Volunteers are key components of LCE programs. Volunteers can be retired people, undergraduate students, law students, retired attorneys and attorneys between jobs or careers. Because it takes a certain amount of time to orient and train volunteers, we request that no one inquire about volunteer opportunities unless he or she is willing to make a commitment of at least one day (five hours or more) per week for at least a three-month period.

Common Volunteering Opportunities:

Case Assistance (attorneys and nonattorneys needed)
These positions involve assisting a staff attorney or paralegal on individual cases. Work might involve interviewing, fact investigation, letter writing, research or other law office tasks. Since volunteers range in experience from undergraduates to attorneys with years of experience in practicing law, every attempt is made to tailor individual assignments to the capabilities and prior training and experience of each volunteer. There are a host of training opportunities available in the course of a year, and volunteers receive ample supervision. For more information, call (202) 434-2177.

Pro Bono Project (nonattorneys needed)
These positions involve working with the administrator of the Pro Bono Project in the D.C. LCE office to refer cases to the volunteer attorneys, and following up with the attorneys to ensure that they have what they need and that their cases are progressing. Training and supervision are provided.

Pro Bono Attorney Opportunities
If you are a licensed member of the D.C. bar in good standing and would like to take a pro bono case on behalf of a low-income older person in the District of Columbia or would simply like more information, see Pro Bono Opportunities.

Self-help Offices (nonattorneys needed)
These positions involve working at one of our neighborhood self-help offices where volunteers assist older individuals in navigating a website to obtain basic legal information, write consumer complaint letters or file a case in small claims.

Senior Medicare Error Patrol Project
Volunteers are needed: If you are interested in becoming an SMEPP volunteer trainer for Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries, please call (202) 434-2013 for further information.

D.C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
The District of Columbia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is seeking interested individuals to serve as ombudsman volunteers in long-term care facilities.

Ombudsman volunteers serve as advocates for residents of nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and community-living facilities, protecting residents’ rights and promoting the highest possible quality of care.

For more information, contact Genesis Cachedon at 202-434-2037 or gcachedon@aarp.org.

Legal Counsel for the Elderly, an affiliate of AARP, operates the ombudsman program in conjunction with the D.C. Office on Aging.

Instructions on How to Volunteer:

LCE Volunteer Opportunities
If you live in the D.C. metro area and would like to volunteer, send an e-mail with a brief description of your prior work experience (or a résumé if you prefer) to lce@aarp.org. If you are an attorney who wants to volunteer to work alongside LCE staff attorneys in our offices, you should send an e-mail to this address as well.

LCE Volunteer Attorney Opportunities
If you are an attorney and a member in good standing of the D.C. bar, live or work in the D.C. area and would like to take an LCE pro bono case, please e-mail vlp@aarp.org stating your name, D.C. bar number, phone number and your interest in volunteering.

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