potential clients and witnesses to gather information. Represents clients under the supervision of a licensed attorney, including the preparation of legal papers and communication with third parties. Engages in community outreach and education. Provides guidance and training to volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct legal assistance to clients in a variety of brief legal matters or at legal clinics under the direction and supervision of a licensed attorney.
• Performs investigative work to gather information, documents and evidence needed for client representation.
• Uses various research strategies to gather information and documents evidence needed for client representation.
• Analyzes data and policies in support of advocacy objectives.
• Prepares, coordinates, and participates in community outreach and training presentations. Develops relationships with community partners to achieve client-centered and organizational goals.
• Develops and maintains relationships and contacts with various local and federal government agencies to ensure timely processing of client claims, applications, and appeals related to their legal matters.
• Works with and supervises interns and volunteers assigned to tasks on practice work.
• Participates as a member of practice area team and on cross-organizational working groups to develop innovative approaches to enhance service delivery for organization’s clients.

Qualifications

• Completion of a Juris Doctorate degree, member DC bar, eligible to waive in, or planning to take DC bar.
• Strong problem-solving and multi-tasking skills;
• Good organizational and communication skills;
• Good public speaking skills and interest in conducting training for others;
• Demonstrated commitment to poverty/public interest law;
• Demonstrates cultural awareness and humility, understanding of racial inequities, and ability to work across differences while carrying out responsibilities;
• Amenability to local travel; and
• Commitment to the goals and priorities of AARP and to the representation of elderly individuals with low incomes.
• Moderate Noise (Examples: Business Office with Typewriters and/or Computer Printers, Light Traffic)

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position.

Hybrid Work Environment

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation And Benefits

• 401(k)
• 100% company-funded pension plan
• health, dental, and vision plans
• life insurance
• paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave
• performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement

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.