Connecticut Practice Book §2-17. Foreign Legal Consultants--Licensing Requirements
Upon recommendation of the bar examining committee, the court may license to practice as a foreign legal consultant, without examination, an applicant who:
(1) has been admitted to practice (or has obtained the equivalent of admission) in a foreign country, and has engaged in the practice of law in that country, and has been in good standing as an attorney or counselor at law (or the equivalent of either) in that country, for a period of not less than five of the seven years immediately preceding the date of application;
(2) possesses the good moral character and general fitness requisite for a member of the bar of this court; and
(3) is at least twenty-six years of age.
Connecticut Practice Book §2-18. Foreign Legal Consultants--Filings to Become Foreign Legal Consultant
(a) An applicant for a license to practice as a foreign legal consultant shall file with the administrative director of the bar examining committee:
(1) a typewritten application in the form prescribed by the committee;
(2) a certified check, cashier's check, or money order in the amount of $500 made payable to the bar examining committee;
(3) a certificate from the authority in the foreign country having final jurisdiction over professional discipline, certifying to the applicant's admission to practice (or the equivalent of such admission) and the date thereof and to the applicant's good standing as an attorney or counselor at law (or the equivalent of either), together with a duly authenticated English translation of such certificate if it is not in English; and
(4) two letters of recommendation, one from a member in good standing of the Connecticut bar and another from either a member in good standing of the bar of the country in which the applicant is licensed as an attorney, or from a judge of one of the courts of original jurisdiction of said country, together with a duly authenticated English translation of each letter if it is not in English.
(b) Upon a showing that strict compliance with the provisions of Section 2-17(1) and subdivisions (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of this section is impossible or very difficult for reasons beyond the control of the applicant, or upon a showing of exceptional professional qualifications to practice as a foreign legal consultant, the court may, in its discretion, waive or vary the application of such provisions and permit the applicant to make such other showing as may be satisfactory to the court.
(c) The committee shall investigate the qualifications, moral character, and general fitness of any applicant for a license to practice as a foreign legal consultant and may in any case require the applicant to submit any additional proof or information as the committee may deem appropriate. The committee may also require the applicant to submit a report from the National Conference of Bar Examiners, and to pay the prescribed fee therefor, with respect to the applicant's character and fitness.
Connecticut Practice Book §2-19. Foreign Legal Consultants--Scope of Practice of Foreign Legal Consultants
A person licensed to practice as a foreign legal consultant under these rules is limited to advising Connecticut clients only on the law of the foreign country in which such person is admitted to practice law. Such person shall not:
(1) in any way hold himself or herself out as a member of the bar of the state of Connecticut; or
(2) use in this state any title other than 'Foreign Legal Consultant,' but in conjunction therewith may indicate the foreign country in which he or she is licensed to practice law.
§ 2-20. Foreign Legal Consultants--Disciplinary Provisions regarding Foreign Legal Consultants
Current with amendments received through 10-1-2000
(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 at 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, 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.
[Amended June 29, 1998, effective September 1, 1998.]
Connecticut Practice Book §2-21. Foreign Legal Consultants--Affiliation of Foreign Legal Consultant with the Bar of the State of Connecticut
(a) A foreign legal consultant licensed under these rules shall not be a member of the Connecticut bar, provided, however, that a foreign legal consultant shall be considered an affiliate of the bar subject to the same conditions and requirements as are applicable to an active or inactive member of the bar under the court's rules governing the bar of the state of Connecticut, insofar as such conditions and requirements may be consistent with the provisions of these rules.
(b) A foreign legal consultant licensed under these rules shall, upon being so licensed, take the following oath before this court, unless granted permission to take the oath in absentia:
'I, ____________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that as a foreign legal consultant with respect to the laws of ____________________, licensed by this court, I will conduct myself uprightly and according to the laws of the State of Connecticut and the rules of the court.'