LCE Staff Attorneys for Extended Services Cases
By: Source: AARP Foundation Date Posted: 2003-06-26
A significant number of cases that LCE handles for D.C. residents present problems that cannot be resolved through merely information, advice or brief services. Both the Pro Bono Project and LCE staff attorneys handle more in-depth legal cases. These cases typically involve document drafting, court appearances, agency appearances, or other types of complex legal work. Cases handled in these areas run the gamut but often involve landlord/tenant disputes, foreclosures, tax sales, guardianships, debt collection defense and public benefit administrative hearings. Below are a number of innovative projects that staff attorneys are also engaged in that typically involve in-depth casework.
Alternatives to Guardianships
A Protective Services Panel has been created to:
- prevent unnecessary or inappropriate imposition of guardianships and/or conservatorships in the District of Columbia, and
- provide a forum where staff from various agencies (e.g. the D.C. Government, Adult Protective Services staff, social workers from various D.C. social service agencies and representatives from LCE) can discuss cases where an individual may need some form of protective arrangement.
This multidisciplinary panel meets monthly (or on an emergency basis when needed) to discuss cases citywide and make recommendations utilizing the "least restrictive alternative" approach (in accordance with D.C. law).
An LCE staff attorney represents LCE at these meetings. Where it is determined that legal proceedings are necessary, LCE will either handle the case, or, in cases involving conflicts of interest (typically where we have represented the client in his/her own right in the past) the panel will refer the matter to another appropriate source for legal assistance. In order to protect confidentiality, client names are not used during the discussion.
This manual serves as a guide to developing a holistic program to avoid eviction of elderly tenants.
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