Updated 2007
The Law and Aging Guide is a comprehensive listing of the state-wide resources available to help older persons with law-related issues. Published by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, the Guide includes important contact numbers and addresses for legal assistance providers and other law-related services for the elderly. Many states now have toll-free senior legal hotlines. If you are an older person (or family member or trusted friend of an older person) who needs legal advice or assistance, the first step is to see if your state has a hotline, and, if it does, to call the hotline listed below.
[Note: If you are legal services provider or entity listed below, please email any changes of address or information to the ABA Commission at abaelderly@abanet.org , attn: Law and Aging Guide.]
District of Columbia
A. Legal Hotline for the Elderly: (202) 434-2170
Legal Hotline for the Elderly
Legal Counsel for the Elderly
AARP Foundation
601 E St., N.W., Bldg. A, 4th Fl.
Washington, DC 20049
B. Legal Assistance Developer
Jan Allen May
Legal Counsel for the Elderly
AARP Foundation
601 E St., N.W., Bldg. A, 4th Fl.
Washington, DC 20049
(202) 434-2164; fax (202) 434-6464
C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Gerald Kasunic
Legal Counsel for the Elderly
AARP Foundation
601 E St., N.W., Bldg. A, 4th Fl.
Washington, DC 20049
(202) 434-2140; fax (202) 434-6595
D. Legal Services Funded Under the Older Americans Act
If your income falls within certain guidelines, you may be able to get legal help from the Legal Services or Legal Aid program in your area. In some communities, the Older Americans Act program serving older people and the legal aid program are one and the same. For a state-by-state listing of Legal Services programs, go to Web: http://www.lsc.gov.
District of Columbia Office on Aging
441 4th Street, NW, Suite 900S
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 724-5622
Web: http://dcoa.dc.gov/dcoa/site/default.asp
E. Bar Committees/Sections
The Bar Association of the District of Columbia
Elder Law Committee
Pyllis J. Dobin, Chair
1225 19th St, NW
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 223-6600; Fax (292) 293-3388
Web: http://www.badc.org/
F. National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) -
Washington, D.C./Maryland Chapter
Morris Klein, CELA
President, District of Columbia Chapter of NAELA
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-4462
G. Legal Assistance Projects Involving Private Attorneys
Many communities are also served by volunteer lawyer (pro bono) programs. These programs are usually sponsored by bar associations. Lawyers in private practice volunteer to help low-income persons free of charge. To find the pro bono program in your state, click on http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/probonodirectory.html
Volunteer Lawyers Projects for the Elderly
Volunteer Lawyers Project
Legal Counsel for the Elderly
AARP Foundation
601 E St., N.W., Bldg. A, 4th Fl.
Washington, DC 20049
(202) 434-2120
This pro bono lawyer referral project is operated through Legal Counsel for the Elderly. Approximately 375 volunteer attorneys and 100 law firms participate, handling all types of civil legal problems.
H. Law Schools and Legal Clinics
Law Schools
The Catholic University of America
Columbus School of Law
3600 John McCormack, N.E.
Washington, DC 20064
(202) 319-5140
Health Insurance Counseling Project
The George Washington University Law School
2000 H St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20052
(202) 994-6260
I. Attorney General's Office
Linda Singer, Attorney General
Office of the Corporate Counsel
441 4th St., N.W.
Ste. 680 N.
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-3400; fax (202) 727-9656
Web: www.occ.dc.gov
J. State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
University Legal Services
220 I St., NE, Suite 130
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 547-0198; fax (202) 547-2083
Web: www.uls-dc.org
K. Dispute Resolution
National Institute for Dispute Resolution
1726 M St., N.W., Ste. 500
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 466-4764, ext. 312
Steve Lee, Program Director
L. Other Projects
