Grievance counsel shall have the following powers and duties:
Section 2-31.Powers and Duties of Grievance Counsel
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceLists the specific duties grievance counsel perform, including helping complainants understand the process, investigating complaints, assisting panels and reviewing committees, and explaining dismissals.
Full Text of Section 2-31
(1) Upon referral of the complaint to the grievance panel, to confer with and, if possible, meet with the complainants and assist them in understanding the grievance process set forth in these rules and to answer questions complainants may have concerning that process.
(2) To investigate all complaints received by the grievance panel from the statewide bar counsel involving alleged misconduct of an attorney subject to the jurisdiction of the Superior Court.
(3) To assist the grievance panels in carrying out their duties under this chapter.
(4) When determined to be necessary by the Statewide Grievance Committee, to assist reviewing committees of the Statewide Grievance Committee in conducting hearings before said reviewing committees.
(5) If the grievance panel has dismissed the complaint, to assist the complainant in understanding the reasons for the dismissal.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 27E.) (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.)
Plain-English Summary
This section lays out what grievance counsel do once a complaint is referred to a grievance panel. Counsel confers with complainants when possible, explaining the grievance process and answering their questions. Counsel investigates the complaints the panel receives from the statewide bar counsel that allege attorney misconduct within the Superior Court’s jurisdiction, and generally assists the panel in carrying out its duties.
When the Statewide Grievance Committee decides it’s necessary, grievance counsel also assist reviewing committees in conducting hearings. And if a panel dismisses a complaint, grievance counsel help the complainant understand why.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does grievance counsel do after a complaint reaches a panel?
Grievance counsel confers with the complainant about the process, investigates the complaint, and assists the panel in carrying out its duties under the grievance rules.
Does grievance counsel explain why a complaint was dismissed?
Yes. If the grievance panel dismisses a complaint, grievance counsel helps the complainant understand the reasons for the dismissal.
Do grievance counsel help with reviewing committee hearings?
They do when the Statewide Grievance Committee determines it’s necessary for them to assist a reviewing committee in conducting a hearing.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 2-31). 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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