Connecticut Practice Book Section 2-70, effective January 1, 1999,
provides that an annual fee be assessed to fund a client security fund.
Invoices for the first annual Client Security Fund assessment were
mailed by the Judicial Branch on May 12, 1999. Payment of $75.00 is due
on or before June 15, 1999. The purpose of the client security fund is
to reimburse clients who have been the victims of the "dishonest
conduct" of an attorney, as defined in Practice Book Section 2-69.
Pursuant to Practice Book Section 2-70, the fee is to be paid by each
attorney admitted to practice in Connecticut, and each judge, judge
trial referee, state referee, family support magistrate, family support
referee and workers compensation commissioner.
An attorney is not automatically exempt from the fee because he or she
practices out of state, or because he or she does not actively practice
law. Only those attorneys who have been disbarred, retired, or resigned
for the entire year prior to the date payment of the fee is due are
exempt from payment of the fee for the year. Attorneys have "retired"
only if they have complied with the provisions of Practice Book Section
2-55 and Section 51-81b(g) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Section 51-81b(g) provides, in part, that "the attorney shall file
written notice of retirement with the clerk of the superior court for
the judicial district of Hartford...". The address for the clerk of the
superior court for the judicial district of Hartford is: Clerk, Superior
Court, Hartford J.D., 95 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106. Practice
Book Section 2-55 provides, "Written notice of retirement from the
practice of law, pursuant to the provisions of General Statutes §51-81b,
shall not constitute removal from the bar or the roll of attorneys, but
it shall be noted on the roll of attorneys kept by the clerk in Hartford
county who shall notify the statewide bar counsel of such retirement.
Retirement may be revoked at any time upon written notice to the clerk
for Hartford county and the statewide bar counsel. Disciplinary
proceedings against an attorney shall not be stayed or terminated on
account of the attorney's retirement from the practice of law".
For information concerning resignation, please see Practice Book Section
2-52.
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