This past spring and over the summer BDS has had many successful pro bono partnerships.  We have worked hard to meet the legal needs of the people we represent by deepening collaboration with law firm partners across several project types. Here's a look at what we've been up to, and where we're headed next.

Building Relationships with the Next Generation of Lawyers
We kicked things off at the annual summer associate pro bono fair at Gibson Dunn, where we had the chance to connect with summer associates and introduce them to the work we do at BDS. These conversations are always a great reminder of how much energy and interest there is in pro bono work, and we're excited to see where these connections lead.  Gibson Dunn has been a long-standing partner of BDS, and a senior associate shared her experience working on a federal habeas case leading to a client’s release from immigration detention and reunion with his family.  

Habeas Training and Partnership with NYIFUP
We hosted our second habeas training at Akin Gump alongside our NYIFUP partners from The Legal Aid Society and The Bronx Defenders to expand critical federal litigation advocacy to seek the release of clients held in immigration detention. The training was a success, and we're optimistic it will translate into new pro bono placements and continued collaboration on habeas matters going forward.  We now have 12 law firms involved in the project! 

SCR Projects with Skadden and HSF Kramer
Our two State Central Register (SCR) projects with Skadden and HSF Kramer assist parents and caregivers who have been impacted by the SCR - a statewide database that contains reports of potential or suspected instances of child neglect or abuse. A significant majority of SCR reports do not involve abuse but rather reflect instances where poverty has been misclassified as “neglect.” The consequences of having one’s name on the SCR are significant, often limiting access to certain employment and economic opportunities. 

Skadden and HSF Kramer’s team worked with seven BDS clients.   Through these partnerships, we have been able to help our clients clear their records permanently.  

EAD Clinics: Consistent, Collaborative Impact
Each month, we've run an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) clinic and will continue to do so to end 2026. EADs, commonly known as “work permits, are vital for non-citizens as it grants them the legal right to work in the United States while awaiting permanent residency, asylum, or other immigration statuses. EAD's serve as a pathway for non-citizens to access employment opportunities, financial stability, and access to benefits and other services that ensure their sustained success in the US. This summer alone we helped 25 people with support from 70+ volunteers. We're grateful for the continued partnership of Skadden, Arnold & Porter, and Crowell in making these summer legal clinics possible.

Looking Ahead
As we move into the next chapter, we're focused on:
•    Expanding our EAD clinics to serve even more people 
•    Increasing the number of law firms partners in our habeas clinic
•    Exploring new clinic formats  and  models that could help us reach more clients and create more pro bono opportunities
•    Getting more law firms more deeply involved in our criminal and family defense practices 
•    Celebrating these partnerships and work at our 30th anniversary benefit on Tuesday, November 17th, 2026! We hope to see you there! 
 

Thank you to all of our firm partners, volunteers, and summer associates who made this summer possible. We're looking forward to building on this momentum in the months ahead.