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 Legal Administrative Associate performs a broad range of administrative support for one or more attorneys. Performs intake for potential clients and supports attorneys with client communications and investigative work such as gathering evidence, searching records and documents, and/or contacting potential clients and witnesses to gather information. Organizes and maintains case files. Creates and transcribes records of highly sensitive/confidential meetings and conversations and prepares correspondence and legal papers. Arranges appointments and maintains calendars, schedules, and files. Organizes and supports community outreach activities.
Responsibilities
- Schedules appointments, depositions, and meetings and maintains attorneys’ files and calendars; makes travel arrangements and prepares and submits expense reports and other financial documents for payment as requested.
- Assists in the onboarding process for new hires, volunteers, and/or interns, including organizing orientation programs; training in office policies, procedures, and technologies; and addressing employee, intern, and volunteer queries regarding office management and facility management issues.
- Prepares, edits, cite checks, and formats correspondence, memoranda, pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents. Retrieves and files legal documents with the courts in person or using the Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system as requested.
- Organizes and maintains litigation, amicus and other case files, runs case reports, tracks court deadlines, and updates the progress of the case using law practice management software. Communicates with outside counsel to refer and monitor status of co-counseled and/or pro bono cases.
- Provides legal assistance to clients, including conducting intakes and assisting with client interviews. Performs investigative work, records searching, and/or contacting clients, witnesses, and government agencies to gather information.
- Organizes trainings, community outreaches, and legal clinics under the direction and supervision of the attorney- supervisor and helps create presentation decks and relevant materials.
- 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 Bachelor’s degree or an Associate's degree with paralegal training, or certificate.
- Minimum of 2 years of administrative support experience.
- Experience working in a law office assisting attorneys with case work interacting with clients, drafting letters, and completing applications and other legal forms.
- Ability to schedule client appointments, preparing materials for outreach, and preparing attorney materials and exhibits for trials.
- Experience assisting with receptionist duties and general office tasks, including mail, faxing, filing, and fielding calls.
- Great organizational skills and ability to work with multiple people and to prioritize work assignments.
AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.
Additional Requirements
- Regular and reliable job attendance.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- 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 (FWA)
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.
