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.
The Director, Litigation serves as the Chief Litigator and is responsible for ensuring and delivering effective representation for consumer, homeowner, tenant, public, and veteran benefits for clients. Engages with litigation staff to identify systemic issues, with a consistent thread across practice areas and collaborates with the Executive Director to determine if these issues can be addressed through advocacy. Identifies operating challenges to litigating and works to identify and implement solutions. Develops and maintains effective working relationships and coordination with other AARP departments and external stakeholders. Serves as a thought partner with the Executive Director for developing and implementing strategies to fulfill the mission of the organization.
Responsibilities
- Oversees and provides direction for the civil litigation practice areas, including providing support to the Managing Attorneys in all phases of litigation.
- Identifies systemic issues that both represented and pro se clients confront as litigants in the DC Superior Court and helps to develop projects for pro bono partners to address these issues.
- Works to identify and implement tools and processes to improve the efficiency of litigation practice areas to ensure the most effective and comprehensive delivery of legal services and works to incorporate the use of data collected to evaluate success.
- Develops and helps to deliver a training program to ensure that all Attorneys develop and become well-equipped to litigate complex matters in their practice areas.
- Coordinates with Development, Finance, and Operations to apply for and ensure that grants for the litigation practice areas are appropriately staffed and managed. Engages with grant stakeholders, as appropriate.
- Manages the practice area when the Managing Attorney is not available and serves as the primary point-of-contact in the Executive Director's absence.
- Serves as a thought leader with the Executive Director in identifying gaps in service delivery and developing and implementing strategies to fulfill the mission of the organization.
- Provides racially sensitive and culturally aware leadership in the delivery of legal services to clients and ensures that all Attorneys are equipped to do the same.
Qualifications
- Completion of a Juris Doctorate and a member in good standing of the D.C. Bar or the ability to waive in.
- 12+ years of legal experience, with at least 7 years in civil litigation and at least 5 years in a legal services organization.
- Strong legal editing, writing, and analytical skills and excellent verbal communication skills.
- Solid interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with a variety of work styles.
- Significant experience with coaching, training, and mentoring legal staff.
- Strong organizational and management skills.
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a senior management team.
- A demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice and centering it in the work performed.
Preferred:
- Significant experience in landlord/tenant, public benefits, consumer protection, and real property matters.
- Experience developing training materials to support attorney development.
- Ability to develop and implement procedures and guidelines to facilitate the effective oversight of litigation practice areas.
AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.
Please attach a cover letter to your resume when you submit your application.
Additional Requirements
- Regular and reliable job attendance.
- Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships.
- Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions.
- In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
Flexible Work Arrangement
AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as telecommuting workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work and telecommuting can only be done within the United States and its territories.
Compensation and Benefits
AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 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; tuition reimbursement; among others.
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.
