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.
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 Houstons 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.
All about Washington State's groundbreaking eviction right to counsel
10/03/2023
In April 2021, Washington State became the first state with a statewide right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
All about the tenant right to counsel in Kansas City
10/03/2023
Kansas City has enacted an ordinance guaranteeing counsel for all tenants facing eviction regardless of income.
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.
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.
Right to counsel
06/26/2023
Connecticut statutes and court rule guarantee counsel for indigent parents in abuse/neglect proceedings, and allows appointment for the appeal.
Right to counsel
06/26/2023
A Connecticut statute guarantees counsel for indigent parents in termination proceedings who appear without counsel.
Right to counsel
06/26/2023
The court must appoint counsel for a minor in an abuse/neglect case, and can appoint counsel for the appeal.
Right to counsel
06/26/2023
Minors have a right to counsel in termination of parental rights proceedings.
Right to counsel
06/18/2023
The court must appoint an attorney ad litem for the subject of a guardianship proceeding.
Delaware takes major step towards tenant right to counsel
06/16/2023
Delaware's new law entitles tenants to counsel in certain housing matters, but subject to qualifications that fall short of a full right.
Jersey City becomes 21st jurisdiction with tenant right to counsel
06/15/2023
Following a push from the North New Jersey DSA, Jersey City has adopted a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Nevada guarantees counsel for Indian children
06/13/2023
The court must appoint counsel to represent an Indian child in an abuse/neglect matter where custody is at issue.
LA provides discretionary appt of counsel for children in some private TPR matters
06/09/2023
In TPR matters brought based on commission of a sex offense resulting in conception of the child, the court may appoint counsel.
Nevada guarantees / strengthens counsel for children in abuse/neglect proceedings
06/06/2023
A court must appoint counsel for a child in an abuse/neglect proceeding.
Discretionary appointment of counsel
06/06/2023
A court may appoint counsel for accused parents and must appoint counsel where protective custody of Indian child is sought.
Colorado enacts RTC for parents in due process appeals where the parent prevailed below
05/25/2023
Parents of students with a disability have the right to counsel in due process appeals where they prevailed below.
Minnesota creates limited statewide tenant right to counsel
05/19/2023
A bill enacted in 2023 provides a right to counsel for public housing tenants threatened with eviction for an alleged breach of lease.
Westchester County NY is first county with tenant right to counsel
05/19/2023
In May 2023, Westchester County NY became the first county, and 19th jurisdiction, to provide a right to counsel for tenants.
All about Detroit's tenant right to counsel
05/16/2023
In May 2022, Detroit became the latest city to enact a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Right to attorney ad litem for certain payees
05/16/2023
The court must appoint an attorney GAL for payees who are minors or appear to "suffer from a mental or cognitive impairment."
Right to counsel
05/15/2023
Indigent civil contempt respondents have a right to counsel; a jail sentence may not be imposed unless criminal contempt defendant has counsel.