An attorney who is in good standing at the bar of another state, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, may, upon special and infrequent occasion and for good cause shown upon written application on one of the following forms prescribed by the chief court administrator, form JD-CL-141, Application for Permission for Attorney to Appear Pro Hac Vice in a Court Case, or, form JD-CL-142, Application for Permission for Attorney to Appear Pro Hac Vice before a Municipal or State Agency, Commission, Board or Tribunal, presented by a member of the bar of this state, be permitted in the discretion of the court to participate to such extent as the court may prescribe in the presentation of a cause or appeal in any state court or a proceeding before any municipal or state agency, commission, board or tribunal (hereinafter referred to as ‘‘proceeding’’) in this state; provided, however, that (1) such application shall be accompanied by the affidavit of the applicant, on form JD-CL-143, Affidavit of Attorney Seeking Permission to Appear Pro Hac Vice, (A) providing the full legal name of the applicant with contact information, including firm name, business mailing address, telephone number and email address, as applicable, (B) certifying whether such 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 and, if so, setting forth the circumstances concerning such action, (C) certifying that the applicant has paid the client security fund fee due for the calendar year in which the application has been made, (D) designating the chief clerk of the Superior Court for the judicial district in which the attorney will be appearing as his or her agent upon whom process and service of notice may be served, (E) agreeing to register with the Statewide Grievance Committee in accordance with the provisions of this chapter while appearing in the matter in this state and for two years after the completion of the matter in which the attorney appeared, and to notify the Statewide Grievance Committee of the expiration of the two year period, (F) identifying the number of times the attorney has appeared pro hac vice in the Superior Court or in any other proceedings of this state since the attorney first appeared pro hac vice in this state, listing each such case or proceeding by name and docket number, as applicable, and (G) providing any previously assigned juris number, (2) the filing fee shall be paid with the court for the application submitted pursuant to General Statutes § 52-259 (i) unless Section 62-8A (a) applies and (3) unless excused by the judicial authority, a member of the bar of this state must be present at all proceedings, including depositions in a proceeding, and must sign all pleadings, briefs and other papers filed with the court, local or state administrative agency, commission, board or tribunal, and assume full responsibility for them and for the conduct of the cause or proceeding and of the attorney to whom such privilege is accorded. Where feasible, the application shall be made to the judge before whom such case is likely to be tried. If not feasible, or if no case is pending before the Superior Court, the application shall be made to the administrative judge in the judicial district where the matter is to be tried or the proceeding is to be conducted. Good cause for according such privilege shall be limited to facts or circumstances affecting the personal or financial welfare of the client and not the attorney. Such facts may include a showing that by reason of a longstanding attorney-client relationship predating the cause of action or subject matter of the litigation at bar, or proceeding, the attorney has acquired a specialized skill or knowledge with respect to the client’s affairs important to the trial of the cause or presentation of the proceeding, or that the litigant is unable to secure the services of Connecticut counsel. Upon the granting of an application to appear pro hac vice, the clerk of the court in which the application is granted shall immediately notify the Superior Court Operations designee of such action. Any person granted permission to appear in a cause, appeal or proceeding pursuant to this section shall comply with the requirements of Sections 2-68 and 2-70 and General Statutes § 51-81b and shall pay such fee and tax when due as prescribed by those sections for each year such person appears in the matter. If the clerk for the judicial district or appellate court in which the matter is pending is notified that such person has failed to pay the fee as required by Sections 2-68 and 2-70, the court shall determine after a hearing the appropriate sanction, which may include termination of the privilege of appearing in the cause, appeal or proceeding.
Section 2-16.—Attorney Appearing Pro Hac Vice
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceAllows an out-of-state attorney to appear in a single Connecticut court case or administrative proceeding on a special, infrequent basis, with a Connecticut lawyer sponsoring the application and remaining responsible for the case.
Full Text of Section 2-16
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 24.) (Amended June 24, 2002, to take effect July 1, 2003; May 14, 2003, effective date changed to Oct. 1, 2003; Sept. 30, 2003, effective date changed to Jan. 1, 2004; amended June 29, 2007, to take effect Jan. 1, 2008; amended June 20, 2011, to take effect Jan. 1, 2012; amended June 24, 2016, to take effect Jan. 1, 2017; amended June 10, 2022, to take effect Jan. 1, 2023.)
Plain-English Summary
This rule lets an attorney in good standing in another state, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico appear in a specific Connecticut case, on special and infrequent occasion and for good cause. The out-of-state attorney must apply in writing, using a form prescribed by the chief court administrator, and a member of the Connecticut bar must present the application. Depending on the forum, the application uses form JD-CL-141 for a court case or form JD-CL-142 for a proceeding before a municipal or state agency, commission, board, or tribunal.
The application must come with an affidavit (form JD-CL-143) giving the applicant's contact information, disclosing any pending grievance or past discipline or resignation, confirming payment of the client security fund fee, naming the local court clerk as agent for service, agreeing to register with the Statewide Grievance Committee during the case and for two years after it ends, and listing every other time the attorney has appeared pro hac vice in Connecticut. The applicant must also pay the required filing fee.
Unless the judicial authority excuses it, a Connecticut-licensed attorney must be present at all proceedings, including depositions, must sign every pleading and paper filed, and takes full responsibility for the case and for the visiting attorney's conduct. The application generally goes to the judge likely to try the case, or to the administrative judge of the relevant judicial district if no such judge is identified yet. Good cause for granting the privilege must relate to the client's personal or financial welfare — for example, a longstanding attorney-client relationship that gave the attorney specialized knowledge of the client's affairs, or the client's inability to find Connecticut counsel — not to the visiting attorney's own interests. Anyone granted pro hac vice status must keep paying the required annual fees while the case continues, and the court can sanction — including revoking the privilege — an attorney who fails to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pro hac vice admission in Connecticut?
It is permission for an out-of-state attorney in good standing elsewhere to appear in one specific Connecticut court case or agency proceeding, granted at the court’s discretion on special and infrequent occasions for good cause.
Does a pro hac vice attorney need a local Connecticut lawyer?
Yes. A Connecticut bar member must present the application, and unless excused, must be present at all proceedings, sign all filed papers, and take full responsibility for the case.
What counts as good cause for a pro hac vice application?
Good cause must concern the client’s personal or financial welfare — such as a longstanding attorney-client relationship giving the attorney specialized knowledge of the client’s affairs, or the client’s inability to find Connecticut counsel — not the attorney’s own interests.
What forms are required for a pro hac vice application in Connecticut?
Form JD-CL-141 for a court case or JD-CL-142 for an agency, commission, board, or tribunal proceeding, accompanied by the affidavit on form JD-CL-143.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 2-16). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
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