Major developments

At the 2016 NLADA Exemplar Award Dinner, Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called for the right to counsel in civil cases.

Former NY Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman has called for New York to hold a constitutional convention on the right to counsel in civil cases.

A study on the impact of providing counsel for DV victims was conducted by the University of Iowa and Iowa Legal Aid.

A law passed in 2016 requires the court to appoint an attorney for a child to act as guardian ad litem in termination cases.

SJR 28, passed by the California Assembly, urges the federal government to guarantee counsel for children in immigration cases.

A law passed in 2016 requires the court to appoint an attorney for a child to act as guardian ad litem in abuse/neglect cases.

New York City has created an innovative project for providing counsel for detainees in immigration cases.

A New Mexico appellate court held that a trial court's failure to advise a parent of her statutory right to counsel was fundamental error.

A report examines the situation in Washington State as to when children are appointed counsel in child welfare cases.

A new "Justice for All Initiative" launched by national court leaders includes civil right to counsel as part of the plan.

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held there is a right to counsel for parents in adoption cases under the NJ Constitution's Due Process Clause.

A class action filed in federal court seeks a constitutional right to counsel for all immigrant children in deportation proceedings.

A 2016 law authorizes a court to appoint counsel post-imposition of a guardianship/conservatorship if the court determines the ward needs it.

In 2009, California enacted the Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act, which created right to counsel pilots, and in 2016 made them permanent.

In 2009, California enacted the Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act, which created right to counsel pilots, and in 2016 made them permanent.

In 2009, California enacted the Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act, which created right to counsel pilots, and in 2016 made them permanent.

The U.N. Committee to End Racial Discrimination (CERD) has called on the U.S. to guarantee counsel in immigration cases.

A paper requested by the ABA Commission on the Future of Legal Services explores the history and future of the civil right to counsel movement.

A Pennsylvania court reversed a termination of parental rights decision where the parent had been denied her right to appointed counsel.

The updated Justice Index, which ranks the states on access to justice, now includes some factors relating to civil right to counsel.

In 2016, the Mississippi Legislature enacted a law authorizing youth court judges to appoint counsel for parents in child welfare cases.

This bill specifies that a child's appointed counsel continues past termination of parental rights until permanent placement has been finalized.

The Supreme Judicial Court of MA held there is a constitutional right to counsel in proceedings to establish or modify a child guardianship.

A new law authorizes appointment of counsel for a person (other than the defendant) claiming an interest in property subject to forfeiture.

The Wisconsin legislature has created a study committee to examine how to expand access to counsel in civil cases.

In 2016, the Mississippi Legislature passed a bill authorizing judges to appoint counsel for parents in termination of parental rights cases.

The Supreme Court of Texas held that a parent's right to counsel in child welfare cases extends to an appeal to the high court.

The Supreme Court of Texas held that a parent's right to counsel in termination of parental rights cases extends to an appeal to the high court.

A story by the Associated Press features civil right to counsel legislation across the country and the NCCRC.

An enacted 2016 bill permits a trial court to appoint counsel for a parent in a private termination of parental rights proceeding.