Major developments
This page lists all of the most recent developments on civil right to counsel across the country. These could be newly created rights to counsel, significant publications, public events, advocacy efforts, or other things that don't fit into a neat category.
Lawsuit challenging failure to appoint lawyers for foreclosed NY homeowners settles
03/20/2024
A lawsuit by the NYCLU challenging the failure of NY courts to determine whether foreclosed homeowners should be appointed counsel has settled.
NEW RESOURCE: advancing racial/health justice through RTC
03/15/2024
A new policy brief explores how to advance both racial and health justice through a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
All about Washington State's groundbreaking eviction right to counsel
03/11/2024
In April 2021, Washington State became the first state with a statewide right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
All about the right to counsel for evictions in NYC
03/07/2024
NYC is the first jurisdiction in the country to establish a right to counsel for low-income tenants in eviction cases, and is looking to expand.
Reaction to RAND op-ed in LA Times
03/01/2024
Our Coordinator responds to a piece in the LA Times by a RAND economist attacking the idea of a tenant right to counsel.
NY bill would guarantee counsel in all immigration removal cases
02/24/2024
A statewide bill in NY would provide a right to counsel for both detained and non-detained immigrants in removal proceedings.
All about Cleveland's eviction right to counsel
02/01/2024
A bill guarantees counsel to Cleveland families with children facing eviction who are at or below 100% of the federal poverty level.
AZ bill would provide counsel to individuals in matters related to child abuse registry
02/01/2024
The Arizona legislature has introduced a bill to provide a right to counsel to individuals in matters related to child abuse registry.
MO legislature to consider several bills that would provide client-direct counsel for kids
01/25/2024
The MO legislature is considering several bills that would change a child's right to an attorney GAL to the right to client-directed counsel.
HI introduces legislation to reform fees provision
01/24/2024
Two 2024 bills would prohibit the court form assessing costs for minor's representation against minor or their parents.
All about Connecticut's eviction right to counsel
01/13/2024
In May 2021, Connecticut became the third state to enact a statewide right to counsel for indigent tenants facing eviction.
Chattanooga tenant rep pilot demonstrates impressive results
01/10/2024
A report examining Chattaooga's Eviction Prevention Initiative found that tenant representation improved outcomes in a variety of ways.
Indiana introduces bills to provide a right to counsel for certain children in abuse cases
01/10/2024
The Indiana legislature has introduced several bills that would reform the law around the right to counsel for children in abuse matters.
New Jersey introduces bill to study impact of lack of counsel in DV matters
01/09/2024
A bill introduced in 2024 would create a task force to study the impact of lack of counsel on domestic violence matters.
Nebraska introduces a bill to reform forfeiture proceedings
01/04/2024
The bill would provide criminal defendants who are represented by appointed counsel with the right to counsel in any related forfeiture case.
All about right to counsel efforts in Tulsa OKC
01/01/2024
Tulsa and Oklahoma City are exploring a potential right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
All about the tenant right to counsel in Kansas City
12/27/2023
Kansas City has enacted an ordinance guaranteeing counsel for all tenants facing eviction regardless of income.
PA joins majority of states in establishing RTC for guardianships
12/14/2023
There is a right to client-directed counsel in guardianship establishment, modification, and termination proceedings, regardless of ability to pay.
All about Philadelphia's eviction right to counsel
12/04/2023
The Philadelphia City Council has enacted a right to counsel for tenants.
All About D.C.'s RTC pilots
11/02/2023
The D.C. Council appropriated $4.5 million for housing eviction defense with an eye towards a right to counsel in housing cases.
Federal funding for tenant rep / right to counsel
11/01/2023
An increasing number of legal services programs have tapped a number of different federal funding pots to expand tenant representation.
All about Houston's right to counsel pilot programs
10/30/2023
A project provides all tenants counsel in certain Houston housing courts.
U.S. rank on access to civil justice in Rule of Law Index: 116th out of 142 countries
10/25/2023
The 2022 World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index ranked the U.S. 116th in the world on access to civil justice.
U.S. gets "C-" on access to counsel in housing cases
10/16/2023
The latest Human Rights Report Card from the National Homelessness Law Center gives the United States a "C-" on security of housing tenure.
All about the eviction right to counsel efforts in Los Angeles
10/11/2023
Los Angeles City and County are moving towards enacting laws providing a right to counsel in housing court.
St. Pete weighs right to counsel for tenants facing eviction
10/03/2023
The City of St. Pete is considering providing a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Right to counsel
09/15/2023
There is a RTC for either party in a DV proceeding under Article 8, including for appeal, and for certain minor respondents in juvenile court.
No such proceeding
09/11/2023
Previously, there was a qualified right to counsel in sterilization proceedings. But the legislature repealed the provisions in 2023.
Colorado court reverses denial of counsel in contempt case
07/13/2023
The appellate court overturned a contempt order where the respondent was unrepresented and the trial court failed to analyze his ability to pay.
St. Louis is 22nd right to counsel jurisdiction
07/07/2023
St. Louis has enacted a right to counsel for all tenants facing eviction.