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.
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.
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.
Certain Houston courts will provide counsel for all tenants
03/10/2021
A new project will provide all tenants counsel in certain Houston housing courts.
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.
Webinar series featured organizing around eviction right to counsel
02/01/2021
A webinar series hosted by the NCCRC and the Right to Counsel Coalition of NYC featured 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.
Indiana considering tenant right to counsel for Marion County
01/16/2021
A pending bill would guarantee counsel for tenants facing eviction in Marion County Small Claims Court.
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.
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.
Nebraska bill would create right to counsel for all tenants
01/11/2021
A new bill would require courts to appoint counsel for all 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 California's Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel projects
06/30/2020
In 2009, California enacted the Shriver Civil Counsel Act to create right to counsel pilots, and in 2016 they were made permanent projects.
All about California's Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel projects
06/30/2020
In 2009, California enacted the Shriver Civil Counsel Act to create right to counsel pilots, and in 2016 they were made permanent projects.
All about California's Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel projects
06/30/2020
In 2009, California enacted the Shriver Civil Counsel Act to create right to counsel pilots, and in 2016 they were made permanent projects.