The mission of the Connecticut Judicial Branch is to serve the interests of justice and the public by resolving matters brought before it in a fair, timely, efficient and open manner.

Attorney Discipline Supreme Court Slip Opinion

by Booth, George

 

SC20356 - Cohen v. Statewide Grievance Committee (Attorney discipline; Rules of professional conduct; Whether rule prohibiting a lawyer from making "False statement" to tribunal only applies when lawyer is representing a client; whether plaintiff attorney made a knowingly false statement to probate court; "In this certified appeal, the plaintiff, Attorney Debra Cohen, appeals from the Appellate Court's judgment affirming the trial court's dismissal of her appeal from a reprimand the defendant, the Statewide Grievance Committee, imposed on her for violating rules 3.3 (a) (1) and 8.4 (3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct. On appeal, the plaintiff claims that (1) rule 3.3 (a) (1) does not apply when, as in the present case, she was at all relevant times an attorney admitted to practice in this state but was serving as a court-appointed fiduciary, (2) the defendant incorrectly concluded that she violated rule 3.3 (a) (1) by making a "false statement," and (3) the defendant incorrectly concluded that her conduct was dishonest in violation of rule 8.4 (3). We disagree and, accordingly, affirm the judgment of the Appellate Court.")