(a) In each case where a legal intern appears in court or before an administrative tribunal, the written consent and approval referred to in Section 3-14 shall be filed in the record of the case and shall be brought to the attention of the judicial authority or the presiding officer of the administrative tribunal.
Section 3-17.—Activities of Legal Intern
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceExplains the paperwork and activities a legal intern may handle beyond courtroom appearances, including preparing pleadings and briefs, and requires the intern's name and the supervising attorney's signature on every document.
Full Text of Section 3-17
(b) In addition to appearing in court or before an administrative tribunal, an intern may, under the supervision of a member of the bar:
(1) prepare pleadings and other documents to be filed in any matter;
(2) prepare briefs, abstracts and other documents.
(c) Each document or pleading must contain the name of the intern who participated in drafting it and must be signed by the supervising attorney.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 71.) (Amended June 15, 2018, to take effect Jan. 1, 2019.)
Plain-English Summary
When a legal intern appears in court or before an administrative tribunal, the written consent and approval described in Section 3-14 must be filed in the case record and brought to the attention of the judicial authority or the tribunal's presiding officer.
Beyond making appearances, an intern working under a supervising attorney may prepare pleadings and other documents to be filed in a matter, and may prepare briefs, abstracts, and other documents. Every document or pleading the intern helps draft must show the intern's name and must be signed by the supervising attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of documents can a legal intern prepare?
Under a supervising attorney, an intern may prepare pleadings and other documents to be filed in any matter, as well as briefs, abstracts, and other documents.
Does the intern sign the documents they help draft?
No. Each document or pleading must list the intern’s name as a participant in drafting it, but the supervising attorney must sign it.
What happens to the written consent for an intern’s appearance?
It must be filed in the record of the case and brought to the attention of the judicial authority or the presiding officer of the administrative tribunal.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 3-17). 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: what can a legal intern do CTlegal intern drafting pleadingsintern signature requirement Connecticutlegal intern preparing briefs