Major developments

Building off of NYCs success, a new bill would guarantee counsel for low-income tenants across New York State in a variety of situations.

In January 2022, We celebrated the eviction right to counsel movement and its leaders.

The Colorado Court of Appeals has ruled that indigent parents in child support contempt cases pursued by the government have a right to counsel.

In May, Maryland became the second state to provide a statewide right to counsel for indigent tenants facing evictoin.

In May 2021, Connecticut became the third state to enact a statewide right to counsel for indigent tenants facing eviction.

The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that involuntarily committed patients objecting to medication have a right to counsel.

The 2020 World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index ranked the U.S. 126th in the world on access to civil justice.

Kansas City has enacted an ordinance guaranteeing counsel for all tenatns facing eviction regardless of income.

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.

An increasing number of legal services programs have tapped a number of different federal funding pots to expand tenant representation.

A report from the RVA Eviction Lab finds Richmond eviction cases are incredibly short and that tenant counsel has a profound effect on outcomes.

A new research report finds that children with counsel in child welfare cases have improved permanency outcomes and the State saves money.

Ithaca has passed a resolution supporting the right to counsel for tenants and provided an annual appropriation.

Minneapolis has enacted an ordinance providing a right to counsel for low-income tenants facing eviciton.

In April 2021, Washington State became the first state with a statewide right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

A new bill would require courts to appoint counsel for all tenants in eviction cases.

The City of Baltimore has enacted a bill to provide all low-income tenants facing eviction with counsel .

A 2021 change to the law guarantees appointment of counsel in conservatorship cases. California statutes require appointment of counsel in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, but there are conditions.

The City of Toledo has enacted legislation to guarantee counsel to low-income tenants facing eviction.

A court must appoint counsel for a birth parent, but only for certain types of adoption and only with respect to filing or revoking consent.

A combined press release from the Treasury Department, HUD and AG"s Office urged states to use federal funding for right to counsel for tenants.

A Texas Court of Appeals found error in a trial court's decision to dismiss a parent's appointed counsel on the grounds of non-indgience.

The South Dakota Supreme Court has said that attorneys for children must inform courts of a child's wishes in child welfare cases.

A 2021 bill changed the law such that appointment of counsel for parents in abusen/neglect cases is mandatory, not discretionary.

The City of Tulsa is exploring a potential right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.

Milwaukee County has passed a resolution in support of right to counsel and appropriated sufficient funding to make that happen.

The 11th Circuit has held unconstitutional an Alabama law permitting courts to appoint a guardian ad litem for a fetus in abortion access cases.

The Philadelphia City Council has enacted a right to counsel for tenants.

Denver has enacted an ordinance to guarantee counsel for tenants facing eviction, and there is also a pending ballot initaitive.

The City Council has committed to providing funding such that most low-income tenants can be provided counsel.