Staff Attorney

AARP • Washington, DC

3d • $66,600 - $74,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly champions the dignity and rights of vulnerable Washington, D.C. seniors age 60 and older by providing free legal and social work services. The Staff Attorney for the Probate and Estate Planning Project provides legal counsel and representation in civil litigation and other legal proceedings. The role prepares and files large estate administration probate petitions and deeds, drafts estate planning documents, and participates in limited trial preparation, briefs, discovery, negotiations, and mediations. The attorney also engages in systemic advocacy, conducts community outreach and education, and supports and counsels clients who represent themselves.

The position provides timely legal information, advice, representation, referrals, self-help materials, guidance, and other assistance to eligible clients. It also supports systemic advocacy, organizes outreach and training, and provides guidance and monitoring for pro bono attorneys, volunteers, law students, and legal support staff. The attorney develops expertise in primary practice areas and collaborates with advocates, clients, community leaders, practice area teams, and cross-organizational working groups to improve service delivery.

This role is based in a hybrid work environment. AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work must be performed within the United States and its territories.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership with the D.C. Bar or eligibility to waive into the D.C. Bar.
• At least 1 year of legal experience directly related to probate and estate planning.
• Ability to manage multiple client matters, deadlines, and priorities with accuracy, sound judgment, and attention to detail.
• Regular and reliable job attendance.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to show respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships.
• Independent judgment in evaluating options and making sound decisions.
• Ability to work effectively in an in-office/open-office environment surrounded by moderate noise.
• AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Foreign language proficiency, particularly Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely and accurate legal information, advice, representation in litigation or non-litigation matters, referrals, self-help materials, guidance, and other assistance to eligible clients within and related to the attorney’s practice area.
• Prepare and file large estate administration probate petitions and deeds, and draft estate planning documents for clients in probate and estate planning cases.
• Participate in limited trial preparation, preparation of amicus or other briefs, discovery, negotiations, and mediations.
• Engage in or support systemic advocacy related to the attorney’s area of expertise.
• Conduct community outreach, education, and training events.
• Provide guidance, refer cases, and monitor the work of pro bono attorneys, volunteers, law students, and legal support staff on assigned cases.
• Develop and maintain expertise in primary areas of responsibility.
• Collaborate with legal services advocates, clients, and community leaders on systemic issues.
• Participate in practice area teams and cross-organizational working groups to develop approaches to enhance service delivery.
• Support and counsel clients in representing themselves.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 100% company-funded pension plan
• Health, dental, and vision plans
• Life insurance
• Paid time off, including company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave
• Performance-based and peer-based recognition
• Tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree