(a) The judges of the Superior Court shall appoint twenty-one persons to a committee to be known as the ‘‘Statewide Grievance Committee.’’ At least seven shall not be attorneys and the remainder shall be members of the bar of this state. The judges shall designate one member as chair and another as vice-chair to act in the absence or disability of the chair.
Section 2-33.Statewide Grievance Committee
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule creates the Statewide Grievance Committee, a twenty-one member body of judges' appointees that oversees attorney discipline in Connecticut, sets its terms and voting rules, and lists its core powers.
Full Text of Section 2-33
(b) All members shall serve for a term of three years commencing on July 1. Except as otherwise provided herein, no person shall serve as a member for more than two consecutive three year terms, excluding any appointments for less than a full term; a member may be reappointed after a lapse of one year. If the term of a member who is on a reviewing committee expires while a complaint is pending before that committee, the judges or the executive committee may extend the term of such member to such time as the reviewing committee has completed its action on that complaint. In the event of such an extension the total number of Statewide Grievance Committee members may exceed twenty-one. The appointment of any member may be revoked or suspended by the judges or by the executive committee of the Superior Court. In connection with such revocation or suspension, the judges or the executive committee shall appoint a qualified individual to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term or for any other appropriate period. In the event that a vacancy arises in this position before the end of a term by reasons other than revocation or suspension, the executive committee of the Superior Court shall fill the vacancy for the balance of the term or for any other appropriate period. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the committee must have at least a quorum present to act, and a quorum shall be eleven. The committee shall act by a vote of a majority of those present and voting, provided that a minimum of six votes for a particular action is necessary for the committee to act. Members present but not voting due to disqualification, abstention, silence or a refusal to vote, shall be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum, but not counted in calculating a majority of those present and voting.
(c) In addition to any other powers and duties set forth in this chapter, the Statewide Grievance Committee shall:
(1) Institute complaints involving violations of General Statutes § 51-88.
(2) Adopt rules to carry out its duties under this chapter which are not inconsistent with these rules.
(3) Adopt rules for grievance panels to carry out their duties under this chapter which are not inconsistent with these rules.
(4) In its discretion, disclose that it or the statewide bar counsel has referred a complaint to a panel for investigation when such disclosure is deemed by the committee to be in the public interest.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 27G.)
Plain-English Summary
This rule establishes the Statewide Grievance Committee. The judges of the Superior Court appoint twenty-one members, at least seven of whom are not attorneys, and the rest are members of the Connecticut bar. The judges name one member as chair and another as vice-chair, who fills in when the chair is absent or unable to serve.
Members serve three-year terms starting July 1, and generally cannot serve more than two consecutive full terms without a one-year gap before reappointment. If a member sitting on a reviewing committee reaches the end of a term while a complaint is still pending, the judges or the executive committee can extend that member's term until the reviewing committee finishes its work on that complaint. The judges or the executive committee may revoke or suspend a member's appointment and fill any resulting vacancy. The committee needs a quorum of eleven to act, and any action requires at least six votes in favor, even though a bare majority of those present and voting would otherwise suffice.
Beyond adjudicating grievance complaints, the committee can initiate its own complaints for violations of General Statutes § 51-88 (the law against practicing without a license), adopt rules to carry out its duties, adopt rules for grievance panels, and decide, in its discretion, whether to disclose that a complaint has been referred to a panel for investigation when doing so serves the public interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people serve on the Statewide Grievance Committee?
The committee has twenty-one members appointed by the judges of the Superior Court, and at least seven of them must be non-attorneys.
How long do committee members serve?
Members serve three-year terms starting July 1 and generally cannot serve more than two consecutive full terms without a one-year break before they can be reappointed.
How many votes does the committee need to take action?
The committee needs a quorum of eleven members present, and any action requires at least six votes in favor, in addition to a majority of those present and voting.
Can the committee investigate unauthorized practice of law?
Yes. The rule authorizes the committee to institute complaints involving violations of General Statutes § 51-88, the statute governing the unauthorized practice of law.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 2-33). 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
Also known as: Statewide Grievance Committee Connecticutwho serves on Connecticut attorney discipline committeeCT grievance committee membershipConnecticut bar discipline boardgrievance committee quorum voting rules