4D. Eviction Right to Counsel: How it Works and How to Get It in Your City

With New York City, San Francisco, and Newark leading the charge on adopting a right to counsel for tenants in eviction cases, and with half a dozen other cities pursuing similar measures, the housing right to counsel movement has reached a watershed moment. This panel will address both the “before” and “after” of this remarkable new trend: how cities have obtained this right, how San Francisco is successfully implementing its right to counsel model, and what it’s like practicing in a right to counsel jurisdiction. Workshop participants will learn about the significant role of tenant organizing; the role of data regarding eviction rates; the impact of counsel; and post-eviction costs; messaging to overcome opposition; and identification and enlisting of key power players. Additionally, participants will learn about San Francisco’s developing model; best practices regarding client representation; the importance of developing relationships with opposing counsel; and implementation of right-to-access models and that model’s impact on the community.

Eviction Right to Counsel: How it Works and How to Get It in Your City