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.
Legal services orgs tap new federal funds for tenant representation
04/15/2021
An increasing number of legal services programs have tapped a number of different federal funding pots to expand tenant representation.
New Jersey launches eviction right to counsel pilot
04/15/2021
New Jersey will be providing counsel to all tenants facing eviction in 3 pilot sites.
Charlottesville city officials, advocates exploring tenant right to counsel
04/15/2021
Advocates are calling for a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction in Charlottesville, and the City Council is exploring it.
Legal Services Corp. President calls for eviction right to counsel
04/15/2021
An opinion piece in the Houston Chronicle by the Legal Services Corporation President calls for immediate passage of an eviction right ocounsel.
Maryland is first state to pass eviction RTC bill through legislature
04/13/2021
Maryland's eviction right to counsel bill has cleared the Legislature and is on the way to the Governor.
Santa Monica explores eviction right to counsel
04/10/2021
Santa Monica has taken steps to move towards a right to counsel in eviction cases.
5th Circuit: appointment of counsel portion of ICWA is constitutional
04/09/2021
The Fifth Circuit upheld the portion of the Indian Child Welfare Act relating to appointment of counsel for parents.
Seattle becomes eighth city with eviction right to counsel
03/29/2021
A bill enacted by the Seattle City Council provides a right to counsel for all low-income tenants facing eviction.
PA Superior Court: appointed counsel must represent so long as there is a likelihood of imprisonment
03/17/2021
The PA Superior Court instructs that on remand, so long as there is a likelihood of imprisonment, appointed counsel must continue to represent.
Denver advocates launch eviction RTC ballot initiative
03/12/2021
Advocates in Denver are seeking to pass a ballot initative establishing a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Supreme Court of Hawaii ruling strengthens parents’ right to counsel in child welfare cases
03/11/2021
The Supreme Court of Hawaii has ruled that parents must be appointe counsel for all types of child welfare cases upon filing of the petition.
Houston will guarantee counsel for some tenants
03/10/2021
A new project will guarantee tenants counsel in certain Houston housing courts.
Right to counsel pilot proposed in Milwaukee
03/05/2021
A Milwaukee County Supervisor has proposed a pilot to provide a limited right to counsel in the city.
Connecticut bill seeks right to counsel in eviction proceedings
03/04/2021
A bill has been introduced that would guarantee counsel for indigent tenants in eviction proceedings.
New polling data shows strong support for eviction right to counsel
02/19/2021
Data for Progress has released new polling data showing the American public strongly supports a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Policy brief makes case for universal representation in immigration
02/19/2021
A policy brief by the Vera Institute shares compelling statistics justifying the creation of a universal representation program for immigrants.
All about Cleveland's eviction right to counsel
02/05/2021
A bill guarantees counsel to Cleveland families with children facing eviction who are at or below 100% of the federal poverty level.
Webinar series will feature organizing around eviction right to counsel
02/01/2021
A webinar series hosted by the NCCRC and the Right to Counsel Coalition of NYC will feature organizing efforts around right to counsel.
Minnesota joins states with statewide RTC bill
01/28/2021
A newly filed bill would provide a right to counsel for public housing tenants facing an eviction for an alleged breach of lease.
Mississippi pilots show significant benefit of counsel in child welfare cases
01/15/2021
A recent Mississippi study showed that parents benefit significantly when given access to legal counsel.
All about right to counsel efforts in Tulsa
01/14/2021
The City of Tulsa is exploring a potential right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Nebraska bill would create right to counsel for all tenants
01/14/2021
A new bill would require courts to appoint counsel for all tenants in eviction cases.
Maryland AG Task Force recommends RTC for evictions
01/13/2021
The Maryand Attorney General's Access to Justice Task Force released a report recommending a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Washington State bill would esablish right to counsel for tenants
01/12/2021
A statewide bill would guarantee counsel for indigent tenants in eviction cases.
Trial court found to have abused discretion in failing to apopint counsel for parent
01/09/2021
A Louisian appelalte court reversed an adoption because the trial court failed to determine if the birth parent was entitled to counsel.
South Carolina bill would provide right to counsel for tenants
01/01/2021
A newly-introduced bill would guarantee counsel for indigent South Carolina tenants facing eviction.
Right to counsel
12/27/2020
There is an arguable right to appointed counsel in sterilization proceedings.
Federal stimulus/budget bill has money for tenant representation
12/24/2020
The relief/omnibus bill passed by Congress in December 2020 has several pots of money for enant representation.
Supreme Court of Ohio recognizes right to counsel in adoption cases
12/22/2020
The Supreme Court of Ohio ruled that indigent parents in adoption cases have a right to counsel under the Equal Protection Clause.
All about the right to counsel for evictions in NYC
12/14/2020
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.