(a)Good moral character shall be construed to include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1)The qualities of honesty, fairness, candor and trustworthiness;
(2)Observance of fiduciary responsibility;
(3)Respect for and obedience to the law; and
(4)Respect for the legal rights of others and the judicial process, as evidenced by conduct other than merely initiating or pursuing litigation.
(b)Fitness to practice law shall be construed to include the following:
(1)The cognitive capacity to undertake fundamental lawyering skills such as problem solving, legal analysis and reasoning, legal research, factual investigation, organization and management of legal work, making appropriate reasoned legal judgments, and recognizing and solving ethical dilemmas;
(2)The ability to communicate legal judgments and legal information to clients, other attorneys, judicial and regulatory authorities, with or without the use of aids or devices; and
(3)The capability to perform legal tasks in a timely manner.
Amendment History
(Adopted June 21, 2010, to take effect Jan. 1, 2011; amended June 20, 2011, to take effect Sept. 1, 2011.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 2-5A breaks the character-and-fitness standard into two parts. Good moral character includes honesty, fairness, candor, and trustworthiness; observing fiduciary duties; respecting and obeying the law; and respecting the legal rights of others and the judicial process — shown through conduct beyond merely filing or defending lawsuits.
Fitness to practice law covers three abilities: the cognitive capacity to handle core lawyering tasks like problem solving, legal analysis, research, factual investigation, organizing legal work, and recognizing ethical dilemmas; the ability to communicate legal judgments and information to clients, other attorneys, and courts or regulators, with or without assistive aids or devices; and the capability to complete legal tasks on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as good moral character under Connecticut’s rule?
Honesty, fairness, candor, and trustworthiness; observing fiduciary responsibility; respecting and obeying the law; and respecting the legal rights of others and the judicial process.
What does fitness to practice law mean?
It means having the cognitive capacity for core lawyering skills, the ability to communicate legal information to clients and courts, and the capability to complete legal work on time.
Does using an aid or device affect a fitness determination?
No. The rule specifies that the ability to communicate legal judgments and information counts whether or not the applicant uses aids or devices.
Is filing a lawsuit itself evidence of poor character?
No. The rule says respect for the legal rights of others and the judicial process is shown by conduct other than merely initiating or pursuing litigation.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 2-5A). 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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