(a) Whenever the appearance of a firm or professional corporation (hereinafter collectively referred to as ‘‘unit’’) has been entered upon the record of the court and there is a change in the name, composition or membership of such unit, it shall be the duty of such unit forthwith to notify, in writing, the director of court operations of the Judicial Branch, giving the name, mailing address and telephone number of the successor firm, professional corporation or individual who will continue the major portion of such unit’s business. In court locations having access to the automated roll of attorneys, upon receipt of such notice the appearance of such successor will be automatically entered in lieu of the appearance of the former unit in all pending cases. In other court locations, unless such successor unit files a notice to the clerks pursuant to Section 2-26 or withdraws its appearance under the provisions of Section 3-10, the former unit’s original appearance shall remain on file in each case in which it had been entered and the clerk may rely on the information contained therein for the purpose of giving notice to such unit regarding court activities involving the cases in which the unit remains active.
Section 3-12.Change in Name, Composition or Membership of a Firm or Professional Corporation
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceWhen a law firm or professional corporation with an appearance on file changes its name, membership, or makeup, it must promptly notify the Judicial Branch in writing, and a new attorney taking over must file a proper appearance.
Full Text of Section 3-12
(b) In each case where such successor will no longer represent the party or parties for whom the original unit had entered an appearance, it is the duty of the new attorney who will represent such party or parties to enter an appearance, and it is the duty of the successor firm, professional corporation or individual to withdraw such unit’s appearance under the provisions of Section 3-10.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 78.)
Plain-English Summary
Once a firm or professional corporation (the rule calls this a “unit”) has an appearance on the court record, and the unit's name, composition, or membership changes, the unit must promptly notify the director of court operations in writing. That notice has to include the successor firm's, corporation's, or individual's name, mailing address, and telephone number. In court locations with an automated roll of attorneys, the successor's appearance is then entered automatically in place of the former unit's in every pending case. In other court locations, the former unit's original appearance stays on file unless the successor files a notice under Section 2-26 or withdraws under Section 3-10, and the clerk can keep relying on that original appearance to give notice about the case.
If the successor unit will no longer represent a party the original unit represented, two things have to happen: the new attorney who will represent that party must file an appearance, and the successor unit must withdraw its own appearance under Section 3-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What has to happen when a law firm changes its name or membership?
The firm or professional corporation must promptly notify the director of court operations in writing, giving the successor entity’s name, mailing address, and telephone number.
Does the change automatically update every pending case?
Only in court locations with an automated roll of attorneys, where the successor’s appearance is entered automatically. Elsewhere, the original appearance stays on file until the successor files notice under Section 2-26 or withdraws under Section 3-10.
What if the successor firm won’t keep representing a particular client?
The new attorney who will represent that client must file an appearance, and the successor firm must withdraw its own appearance for that party under Section 3-10.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 3-12). 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: law firm name change court notice CTfirm merger appearance updateattorney leaves firm appearancesuccessor firm appearance ruleschange in firm membership notice