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.

Under the supervision of an experienced and licensed attorney, the LCE intern will be exposed to and participate in a variety of legal functions related to the practice of law in an elder law setting for low and moderate income older persons. The intern will complete the internship with an exposure to and some knowledge of various functions in the practice of law and have the opportunity to engage in such activities as well as learn a significant amount of elder law in the process.

The intern will engage in a variety of functions, typically including the following:

• Interviewing of current and prospective clients;
• Conducting fact investigation;
• Calling clients on the phone and/or visiting them in the community or at the court or administrative tribunal;
• Documenting computerized case management data bases;
• Conducting legal research and writing;
• Observing attorneys in court or in administrative proceedings;
• Drafting correspondence;
• Observing the formulation and implementation of legal strategies;
• Following settlement negotiations.

Interns must be currently enrolled as a law student at an accredited college or university; maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0; have a demonstrated interest in serving the needs of low income older people. Spanish-speaking ability is preferred.

AARP also considers non-traditional interns who are looking to re-enter the workforce or change careers. This may include those who have previously graduated college and are now enrolled in a continuing education program.

To Apply for this Opportunity

1. Click APPLY to complete the online application and submit a current resume in response to this posting;
2. Attach a copy of your transcript detailing the number of accumulated credits and your current GPA (a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required);
3. Be prepared to submit two letters of recommendation; which can be from a college or university professor or a manager who is familiar with your work (please note that we cannot complete the hiring process without these references)
4. Be prepared to submit writing samples, if required for the position

Instructions for Uploading Your Documents

1. Attach your resume as part of the online application
2. Click the SUBMIT button at the end of the application
3. Select VIEW SUBMITTED APPLICATION
4. Select the MY ACTIVITIES
5. Select “Add Attachment” under the section labeled COVER LETTERS & ATTACHMENTS
6. Select the Attachment Type and list the Attachment Title
7. Select Upload your document
8. Select Save
9. If uploading multiple documents, repeat steps 5-8

Internships are non-exempt positions and are not eligible for employee benefits.

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.