WASHINGTON, DC—Legal Counsel for the Elderly’s (LCE) Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Rhonda Cunningham Holmes as its new executive director, effective Nov. 5. Holmes succeeds Jan Allen May who retired in July after 41 years with LCE.

Rhonda Cunningham Holmes is an attorney with executive management experience in diverse legal and business environments. She served as the deputy director of the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, a nonprofit law firm providing pro bono legal representation, advocacy, and educational programs that address civil rights violations, discrimination and poverty issues. She is a past co-chair of the D.C. Consortium of Legal Services Providers.

“We are truly fortunate to have someone with Rhonda’s breadth of experience and clear-eyed vision for the future committed to advancing the important work of LCE,” said Board Chair Peter R. Kolker.

Her management expertise includes key roles at several major corporations, including Capital One, JPMorgan Chase and Chrysler Corporation. 

Earlier in her career, Holmes was an associate at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. As a litigator, she held an extensive pro bono caseload and worked to expand the pro bono services of the firm.

As executive director of LCE, Holmes will provide overall strategic direction and leadership to ensure continued high quality legal advocacy for low and moderate-income D.C. seniors. She will maintain LCE’s fiscal and operational integrity, provide direction to the D.C. Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and cultivate relationships with existing and potential funders and partners on a local and national scale.

“I am thrilled to join a team of high caliber attorneys and support staff, who have built strong relationships with partner organizations, the courts, D.C. Council and pro bono attorneys from prestigious law firms,” said Holmes. “LCE is well-known in the community and highly regarded. I am committed to continuing LCE’s mission to protect, defend and empower D.C. seniors most in need.”

Holmes holds a JD from Fordham University School of Law; an MBA from the University of Rochester Simon School of Business; and a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University. 

###

About LCE
Legal Counsel for the Elderly is a nonprofit organization and an affiliate of AARP. LCE champions the dignity and rights of DC seniors, providing free legal and social work services to low and moderate income elders most in need. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/LCE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  JoAnn Mangione, 202-434-2074, jmangione@aarp.org