Civil RTC News
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.
U.S. drops to 112th out of 143 countries on access to civil justice
The 2024 World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index ranked the U.S. 107th out of 142 countries in the world on access to civil justice.
All about Milwaukee’s universal tenant representation program
Milwaukee County has passed a resolution in support of right to counsel and appropriated sufficient funding to make that happen.
All about Connecticut’s eviction right to counsel
In May 2021, Connecticut became the third state to enact a statewide right to counsel for indigent tenants facing eviction.
CA enacts RTC for immigrant children
CA became the first state to enact a RTC in the immigration context, in particular for "immigrant youth".
NYC provides partial RTC for DV victims in divorce proceedings
NYC has enacted a qualified right to counsel for DV victims in divorce proceedings.
MN Supreme Court expands RTC in civil commitment proceedings
The MN Supreme Court held writ proceedings to enforce rights under the civil commitment statute are covered by the statutory right to counsel.
All about Louisville’s eviction right to counsel
Louisville was the first Southern city to enact an eviction right to counsel.
Alabama appellate court reverses TPRs on multiple occasions due to violation of RTC
The Alabama Court of Appeals reversed a termination of parental rights where a parent's appointed lawyer was denied a continuance to prepare.
All about Washington State’s groundbreaking eviction right to counsel
In April 2021, Washington State became the first state with a statewide right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Montana Supreme Court twice acts to protect parent right to counsel
The Montana Supreme Court found that a parent had not waived his right to counsel in an adoption case, and strengthened the waiver standard.
All about San Francisco’s DV right to counsel pilot ballot initiative
A 2022 ballot initiative, Proposition D, creates a 1-year pilot to provide a right to counsel for San Francisco victims of domestic violence.
Lawrence Tenants pushing Douglas County (KS) to enact tenant RTC
Lawrence Tenants, a tenant organizing group in Lawrence KS, is pushing the city to consider a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
