(a) Any person may file a written complaint alleging attorney misconduct. A grievance panel may, on its own motion, initiate and file a written complaint alleging attorney misconduct. A complaint against an attorney shall be filed with the State-Wide Bar Counsel. Within five working days of the receipt of a complaint the State-Wide Bar Counsel shall:

(1) Forward the complaint to the appropriate grievance panel as determined under rules of court; and

(2) Notify the complainant and the respondent, by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the panel to which the complaint was forwarded. The notification to the respondent shall be accompanied by a copy of the complaint.

(b) The respondent shall have the right to respond within ten days of receipt of notification to the grievance panel to which the complaint has been referred.

(c) The State-Wide Bar Counsel shall keep a record of all complaints filed with him. The complainant and the respondent shall notify the State-Wide Bar Counsel of any change of address or telephone number during the pendency of the proceedings on the complaint.

(d) If for good cause shown, a grievance panel declines, or is unable pursuant to sections 51-90 to 51-91b, inclusive, to investigate a complaint referred to the panel, such panel shall forthwith return the complaint to the State-Wide Bar Counsel to be referred by him immediately to another panel. The State-Wide Bar Counsel shall give notice of such referral to the complainant and the respondent by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(P.A. 86-276, S. 6, 15; 86-403, S. 105, 132; P.A. 88-152, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 86-403 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting proviso that grievance panel shall not be deemed “complainant”; P.A. 88-152 amended Subsec. (a) to require action by the state-wide bar counsel within five “working” days, rather than five days, of the receipt of a complaint.

Cited. 215 C. 162. Plaintiff could not directly present attorney to Superior Court for discipline. Id., 469. Cited. Id., 517; 216 C. 228; 227 C. 802; Id., 829; 234 C. 539; 240 C. 671.

Cited. 41 CA 671; judgment reversed, see 240 C. 671; 43 CA 265; 46 CA 450.

Cited. 44 CS 348.

Subsec. (a):

Court has jurisdiction over allegations of professional misconduct by a practicing attorney even during a period of disbarment. 282 C. 1.