(a) A client security fund is hereby established to promote public confidence in the judicial system and the integrity of the legal profession by reimbursing clients, to the extent provided for by these rules, for losses resulting from the dishonest conduct of attorneys practicing law in this state in the course of the attorney-client relationship, by providing crisis intervention and referral assistance to attorneys admitted to the practice of law in this state who suffer from alcohol or other substance abuse problems or gambling problems, or who have behavioral health problems, and by making grants-in-aid to the organization administering the program for the use of interest earned on lawyers’ clients’ funds accounts pursuant to General Statute § 51-81c, for the purpose of funding the delivery of legal services to the poor.
Section 2-68.Client Security Fund Established
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceEstablishes Connecticut's client security fund, a trust that reimburses clients for losses caused by dishonest attorney conduct, funds crisis help for impaired attorneys, and supports legal services for the poor, all as a matter of grace, not entitlement.
Full Text of Section 2-68
(b) It is the obligation of all attorneys admitted to the practice of law in this state to participate in the collective effort to reimburse clients who have lost money or property as the result of the unethical and dishonest conduct of other attorneys, to provide crisis intervention and referral assistance to attorneys admitted to the practice of law in this state who suffer from alcohol or other substance abuse problems or gambling problems, or who have behavioral health problems, and to fund the delivery of legal services to the poor.
(c) The client security fund is provided as a public service to persons using the legal services of attorneys practicing in this state and as a means of providing crisis intervention and referral assistance to impaired attorneys, and grants-in-aid for the purpose of funding the delivery of legal services to the poor. All moneys and assets of the fund shall constitute a trust.
(d) The establishment, administration and operation of the fund shall not impose or create any obligation, expectation of recovery from or liability of the fund to any claimant, attorney or organization, and all reimbursements therefrom shall be a matter of grace and not of right.
Amendment History
(Adopted June 29, 1998, to take effect Jan. 1, 1999; amended May 3, 2005, to take effect May 17, 2005; amended June 23, 2017, to take effect Jan. 1, 2018.)
Plain-English Summary
This rule creates the client security fund. Its purpose is to promote public confidence in the judicial system and the integrity of the legal profession. It does this three ways: by reimbursing clients for losses caused by an attorney’s dishonest conduct in the course of the attorney-client relationship, by providing crisis intervention and referral assistance to attorneys struggling with alcohol or other substance abuse, gambling, or behavioral health problems, and by making grants-in-aid to the organization that uses interest earned on lawyers’ clients’ funds accounts to fund legal services for the poor.
Every attorney admitted to practice in Connecticut shares the obligation to support this collective effort — reimbursing clients harmed by other attorneys’ misconduct, helping impaired colleagues get assistance, and funding legal aid for people who cannot afford it.
All money and assets in the fund form a trust. But the rule is clear that setting up and running the fund creates no obligation or guaranteed right to recovery for any claimant, attorney, or organization. Any reimbursement from the fund is a matter of grace, not something a claimant is entitled to demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Connecticut client security fund?
It is a trust fund established to reimburse clients for losses caused by the dishonest conduct of attorneys, to provide crisis intervention and referral assistance to attorneys with substance abuse, gambling, or behavioral health problems, and to fund grants-in-aid for legal services to the poor.
Is every Connecticut attorney required to support the fund?
Yes. The rule states it is the obligation of all attorneys admitted to practice in the state to participate in this collective effort.
Does a client have a guaranteed right to be paid from the fund?
No. The rule specifically states that reimbursement is a matter of grace, not of right, and that the fund creates no obligation or expectation of recovery for any claimant.
Does the fund do anything besides reimburse clients?
Yes. It also provides crisis intervention and referral assistance to attorneys with substance abuse or behavioral health problems and makes grants-in-aid toward funding legal services for the poor.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 2-68). 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: Client Security Fund Connecticutwhat is the client security fundreimbursement for dishonest attorneyattorney impairment assistance fundlegal services for the poor funding