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.
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.
All about Bozeman MT’s tenant RTC
The city of Bozeman MT enacted a tenant RTC law on 12/2/25, which is the first to extend the RTC to pre-filing mediation.
All about Cincinnati’s expanded tenant rep ordinance
Reports from Cincinnati flag the low number of represented tenants and high eviction rates, as well as the positive impact of representation.
All about the tenant right to counsel in Kansas City
Kansas City has enacted an ordinance guaranteeing counsel for all tenants facing eviction regardless of income.
Montana guarantees counsel for children, but exact role unclear
A court must appoint counsel for a child in an abuse or termination matter, but the exact role of the attorney is evolving.
NY high court: parents in TPR cases have right to effective assistance of counsel
The NY high court held that parents in termination of parental rights cases have the right to effective assistance of counsel.
Read about the NCCRC’s year in the PJC’s Annual Report
The Public Justice Center, which created and staffs the NCCRC, released its annual report featuring the NCCRC's 2025 activities.
Immigration study finds representation more than halves immigrant removal rate
A study by the American Immigration Council found that representation of immigrants more than halved removal rates.
All about St. Louis’s tenant RTC program
St. Louis has enacted a right to counsel for all tenants facing eviction.
Study finds NYC’s tenant RTC improves child health, housing stability
A new study from housing researchers finds that NYC's tenant RTC program helps children's health needs while improving housing stability.
KY study: longer cases, which happens w/tenant rep, avoid eviction
A Kentucky study found a positive link between tenant representation, case length, and eviction rates.
All about the right to counsel for evictions in NYC
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.
