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.
Cincinnati data flags troubling eviction stats, positive representation results
03/30/2023
Reports from Cincinnati flag the low number of represented tenants and high eviction rates, as well as the positive impact of representation.
Milwaukee County provides counsel for all tenants facing eviction
03/27/2023
Milwaukee County has passed a resolution in support of right to counsel and appropriated sufficient funding to make that happen.
Guardianship right to counsel featured in Bloomberg
03/26/2023
A recent article from Bloomberg Law looks at flaws in state right to counsel laws, as well as the success of representation when provided.
Discretionary appointment of counsel for child witnesses
03/23/2023
The court may appoint an attorney as a GAL for minors called as witnesses.
All about the tenant right to counsel in Kansas City
03/20/2023
Kansas City has enacted an ordinance guaranteeing counsel for all tenants facing eviction regardless of income.
All about Washington State's groundbreaking eviction right to counsel
03/12/2023
In April 2021, Washington State became the first state with a statewide right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
Right to guardian ad litem
03/09/2023
An adult subject of protective services proceeding has the right to a GAL, but it is unclear whether GAL must be an attorney.
Right to Counsel
03/09/2023
Indigent parents and Indian custodians have the right to counsel in termination proceedings concerning Indian children.
Right to Counsel
03/09/2023
Indian children have a discretionary right to counsel in termination proceedings.
Right to counsel
03/08/2023
Adoptees in contested adoption matters have the right to a GAL, who must be an attorney.
All about the right to counsel for evictions in NYC
03/07/2023
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.
Detroit is latest city to enact tenant right to counsel
03/01/2023
In May 2022, Detroit became the latest city to enact a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction.
All about the eviction right to counsel efforts in Los Angeles
02/14/2023
Los Angeles is exploring whether to enact an ordinance providing a right to counsel in housing court similar to New York City.
Massachusetts considers tenant right to counsel
02/12/2023
Bills have been filed to create a statewide right to counsel in eviction cases, and a statewide coalition has been launched to support them.
All about Toledo's right to counsel for tenants facing eviction
02/10/2023
The City of Toledo has enacted legislation to guarantee counsel to low-income tenants facing eviction.
All about Louisville's eviction right to counsel
02/03/2023
Louisville is first the Southern city to enact an eviction right to counsel.
St. Louis considering tenant right to counsel
02/03/2023
A bill has been introduced that would provide St. Louis tenants with a right to counsel when facing eviction.
All about Cleveland's eviction right to counsel
02/01/2023
A bill guarantees counsel to Cleveland families with children facing eviction who are at or below 100% of the federal poverty level.
White House version of Tenant Bill of Rights includes right to counsel
01/27/2023
The recently-released White House Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights urges states to give tenants a right to counsel.
All about Philadelphia's eviction right to counsel
01/17/2023
The Philadelphia City Council has enacted a right to counsel for tenants.
All about the children's right to counsel in PA TPR cases
01/14/2023
Children have a right to counsel in termination of parental rights cases, although the child's GAL can sometimes play this role.
New disability policy framework includes right to counsel
01/14/2023
New guidelines from the Disability Economic Justice Collaborative call for the inclusion of right to counsel as a reasonable accommodation.
All about Connecticut's eviction right to counsel
01/13/2023
In May 2021, Connecticut became the third state to enact a statewide right to counsel for indigent tenants facing eviction.
Arbitrator may appoint attorney for child
01/10/2023
Arbitrator of family law matter may appoint an attorney, GAL, or other representative for a child.
Arbitrator may appoint attorney for child
01/10/2023
Arbitrator of family law matter may appoint an attorney, GAL, or other representative for a child.
CityHealth ranks cities on tenant right to counsel policies
01/04/2023
CityHealth, which ranks cities on their policies, is making a push in conjunction with the NCCRC for cities to adopt a tenant right to counsel.
U.S. rank on access to civil justice in Rule of Law Index drops to 126th out of 139 countries
12/29/2022
The 2022 World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index ranked the U.S. 126th in the world on access to civil justice.
HUD grants fund tenant representation
12/29/2022
Three rounds of HUD grants are providing funding to legal services providers to represent tenants facing eviction.
Omaha looks to add tenant right to counsel
12/29/2022
Omaha's affordable housing plan includes right to counsel as one of its stated goals.
Multnomah County ballot initiative would establish eviction RTC
12/17/2022
A proposed ballot initiative for May 2023 would establish a right to counsel for Multnomah County tenants facing eviction.