(a) If a grievance panel, a reviewing committee, the Statewide Grievance Committee or the disciplinary counsel believes that a lawyer poses a substantial threat of irreparable harm to his or her clients or to prospective clients, the disciplinary counsel shall apply to the court for an order of interim suspension. The disciplinary counsel shall provide the lawyer with notice that an application for interim suspension has been filed and that a hearing will be held on such application.
Section 2-42.Conduct Constituting Threat of Harm to Clients
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule lets disciplinary counsel ask a court to immediately suspend a lawyer, before any disciplinary case is finished, when the lawyer poses a substantial threat of irreparable harm to clients.
Full Text of Section 2-42
(b) The court, after hearing, pending final disposition of the disciplinary proceeding, may, if it finds that the lawyer poses a substantial threat of irreparable harm to his or her clients or to prospective clients, enter an order of interim suspension, or may order such other interim action as deemed appropriate. Thereafter, upon good cause shown, the court may, in the interest of justice, set aside or modify the interim suspension or other order entered pursuant hereto. Whenever the court enters an interim suspension order pursuant hereto, the court may appoint a trustee, pursuant to Section 2-64, to protect the clients’ and the suspended attorney’s interests.
(c) No entry fee shall be required for proceedings hereunder. Any hearings necessitated by the proceedings may, in the discretion of the court, be held in chambers.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 28C.) (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 26, 2006, to take effect Jan. 1, 2007; amended June 11, 2021, to take effect Jan. 1, 2022.)
Plain-English Summary
If a grievance panel, a reviewing committee, the Statewide Grievance Committee, or the disciplinary counsel believes a lawyer poses a substantial threat of irreparable harm to current or prospective clients, disciplinary counsel must apply to the court for an interim suspension. The lawyer gets notice that the application has been filed and that a hearing will follow.
After that hearing, and while the underlying disciplinary case is still pending, the court may enter an interim suspension — or order whatever other interim action it thinks fits — if it agrees the threat exists. For good cause shown later, the court can set aside or modify that order in the interest of justice. When the court does suspend a lawyer this way, it may also appoint a trustee to protect both the clients and the suspended attorney's interests. No filing fee is required, and the court may hold any hearing in chambers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can trigger an interim suspension for threat of harm to clients?
A grievance panel, a reviewing committee, the Statewide Grievance Committee, or the disciplinary counsel can raise the concern, but it is the disciplinary counsel who applies to the court for the interim suspension.
Does the lawyer get a hearing before being suspended under this rule?
Yes. The disciplinary counsel must give the lawyer notice that an application for interim suspension has been filed, and the court holds a hearing before deciding whether to enter the order.
Can an interim suspension be lifted later?
Yes. Upon good cause shown, and in the interest of justice, the court may set aside or modify the interim suspension or any other interim order it entered.
Is this the same as final discipline?
No. An interim suspension under Section 2-42 is a temporary measure pending final disposition of the disciplinary proceeding, not the final outcome of the case.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 2-42). 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: emergency suspension Connecticut attorneylawyer threat of harm to clientsinterim suspension pending disciplinetrustee appointed for suspended attorneyurgent attorney suspension