Rule 2-20. Disciplinary Provisions regarding Foreign Legal Consultants

(a) Every person licensed to practice as a foreign legal consultant under these rules:

(1) shall be subject to the Connecticut Rules of Professional Conduct and to the rules of practice regulating the conduct of attorneys in this state to the extent applicable to the legal services authorized under these rules, and shall be subject to reprimand, suspension, or revocation of license to practice as a foreign legal consultant by the court;

(2) shall execute and file with the clerk, in such form and manner as the court may prescribe:

(A) a written commitment to observe the Connecticut Rules of Professional Conduct and other rules regulating the conduct of attorneys as referred to in subsection (a) (1) of this section,

(B) an undertaking or appropriate evidence of professional liability insurance, in such amount as the court may prescribe, to assure the foreign legal consultant's proper professional conduct and responsibility,

(C) a duly acknowledged instrument in writing setting forth the foreign legal consultant's address in the state of Connecticut or United States, and designating the clerk of the Superior Court for the judicial district of Hartford as his or her agent upon whom process may be served. Such service shall have the same effect as if made personally upon the foreign legal consultant, in any action or proceeding thereafter brought against the foreign legal consultant and arising out of or based upon any legal services rendered or offered to be rendered by the foreign legal consultant within or to residents of the state of Connecticut, and

(3) a written commitment to notify the clerk of the foreign legal consultant's resignation from practice in the foreign country of his or her admission or in any other state or jurisdiction in which said person has been admitted to practice law, or of any censure, reprimand, suspension, revocation or other disciplinary action relating to his or her right to practice in such country, state or jurisdiction.

(b) Service of process on the clerk pursuant to the designation filed as aforesaid shall be made by personally delivering to and leaving with the clerk, or with a deputy or assistant authorized by the clerk to receive service, at the clerk's office, duplicate copies of such process together with a fee of $20. Service of process shall be complete when the clerk has been so served. The clerk shall promptly send one of the copies to the foreign legal consultant to whom the process is directed, by certified mail, return receipt requested or with electronic delivery confirmation, addressed to the foreign legal consultant at the address given to the court by the foreign legal consultant as aforesaid.

(c) In imposing any sanction authorized by subsection (a) (1), the court may act sua sponte or on the recommendation of the Statewide Grievance Committee. To the extent feasible, the court shall proceed in a manner consistent with the rules of practice governing discipline of the bar of the state of Connecticut.

Committee Notes

(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 24E.) (Amended June 29, 1998, to take effect Sept. 1, 1998; amended June 14, 2013, to take effect Jan. 1, 2014.)