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 Nashville’s tenant RTC pilot program
A report on Nashville's tenant rep pilot found it helped 93% of tenants avoid eviction / involuntary move while saving millions of dollars.
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.
All about tenant RTC efforts in Richmond VA
The City of Richmond passed a resolution supporting the concept of tenant RTC, which follows a prior $500k budget allocation for representation.
Discretionary appointment – Objecting parents in conservatorship cases
The court may appointment counsel for parents objecting to the appointment of a conservator.
WA legislature narrows right to counsel in guardianship/conservatorship cases
Court must appoint counsel for respondents who object, request counsel, or if their interests cannot otherwise be adequately protected.
WI tenant right to counsel bill dies
A 2026 Wisconsin bill that would have provided a right to counsel for tenants failed to pass.
UGCOPA adds discretionary appointment of counsel for parents
A 2026 law permits the court to appoint counsel for objecting parents in guardianship / conservatorship establishment cases.
Enacted UGCOPA Act clarifies guardianship counsel is client-directed, but weakens protections in conservatorships
A 2026 law guarantees adults client-directed counsel in guardianship establishment cases but discretionary appointment in conservatorships.
Enactment of UGCOPA weakens appointment of counsel for children
2026 changes to the law somewhat narrow the appointment of counsel in guardianship establishment matters.
Immigration right to counsel in the Trump era
The extensive enforcement actions of Homeland Security and ICE have raised many right to counsel questions, and not just for immigration cases.
