ADMISSION OF ATTORNEYS
(Amended September 15, 2025)
(a) Qualifications
Any attorney of the Bar of the State of Connecticut or of the bar of any United States District
Court, whose professional character is good, may be admitted to practice in this Court upon a
Petition for Admission, in form and substance prescribed by subsection (b) of this Rule, after
paying the admission fee, taking the proper oath, and signing the Roll of Attorneys Admitted to
the Bar of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.
(b) Procedure for Admission
An attorney seeking admission to the Bar of this Court shall file with the Clerk of this Court a
written Petition for Admission in the form prescribed by the Judges of this Court. A certificate of
good standing from all of the petitioner’s state bar(s) must be included with the Petition. Such
petition shall also be accompanied by a sworn affidavit setting forth the following information:
(i) the petitioner's residence and office address, and office telephone number, fax number
and email address;
(ii) a list of courts to which the petitioner has been admitted to practice;
(iii) the petitioner's legal training and experience at the bar;
(iv) the petitioner’s representation that he or she has studied carefully the jurisdictional
provisions of Title 28 U.S.C., the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Criminal
Procedure, and the Local Rules of this Court;
(v) the petitioner has never been convicted of any crime, other than minor traffic offenses;
(vi) the petitioner has no pending disciplinary complaint(s) as to which a finding has been
made that such complaint(s) should proceed to a hearing; and
(vii) the petitioner has not been denied admission to, been disciplined by, resigned from,
surrendered a license to practice before, or withdrawn an application for admission to practice
while facing a disciplinary complaint before, this Court or any other court.
If the petitioner cannot so state as to (b)(v), (vi) and (vii), then the petitioner must describe in
full the circumstances of any such conviction, complaint, denial, discipline, resignation,
surrender, or withdrawal, including the reasons therefor, any penalty, sanction or other discipline
imposed, whether such discipline was satisfied, and whether the attorney is currently in good
standing in such jurisdiction(s). The Judges of this District or their designee shall make such
inquiry as deemed appropriate. It shall take a majority vote of the Judges to admit such
petitioner to this Bar. For the purpose of this Rule, “minor traffic offenses” shall mean motor
vehicle violations which are neither felonies nor misdemeanors.
The petition and affidavit of the petitioner shall be accompanied by the sworn affidavits of two
sponsoring members of the Bar of this Court. The sponsoring attorney’s affidavits must attest:
(i) where and when the sponsor was admitted to practice in this Court,
(ii) that the sponsor has known the petitioner in a professional legal capacity for at least six
months,
(iii) that the petitioner has good professional character,
(iv) that the petitioner is experienced at the bar,
(v) how long and under what circumstances the sponsor has known the petitioner’s
professional character and experience as an attorney, and
(vi) that the sponsor knows of no fact which would call into question the integrity or character
of the petitioner.
The Clerk will examine the petition and affidavits and, if found to be in compliance with this
Rule, the petition for admission will be presented to the Court at a time and place selected by the
Clerk. The requirement of two sworn affidavits may be waived in whole or in part, for good cause
shown, by a majority vote of the Judges of this District. At a minimum, a petitioner who is unable
to list two sponsors who are members of the Bar of this District instead shall provide sworn
affidavits from at least three sponsoring attorneys who are members of local federal or state
bars, wherein such sponsoring attorneys shall list the location and date of their Bar admission(s),
and shall attest to the subject matter listed at subdivisions (ii) through (vi), above.
When a hearing is held to grant a petition, a member of the Bar of this District shall move for
admission of the petitioner. The petitioner shall take an oath in open court to support the
Constitution and laws of the United States of America, and to discharge faithfully such
petitioner’s duties as an attorney according to the law and the recognized standards of ethics of
the profession. Under the direction of the Clerk, the newly admitted attorney shall sign the Roll
of Attorneys, or in cases approved by the Court, the Clerk shall add their name to the Roll
(indicating that the Clerk has done so on behalf of such newly admitted attorney). Additionally,
such newly admitted attorney shall pay the fee required by law, as well as an additional fee of
$52.00, which the Clerk shall place in a fund to be used for expenses incurred pursuant to Rule
83.2 of these Local Rules of Civil Procedure.
(c) Annual Registration Fee
Effective April 3, 2024, all attorneys who were admitted by regular admission shall register
annually between June 1 and August 31 to continue as active members of the bar of this Court.
Active status in the District Court is required for practice in both the U.S. District Court and in the
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut. Members of the bar shall pay an annual
fee of $50.00, which shall be placed in a fund maintained by the Clerk pursuant to the Plan for
the Administration of Non-Appropriated Fund and earmarked for the Federal Pro Se Legal
Assistance Program (“FPSLAP”). Annual registration fees will be used solely for purposes that
inure to the benefit of the FPSLAP, including but not limited to the salaries and fringe benefits of
FPSLAP employees, office furnishings and equipment, office telephones and cell phones and
related costs, copies, and costs of litigation. If members of the bar fail to pay their annual
registration fees, their filing privileges may be suspended, and they will be subject to removal
from the rolls of the Court’s bar.
(d) Address with the Court
(1) Any self-represented party must provide an address where service can be made upon
such party.
(2) A member of the bar of this Court who changes his or her office address shall notify the
Clerk of such change of address within 30 days of such change.
(e) Visiting Attorneys
(1) Attorneys not members of the Bar of this Court, but who are members in good standing
of the bar of another Federal or State Court, may be permitted to represent clients in criminal,
civil and miscellaneous proceedings in this Court on written motion by a member of the Bar of
this Court. The motion shall be accompanied by an affidavit, or declaration on a form available
from the Clerk’s Office or on the website and executed by the proposed visiting attorney:
(a) stating the proposed visiting attorney’s office address, telephone number, fax number,
and e-mail address;
(b) identifying the bar of each court of which said attorney is and has ever been a member,
and the corresponding bar identification number(s); or if no such numbers have been assigned,
so stating;
(c) stating that said attorney:
(i) has no pending disciplinary complaints as to which a finding has been made that such
complaint should proceed to a hearing; and
(ii) has not been denied admission to, been disciplined by, resigned from, surrendered a
license to practice before, or withdrawn an application for admission to practice while facing a
disciplinary complaint before, this Court or any other court; or, if the visiting attorney cannot so
state as to subsections (c)(i) and (c)(ii), then the visiting attorney must describe in full the
circumstances of any such complaint, denial, discipline, resignation, surrender, or withdrawal,
including the reasons therefor, any penalty, sanction or other discipline imposed, whether such
discipline was satisfied, and whether the attorney is currently in good standing in such
jurisdiction(s);
(d) stating that said attorney has fully reviewed and is familiar with the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure (for an attorney seeking admission in a civil case) or Criminal Procedure (for an
attorney seeking admission in a criminal case), the applicable Local Rules of the United States
District Court for the District of Connecticut, and the Connecticut Rules of Professional Conduct;
and
(e) designating the sponsoring attorney as his or her agent for service of process and the
District of Connecticut as the forum for the resolution of any dispute arising out of said attorney’s
admission under this Local Rule 83.1(e), to include matters involving grievances filed against the
visiting attorney and matters of attorney discipline that relate thereto.
(2) Said motion shall be made promptly and may be denied if granting the motion will require
modification of a scheduling order entered pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b). If the motion is
granted, the sponsoring attorney may apply to be excused from attendance in Court and
participation in other proceedings before the Court. A sponsoring attorney who is excused is not
thereby relieved of any other obligation of an appearing attorney. A visiting attorney admitted
pursuant to this Local Rule may participate in depositions, Rule 26(f) conferences, and other
conferences with other parties not involving Court personnel without the presence of the
sponsoring attorney.
(3) Each such motion filed on behalf of an attorney shall be accompanied by payment to the
Clerk of this Court of a fee of $200.00, which shall be placed in a fund maintained by the Clerk
pursuant to the Plan for the Administration of the Non-Appropriated Fund.
(4) Upon admission under this rule, an attorney shall promptly file with the Clerk of the Court
a certificate of good standing from the court of the state in which he or she has his or her primary
office.
Such certificate of good standing shall be filed no later than 60 days after the date of
admission and shall be dated no more than 60 days before the date of admission. Failure to file
such certificate will result in the automatic revocation of the visiting attorney status of said
attorney, absent an order of the Court. Furthermore, upon revocation of a visiting attorney’s
status in one case, the Clerk of the Court shall examine the Court’s Docket and revoke said
attorney’s visiting attorney status in all cases in which said attorney has filed an appearance.
RULE 83.2
DISCIPLINE OF ATTORNEYS
(Amended January 12, 2026)
(a) Professional Ethics
1. Except as provided in Rule 83.2(a)2 of these Local Rules, this Court recognizes the
authority of the “Rules of Professional Conduct,” as approved by the Judges of the Connecticut
Superior Court as expressing the standards of professional conduct expected of lawyers
practicing in the District of Connecticut. Any changes made by the Judges of the Connecticut
Superior Court to the Rules of Professional Conduct shall apply in the District of Connecticut, on
the date they become effective in the Connecticut Superior Court unless such changes are
expressly rejected by order of the District Judges. The Clerk shall report to the Judges any such
changes to the Connecticut Rules of Professional Conduct. The interpretation of said Rules of
Professional Conduct by any authority other than the United States Supreme Court, the United
States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the United States District Court for the
District of Connecticut shall not be binding in disciplinary proceedings initiated in the United
States District Court for the District of Connecticut.
2. This Court does not adopt the provisions of Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2 and 1.5
concerning limited representations and limited appearances. The ethical standards governing
public statements by counsel in a criminal case are set forth in Local Criminal Rule 57. The
ethical standards governing participation as counsel in a case where either the attorney or
another attorney in his or her firm may be a witness for both civil and criminal cases are set forth
in Local Civil Rule 83.13.
3. The following Local Civil Rules shall apply in grievance proceedings: Rule 83.1
(Admission of Attorneys), Rule 1 (Scope of Rules), Rule 10 (Preparation of Pleadings), Rule 5(b)
(Appearance), Rule 5(c) (Proof of Service), Rule 5(g) (Service in Manually Filed Cases), Rule
7(a) (Motion Procedures), Rule 7(b) (Motions for Extensions of Time.), and Rule 83.10 (Civil Pro
Bono Panel).
(b) Grievance Committee
1. The Judges of this Court shall appoint a Grievance Committee of the United States
District Court for the District of Connecticut consisting of twelve (12) members of the bar of this
Court. One member shall be appointed by the judges as the chairperson of the committee for a
term of three years.
2. Members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, renewable once, for an
additional term of three (3) years. If a member is appointed chairperson during the second term
of three years, that member may serve the full three-year term of chairperson, even if his or her
total tenure on the committee would thereby exceed six years. In the event that a vacancy
arises before the end of a term, a member of the bar of this Court shall be appointed by the
Judges of this Court to fill the vacancy for the balance of the term. Anyone filling such a vacancy
is eligible for reappointment to a full three-year term. Five (5) members of the Grievance
Committee shall constitute a quorum and any action taken by the Grievance Committee shall be
by a majority vote of those members present and voting.
3. The judges shall appoint three (3) members of the bar of this Court to serve as Counsel
to the Grievance Committee. Assignment of cases to each counsel shall be made on the basis
of the assigned seat of court, according to administrative procedures approved by the Clerk.
4. The Grievance Committee and Counsel to the Grievance Committee shall have the use
of the staff of the Clerk, grievance clerks, for clerical and record-keeping assistance, shall have
the power to issue subpoenas to compel witnesses to testify and produce documents at
proceedings, and may incur such expenses as shall be approved by the Chief Judge of this
Court. Compulsory process shall be available to the attorney who is the subject of the
complaint.
(c) General Procedures
1. Grievance cases are opened upon a) the filing of a verified complaint against an attorney
alleging misconduct relating to any matter relevant to an attorney’s qualifications to practice
before the court; b) judicial referral to the Grievance Committee upon an allegation of possible
misconduct relating to any matter relevant to an attorney’s qualification to practice before the
court; c) notice of a guilty plea or conviction of a serious crime; d) notice of discipline or
resignation in other courts; or e) notice of a finding of mental disability or incapacity.
2. The Clerk shall assign a docket number to the grievance cases consisting of the initials
“GP,” the last two digits of the year of filing, the number of the case (with the first case of each
year being designated as number 1), and the initials of the Judge to whom the case has been
assigned.
3. Each grievance case shall be assigned to a Judge on a random District-wide basis. Any
complaint which arises out of conduct witnessed by a particular Judge of this Court shall not be
assigned to that Judge. The personnel of the clerk’s office shall not reveal to any person other
than a Judge or the Clerk of this Court the order of assignment of such cases.
4. Grievance cases shall be considered sealed and shall not be a record open to the public
unless and until public discipline is ordered. Sealed documents filed in CM/ECF are not
accessible or viewable by electronic means. The Clerk’s Office will provide copies of sealed
documents to assigned counsel for the Grievance Committee. Grievance Committee counsel are
permitted to efile documents. Other members of the Grievance Committee may request from the
Clerk’s Office copies of documents filed in sealed grievance cases, which the Clerk will provide,
but are not permitted to efile documents. Counsel for the attorney who is the subject of the
grievance or such attorney, if he or she is proceeding as a self-represented party, may request
from the Clerk’s Office copies of sealed documents, which the Clerk will provide, and will be
permitted to efile documents.
(d) Proceedings Upon Complaint or Judicial Referral
1. Any person may file with the Clerk of the Court a written verified complaint alleging
attorney misconduct relating to any matter relevant to an attorney’s qualification to practice
before the court. The Clerk shall forward a copy of the complaint to the Grievance Committee
and counsel assigned to the matter.
2. Within thirty (30) days of the matter being opened, the attorney shall file a written
response to the complaint. The complainant may reply to the attorney’s response within twenty
(20) days after the response is filed.
3. After the briefing deadlines have passed, the Grievance Committee shall review the
complaint and determine if the matter warrants further action. The Grievance Committee, upon
appropriate notice, may conduct hearings as it deems appropriate under rules for fair procedure.
Such hearings shall be private unless the attorney complained against requests a public
proceeding. The Grievance Committee shall decide whether to recommend that the complaint be
dismissed or that the attorney complained against be disciplined (1) by private or public censure,
(2) by suspension from the practice of law for a fixed period of time, (3) by indefinite suspension,
(4) by disbarment, or (5) by any other appropriate remedial measure.
4. When any misconduct or allegation of misconduct which would warrant discipline of any
attorney admitted to practice before this Court comes to the attention of any Judge of this Court,
the Judge may refer the matter to the Grievance Committee for the initiation of a presentment or
the formulation of such other recommendation as may be appropriate. The Grievance
Committee may request that the Court order the attorney to respond to the referral. Nothing in
this Rule 83.2 shall be interpreted to limit the inherent authority of the Judge to enforce the
standards of professional conduct by way of appropriate proceedings other than by referral to
the Grievance Committee. The Judge who referred the matter to the Grievance Committee will
not be assigned to preside over any resulting disciplinary proceeding.
5. The Grievance Committee shall make its recommendation to the Court within 180 days
from the date the last brief permitted under this Rule would be due. If additional time is needed,
Counsel to the Committee shall notify the Clerk and up to an additional 180 days shall be
allowed.
6. If the recommendation of the Grievance Committee is to dismiss the complaint, the
recommendation shall be filed with the Court. The Committee may make a dismissal
recommendation conditioned on the satisfaction by the respondent of conditions determined by
the Committee to be appropriate under the circumstances. The complainant shall have the
opportunity to respond to the dismissal recommendation within thirty (30) days. The Judge to
whom the complaint has been assigned may hold further hearings on the recommendation to
dismiss or may dismiss the complaint on the written record presented by the Committee. If the
Judge decides not to dismiss the complaint, an Order to Show Cause shall be issued by the
Court directing the attorney complained against to show cause why disciplinary action should not
be taken.
7. If the Grievance Committee’s recommendation is for discipline, the Committee shall file
its recommendation in the form of a presentment, seeking an order to show cause why the
attorney complained against should not have disciplinary action taken against him or her as
prayed for in the presentment. The Committee may recommend discipline conditioned on the
satisfaction by the respondent of conditions determined by the Committee to be appropriate
under the circumstances.
8. Within thirty (30) days of service of the order to show cause issued pursuant to Local
Rule 83.2(d)6 or a presentment issued pursuant to Local Rule 83.2(d)7, the attorney complained
against shall file a written answer. Upon request of the attorney who is the subject of the
complaint, a hearing may be held by the Judge to whom the matter has been assigned. If the
attorney does not request a hearing, the Court may deem the hearing waived.
9. If a hearing is held, the attorney complained against shall have a right to be represented
by counsel, shall have the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses, and shall have the
right to offer the testimony of witnesses and other evidence on the attorney’s behalf. Discipline
shall not be imposed unless the Court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that the attorney
complained against should be disciplined. Unless requested to be a public proceeding by the
attorney complained against, all proceedings shall be in private and maintained under seal
unless and until discipline is ordered.
10. The attorney complained against may choose to waive presentment and hearing and to
agree upon a disposition with the Grievance Committee. In such event, the proposed, stipulated
disposition shall be presented to the Court, with a motion seeking the Court’s approval. Should
the Court deny the motion, an Order to Show Cause shall be issued by the Court directing the
attorney complained against to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken.
11. Upon the imposition of discipline, other than a private censure, the Court file shall be
unsealed and made a matter of public record. In that event, a notation shall be made on the
attorney’s admission record indicating the date and nature of the discipline imposed.
(e) Proceedings Upon Notice of Conviction of Crimes
1. The Grievance Committee shall be notified and take appropriate action of convictions of
“serious crimes” of attorneys admitted to practice before this Court and cause certified copies of
such convictions to be filed with this Court. The term “serious crime” shall include any felony and
any lesser crime a necessary element of which, as determined by the statutory or common law
definition of such crime in the jurisdiction where the judgment was entered, involves false
swearing, misrepresentation, fraud, willful failure to file tax returns or currency transaction
reports, deceit, bribery, extortion, misappropriation, theft, or an attempt or a conspiracy or
solicitation of another to commit, or the aiding and abetting the commission of any of the
foregoing crimes.
2. Upon the filing with this Court of a certified copy of a judgment of conviction or proof of
change of plea or jury verdict of guilty prior to sentencing, demonstrating that any attorney
admitted to practice before the Court has been convicted in any Court of the United States, or
the District of Columbia, or of any state, territory, commonwealth or possession of the United
States or any foreign country, of a serious crime, the Court shall open a grievance case as set
forth in subsection (c). The Court shall enter an order immediately suspending that attorney from
practice before this Court, whether the conviction resulted from a plea of guilty or nolo
contendere or from a verdict after trial or otherwise, and regardless of the pendency of any
appeal. A copy of such order shall immediately be sent to the attorney. Upon good cause
shown, the Court may set aside such order when it is in the interest of justice to do so. An
attorney suspended under the provisions of this subparagraph 2 shall be reinstated immediately
upon filing of a certificate demonstrating that the underlying conviction of a serious crime has
been reversed, but reinstatement will not terminate any disciplinary proceedings against the
attorney brought pursuant to this Local Rule 83.2. The matter shall automatically be referred to
the Grievance Committee for the institution of a presentment before this Court, in the manner
specified in Local Rule 83.2(d)7, in which the sole issue to be determined shall be the extent of
the final discipline to be imposed as the result of the conduct resulting in the conviction, provided
that a disciplinary proceeding so instituted shall not be brought to final hearing until all direct
appeals from the conviction are concluded.
3. A certified copy of a judgment of conviction of an attorney for any crime shall be
conclusive evidence of the commission of that crime in any disciplinary proceeding instituted
against that attorney based upon the conviction.
(f) Proceedings Upon Notice of Discipline or Resignation in Other Courts
1. Any attorney disciplined by order of the Courts of Connecticut or any other state or
federal Court or any attorney resigning from the bar of the State of Connecticut or any other
state or federal Court while disciplinary proceedings are pending, must deliver a copy of the
disciplinary order (or notice of resignation) to the Clerk of this Court within fourteen (14) days of
the entry of such order. The Court may also receive notice from the courts in which the attorney
has been disciplined or resigned. The attorney must notify the Clerk of the Court regardless of
whether the Clerk has or might receive notice from any other source. Failure to comply with this
notice requirement is, of itself, a ground for discipline.
2. Upon receiving information described in paragraph (f)(1) above, the Clerk shall open a
grievance case as contemplated in subsection (c) above. The presiding judge shall then enter an
Order, to become effective twenty-one (21) days after the date of service on the attorney,
imposing reciprocal discipline on terms and conditions comparable to those set forth by the other
court of record, or, in the case of a resignation, order that the attorney be removed from the rolls
of the Court’s bar. Service shall be deemed complete upon the mailing of the Order, by first class
mail to the address as shown on the rolls of the court.
3. Within twenty-one (21) days of service of the Order described in paragraph (f)(2), the
attorney may file a motion for modification or revocation of the Order. This motion must set forth
with specificity the facts and principles relied on by the attorney to show cause that a different
disposition should be ordered by this court. The timely filing of this motion will stay the
effectiveness of the Order until a further order by this court. Failure to timely file such a motion
shall result in the Order of reciprocal discipline becoming effective and no further action by the
Court, the Grievance Committee, or Counsel for the Grievance Committee shall be necessary.
4. If the attorney’s motion for modification or revocation of the Order requests a hearing,
such a hearing shall be held before the presiding judge. At the hearing, the attorney may be
represented by counsel. The Grievance Committee shall be represented by its assigned
counsel. If an attorney fails to request a hearing on the attorney’s motion, the Court may deem
the hearing waived. Whether requested or not, the presiding judge may, in the judge’s discretion,
convene a hearing.
5. After the hearing, the Court shall require the removal of the attorney from the rolls of the
Court’s bar or shall impose the identical discipline against the attorney unless the Court finds
that, on the face of the record upon which the discipline in another jurisdiction is predicated, it
clearly appears:
a. that the procedure was so lacking in notice or opportunity to be heard as to
constitute a deprivation of due process; or
b. that there was such an infirmity of proof establishing the misconduct as to give
rise to the clear conviction that the Court could not, consistent with its duty,
accept as final the discipline imposed; or
c. that the imposition of the same discipline by the Court would result in grave
injustice; or
d. that the misconduct established is deemed by the Court to warrant substantially
different discipline.
Where the Court determines that any such element exists, it shall enter such other order as it
deems appropriate.
6. Upon good cause shown, the Court may set aside an order issued under Rule 83.2(f)
when it is in the interest of justice to do so.
7. An attorney suspended under the provisions of subparagraph (f)2 shall be reinstated
immediately upon filing (1) an affidavit with the Court demonstrating that the disciplinary action in
the other jurisdiction has been reversed or (2) a certificate of good standing showing the attorney
is a member in good standing in the other jurisdiction.
(g) Proceedings Following Finding of Mental Disability or Incapacity
1. In the event an attorney is by a Court of competent jurisdiction (1) declared to be
incompetent to manage the attorney’s affairs, or (2) committed involuntarily to a mental hospital
for drug dependency, mental illness, or the addictive or excessive use of alcohol, this Court will
open a grievance case as set forth in subsection (c) and the matter shall be referred to the
Grievance Committee.
2. The Court shall issue an order to show cause, requiring the attorney to show cause why
the attorney should not be suspended immediately from practicing law in this Court, and may set
a hearing date. The Court shall arrange for a copy of such order to be forwarded to such
attorney, the attorney’s conservator if any, and the director of any institution in which the attorney
may reside. If, after a hearing is held, or with the consent of the parties by stipulation, the Court
concludes that the attorney is incapacitated from continuing to practice law, it shall enter an
order suspending the attorney on the ground of such disability until further order of the Court.
3. Whenever the Grievance Committee shall have reason to believe that an attorney is
incapacitated from practicing in this Court by reason of mental infirmity or illness or because of
drug dependency or addiction to alcohol, it shall file a presentment in accordance with paragraph
(d)(7) of this Local Rule 83.2. Whenever a Judge of this Court has reason to believe that an
attorney is similarly incapacitated or otherwise impaired, the Judge may refer the matter to the
Grievance Committee for the formulation of such recommendation as may be appropriate,
including the initiation of a presentment or such other orders as it deems appropriate. The
Grievance Committee may take or direct such action as it deems necessary or proper in order to
determine whether such attorney is incapacitated or otherwise impaired, including examination
of the attorney by such qualified medical expert or experts as the Grievance Committee shall
designate. If the Court concludes that the attorney is incapacitated or otherwise impaired from
continuing to practice law, it shall enter an order suspending the attorney on the ground of such
disability until further order of the Court.
In the event there are disciplinary proceedings pending against an attorney who is suspended
under this rule, those proceedings shall be held in abeyance for a long as the suspension under
this rule remains in effect.
(h) Resignation in the District of Connecticut
Any attorney may resign from the bar of this Court by submitting a resignation, in writing,
properly witnessed and acknowledged to be the attorney’s free act and deed, to the Clerk of this
Court, which shall be effective upon filing. However, such resignation shall not affect any
pending disciplinary proceedings pursuant to this Local Rule 83.2, unless the attorney’s
resignation certifies that the attorney waives the privilege of applying for readmission to the bar
at any future time, in which case disciplinary proceedings shall be terminated.
(i) Reinstatement
1. An attorney suspended for a fixed period of time shall be automatically reinstated at the
end of the period of suspension upon filing (1) an affidavit with the Court demonstrating
compliance with the provisions of the suspension order and (2) a certificate of good standing
showing the attorney is now a member in good standing in the Superior Court for the State of
Connecticut or another court.
2. Petitions for reinstatement by a disbarred or suspended attorney whose period of
suspension has not expired shall be filed with the Clerk. Where practicable, such petition shall
be assigned to the Judge to whom the original grievance proceeding was assigned. Otherwise,
it shall be randomly assigned to another Judge of the District. The petition shall automatically be
referred to counsel for the Grievance Committee, who shall give public notice on the District
Court website, allowing thirty (30) days for comment. Counsel shall provide notice to the
complainant that a petition for reinstatement has been filed.
3. After the close of the public comment period, the Grievance Committee may schedule a
hearing for the purpose of determining whether or not the petitioner should be reinstated. The
Grievance Committee shall make a recommendation to the Court, within thirty (30) days of
completing its independent investigation, as to the fitness of the petitioner to be reinstated.
4. Within thirty (30) days of receiving the Committee’s recommendation, the petitioner may
file a reply requesting a hearing. If the petitioner fails to request a hearing within thirty (30) days
of the Committee’s recommendation, the Court may deem the hearing waived.
5. If a hearing is held, the petitioner shall have the burden of demonstrating by clear and
convincing evidence that the petitioner has the moral qualifications, competency and learning in
the law required for admission to practice law before this Court and that the petitioner’s
resumption of the practice of law will not be detrimental to the integrity and standing of the bar or
to the administration of justice, or injurious to the public interest.
6. In all proceedings upon a petition for reinstatement, counsel for the Grievance Committee
may conduct cross-examination of the witnesses of the petitioner attorney and may file
objections to the petition. The petitioning attorney may conduct cross-examination of witnesses
for the Grievance Committee and may file a reply to any objection filed by counsel for the
Grievance Committee.
7. If the petitioner is found unfit to resume the practice of law, the petition shall be denied. If
the petitioner is found fit to resume the practice of law, the judge shall reinstate the petitioner,
provided that the judge may make reinstatement conditional upon (1) the payment of all or part
of the costs of the proceedings, (2) the making of partial or complete restitution to parties
harmed by the conduct of the petitioner which led to the suspension or disbarment, (3) the
furnishing of proof of competency and learning in the law or one or more areas of the law or of
law practice management, (4) the petitioner’s taking and passing the Multistate Professional
Responsibility Examination and/or (5) certification by the bar examiners of a state or other
jurisdiction of the attorney’s successful completion of an examination for admission to practice
subsequent to the date of suspension or disbarment.
8. Absent exceptional circumstances, no petition for reinstatement under this paragraph
shall be filed within one year following an adverse judgement upon a prior petition for
reinstatement filed by or on behalf of the same person.
RULE 83.3
SECURITY FOR COSTS
(Amended December 22, 2017)
(a) Security for Costs
Any time after the commencement of an action, the defendants, or the plaintiffs upon the
filing of a counterclaim, are entitled on request to the Clerk to an order to be entered by the
Clerk, as of course, for a cash deposit or bond with recognized corporate surety in the sum of
$500.00 as security for costs, to be given within thirty days from the entry of such order. Parties
who are jointly represented by the same counsel will be deemed to be one party for the
purposes of this $500 limitation. Additional, substituted, or reduced security, or a justification of
financial responsibility by any surety, may be ordered by the Court at any time during the
pendency of the action for good cause found by the Court. Noncompliance with an order
entered hereunder may be grounds for summary dismissal or default upon application by a party
and notice to the non-complying party.
(b) Modification and Waiver
Upon good cause shown, the Court may modify or waive the requirements of this Rule.
RULE 83.4
OPENING STATEMENTS
Unless the presiding Judge directs otherwise, counsel in civil jury trials shall be permitted to
make opening statements subject to limitations imposed by the Judge.
RULE 83.5
SECRECY OF JURY DELIBERATIONS AND GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS
(Amended December 22, 2017)
1. Trial Jurors
(a) No person, other than the Court or Court personnel, shall contact or communicate with,
directly or indirectly, a juror, potential juror or excused juror, or any relative, friend or associate of
any such juror, during jury selection or trial, concerning the subject matter of the trial or the
juror’s participation in the trial, except with the permission of and under the supervision of the
Court.
(b) Jurors have no obligation to speak to any person about any case and may refuse all
interviews or requests to discuss the case. Jurors may only speak or write about their own
participation in the trial. Jurors may not discuss the deliberations of the jury, votes of the jury, or
the actions or comments of any other juror. However, jurors shall report to the Court any
extraneous prejudicial information improperly brought to the jury’s attention, any outside
influence improperly brought to bear upon any juror, or whether the verdict reported was the
result of a clerical mistake.
(c) Unless explicitly authorized by the Court, no party, and no attorney or person acting on
behalf of a party or attorney, shall question a juror concerning the deliberations of the jury, votes
of the jury or the actions or comments of any other juror.
(d) No person may contact, communicate with or interview any juror in any manner which
subjects the juror to harassment, misrepresentation, duress or coercion.
2. Juror Information
The Clerk shall make available to counsel and self-represented parties participating in jury
selection the responses to juror questionnaires of those prospective jurors participating in jury
selection. Upon request of counsel or a self-represented party, the Court may order the Clerk to
make available to counsel and a self-represented party participating in jury selection the list of
potential jurors summoned for the case. Other individuals may request such information in
accordance with the District’s Jury Plan.
3. Grand Jurors
No person, other than those authorized under Fed.R.Crim.P. 6 or Court personnel, shall
contact or communicate with, directly or indirectly, a grand juror, potential grand juror, or
excused grand juror at any time concerning the subject matter of the grand jury proceedings or
the juror’s participation in the grand jury proceedings. Grand jurors shall also comply with Fed.
R. Crim P. 6.
4. Violations
A violation of this rule may be treated as a contempt of Court. The Court shall have
continuing supervision over communications with jurors, even after a trial has been completed.
RULE 83.6
REMOVAL OF PAPERS AND EXHIBITS
(Amended December 22, 2017)
(a) Withdrawal of Pleadings, Papers and Exhibits
After being filed in Court, pleadings or other papers may be withdrawn only upon order of the
Court. Exhibits received in evidence may be withdrawn by stipulation of the parties or by order
of the Court.
(b) Pre-marked Exhibits and Exhibit Lists
Prior to the commencement of trial, the parties shall pre-mark all exhibits to be offered at
hearing or trial. The parties shall prepare and submit to the courtroom deputy and the Judge a
list of their exhibits, as pre-marked.
(c) Custody of Exhibits After Trial
Except in proceedings before a special master, and unless the Court otherwise directs,
exhibits shall not be filed with the clerk, but shall be retained in the custody of the parties who
produce them in court. The parties shall retain these exhibits until final determination of the
action, including the date when the mandate of the final reviewing court has been filed or until
the time for appeal has expired.
(d) Disposition of Exhibits in the Custody of the Clerk
The offering party shall make arrangements for the return of those exhibits remaining with
the Clerk within ninety days after final determination of the action. Exhibits not claimed may be
destroyed by the Clerk, without notice.
RULE 83.7
TRANSFER OF CASES TO ANOTHER DISTRICT
OR UPON REMAND TO A STATE COURT
(Amended December 22, 2017)
In a case ordered transferred to another District Court or remanded to the appropriate State
Court, the clerk will, unless otherwise ordered; transmit, on the eleventh day following the order
of transfer or remand, to the Court to which the case is transferred or remanded: (1) the Court's
opinion directing such action, and its order thereon, and the docket entries, and (2) all pleadings
and other papers on file in the case, provided that no timely motion for reconsideration of the
order of transfer or remand has been filed pursuant to Local Civil Rule 7(c). Where a timely
motion for reconsideration has been filed, the Clerk will delay transmitting the file until the Court
has ruled on the motion for reconsideration and will thereafter take such action as is consistent
with the ruling on the motion for reconsideration.
