Description:
Legal for the Elderly is seeking a law graduate interested in providing pro bono legal services for low-income DC residents during the summer/fall immediately before starting work at the law firm Sidley Austin. This pro bono fellowship offers a law school graduate and incoming Sidley associate the opportunity to work with LCE's Legal Hotline, providing advice, brief services, referrals, and intake for full representation for clients involved in civil litigation and other legal proceedings. The fellow will work closely with LCE's Hotline attorneys to provide direct legal services to clients, conduct legal research to support Hotline cases and develop resources to improve the quality of Hotline services. This is a post-graduate fellowship with an anticipated start day of May 2024.Responsibilities:
- Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, provide timely, accurate information, legal advice in litigation and/or non-litigation matters, referral, self-help materials, guidance, and/or other assistance to eligible clients within and related to the attorney's practice area
- Participate in conducting initial client intake interviews
- Research legal issues, draft client letters and client education materials, participate in team meetings, assist attorney with casework
- Participates as a member of the practice area team and on cross-organizational working groups to develop innovative approaches to enhance service delivery for the organization's clients
Qualifications:
- Graduate from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree
- Has previously taken the bar exam or is scheduled to take the bar exam in 2024
- A demonstrated commitment to public service and LCE's client community is preferred
- Competency in the use of technology, including Microsoft Word, Teams, and Outlook
- Ability to communicate well orally and in writing
- Exercise good judgment related to the accomplishment of casework assignments and able to navigate through sensitive and confidential legal issues
- Empathetic to the senior population and their legal and social issues
- Excellent organizational skills and detail-oriented