Section 2-47A.Disbarment of Attorney for Misappropriation of Funds

Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026

In one sentenceThis rule requires disbarment for a minimum of twelve years whenever a Superior Court judge finds that a lawyer knowingly misappropriated a client's funds or other trust property.

Full Text of Section 2-47A

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In any disciplinary proceeding where there has been a finding by a judge of the Superior Court that a lawyer has knowingly misappropriated a client’s funds or other property held in trust, the discipline for such conduct shall be disbarment for a minimum of twelve years.

Amendment History

(Adopted June 26, 2006, to take effect Jan. 1, 2007; amended June 13, 2014, to take effect Jan. 1, 2015.)

Plain-English Summary

Section 2-47A sets a mandatory minimum penalty for a specific form of misconduct. If, in any disciplinary proceeding, a Superior Court judge finds that a lawyer knowingly misappropriated a client’s funds or other property held in trust, the discipline for that conduct must be disbarment for a minimum of twelve years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a lawyer is found to have stolen client funds in Connecticut?

If a Superior Court judge finds the lawyer knowingly misappropriated a client’s funds or other trust property, the required discipline is disbarment for a minimum of twelve years.

Does this rule apply to any mishandling of client funds?

The rule applies specifically to a finding that the lawyer knowingly misappropriated the funds or property, as opposed to other kinds of trust-account violations.

Can the twelve-year disbarment period be shortened?

The text sets twelve years as a minimum, meaning the disbarment must be at least that long.

Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 2-47A). 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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