Brooklyn Defender Services Pro Bono Unit has partnered with Cooley LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP to support families impacted by the family regulation system – often mistakenly known as the “child welfare system.” BDS educated Cooley and Skadden volunteers on the harmful effects on parents, children, and families by this system and trained them to best support our clients in navigating system involvement. Cooley’s dedicated volunteers assisted eight people with getting their names cleared from the State Central Registry (SCR), and Skadden’s incredible team of volunteers supported four people in filing motions to vacate their SCR findings.

This work is incredibly important in combating the systemic inequities of low income and Black and Latine families in New York City. An overwhelming majority of SCR reports and indicated findings of neglect do not involve abuse, rather they involve symptoms of poverty. A family's lack of resources leads to a report or finding by the SCR, which then limits a parent’s ability to obtain employment and acquire future resources. By penalizing parents for poverty, the system perpetuates circumstances that allow families to stay in poverty.

The Pro Bono Unit has also partnered with the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA). LFAA is a network of private firms and attorneys committed to systemic change and racial equity in the law. Every Summer, LDAA hosts a “Summer Associate Project Exchange,” wherein summer associates from participating firms research issues, legislation, or cases impacting racial justice. Pro Bono and Family Defense submitted a project regarding the impact of the Adoption and Safe Families Act on family separation of Black and Brown families. The project was accepted and will be researched by Linklaters LLP and Fenwick & West LLP.

BDS is so appreciative of all our volunteer’s commitment to our work. These partnerships are imperative to providing our clients with the best possible representation. If your firm is interested in partnering with Brooklyn Defenders Pro Bono Unit, please contact Molly Meltzer, Director of Pro Bono, at MMeltzer@bds.org.