Pro Bono Client Wins Amendment of New York State Central Register Report

Paul, Weiss successfully represented a pro bono client seeking to amend an indicated report of child maltreatment in the New York State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR), which is maintained by the state’s Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). Following an administrative hearing, the OCFS determined that, due to our client’s demonstration of rehabilitation, the SCR report was no longer relevant or reasonably related to child care issues and may no longer be disclosed to prospective employers or licensing agencies. The agency additionally clarified that a subset of maltreatment allegations identified by Paul, Weiss were unsubstantiated and previously indicated in error.

Corporate associate Robertson Dorsett argued the case before an OCFS administrative law judge. Litigation partner Audra Soloway and pro bono counsel Jeremy Benjamin supervised the matter. The case was referred to Paul, Weiss by the New York County Lawyers Association through their State Central Registry Project, which provides pro bono representation to eligible individuals who seek to amend, seal or expunge indicated reports from the SCR. Dorsett previously worked for NYCLA as part of New York’s Pro Bono Scholars Program.