Sec. 2-16 (Appearing Pro Hac Vice) of the Connecticut Rules of Superior Court Regulating Admission to the Bar provides the rule regarding admission for attorneys licensed in other jurisdictions who are seeking pro hac vice admission.
Eligibility
Attorneys must be in good standing with the bar of another state, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
The pro hac vice admission may occur upon special and infrequent occasion and for good cause shown. It is the court’s discretion whether to allow the attorney to practice pro hac vice and whether to prescribe the extent of the practice.
Good cause is limited to facts or circumstances affecting the personal or financial welfare of the client, not the attorney. These facts may include a showing that by reason of a long-standing attorney-client relationship that predates the cause of action or subject matter of the litigation, the attorney has acquired a specialized skill or knowledge with respect to the client’s affairs that are important to the trial of the cause. The facts may
also show that the litigant is unable to secure the services of Connecticut counsel.
Practice
Attorneys must associate with a member of the Connecticut Bar. The Connecticut lawyer is required to be present at all proceedings and must sign all pleadings, briefs, and other papers filed with the court. The Connecticut lawyer also assumes full responsibility for those documents, for the conduct of the cause, and for the out-of-state attorney.
Application
Attorneys are required to submit a written application that is presented by the member of the Connecticut Bar. Where feasible, the applications should be made to the judge before whom the cause is likely to be tried. If not feasible, the application should be made to the administrative judge in the judicial district where the matter is to be tried.
The application includes an attorney affidavit that:
- Certifies whether the applicant has a grievance pending against him or her in any other jurisdiction, has ever been reprimanded, suspended, placed on inactive status, disbarred, or otherwise disciplined, or has ever resigned from the practice of law. If so, the attorney must set forth the circumstances for such action.
- Designates the chief clerk of the superior court for the judicial district where the attorney will be appearing as his or her agent upon whom process and service of notices may be served.
- Agrees to register with the statewide grievance committee in accordance with the applicable provisions while appearing in the matter in Connecticut and for two years after the matter. The attorney will notify the statewide grievance committee of the expiration of the two-year period.
- Identifies the number of cases where the attorney has appeared pro hac vice in the superior court of Connecticut since the attorney first appeared pro hac vice in Connecticut.
If the application is granted, the Clerk of the Court will immediately notify the state grievance committee of the pro hac vice admission.