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.
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 counse 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.
Connecticut exploring right to counsel in eviction proceedings
01/01/2021
A bill has been introduced that would guarantee counsel for indigent tenants in eviction proceedings.
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.
Maryland bill would establish right to counsel for evictions
12/28/2020
A group of MD lawmakers introduced a legislative package that includes a right to counsel for 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.
Legal services orgs tap CARES Act money for tenant representation
12/10/2020
An increasing number of legal services programs have secured CARES Act funding to expand tenant representation.
Baltimore becomes 7th city with tenant right to counsel
12/01/2020
The City of Baltimore has enacted a bill to provide all low-income tenants facing eviction with counsel .
PRIORITY BILL: counsel in DV cases
11/25/2020
Two bills would a create legislative task force to study appointment of counsel for DV victims.
PRIORITY BILL: counsel in guardianship cases
11/25/2020
A proposed bill would require appointment of counsel for the protected person in guardianship cases, rather than it being discretionary.
PA high court acts to strengthen child's right to counsel
11/10/2020
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvnia held that appellate courts can sua sponte review certain questions related to the child's right t ocounsel.
Boulder becomes 6th city with eviction right to counsel
11/03/2020
In Nov 2020, voters in Boulder Colorado approved a ballot initiative establishing a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
MA to provide counsel to tenants statewide
10/12/2020
Massachusetts will provide $12.3 million to provide counsel to tenants across the state.
AAAS highlights right to counsel in civil justice report
10/01/2020
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences released a report highlighting efforts to expand the right to counsel in civil cases.
About COVID-19 and the right to counsel
09/05/2020
All about COVID-19 and how it relates to the right to counsel in critically important civil cases like housing.
Houston will guarantee counsel for some tenants
09/04/2020
A new project will guarantee tenants counsel in certain Houston housing courts.
Rochester NY to provide counsel for all tenants
09/04/2020
Rochester NY will be providing counsel to all tenants facing eviction.
All about the eviction right to counsel efforts in Los Angeles
09/01/2020
Los Angeles is exploring whether to enact an ordinance providing a right to counsel in housing court similar to New York City.
All about the right to counsel for tenants in San Francisco
08/27/2020
A ballot initiative passed in June 2018 guarantees counsel for San Francisco tenants in eviction cases regardless of income.
Federal bills would fund state/local attorneys for tenants
08/04/2020
Bills introduced in the House and Senate would provide federal funding for cities and state to provide counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Sen. Harris files federal right to counsel bill
07/18/2020
Sen. Kamala Harris filed a comprehensive housing reform bill that would, among other things, provide a right to counsel for tenants.
New tool predicts expected # of eviction filings due to COVID-19
07/17/2020
A new tool shows the number of rent-unstable renter households in the U.S. as well as how many eviction filings that may lead to.
MD court: threat of incarceration makes right to counsel attach
07/06/2020
A Maryland appellate court held that statutory law entitles civil contempt defendants to counsel when they are threatened with incarceration.
All about Cleveland's eviction right to counsel
07/01/2020
A bill guarantees counsel to Cleveland families with children facing eviction who are at or below 100% of the federal poverty level.