In re The Application to Admit James W. Glatthaar, Pro Hac Vice

Judicial District of Hartford at Hartford
CV 05-4015630 - 05-CBAR-2200
October 24, 2005

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION

The present application seeks permission for James W. Glatthaar, a member of the bar of the state of New York, to appear pro hac vice in a Connecticut arbitration. The application was filed pursuant to Practice Book §2-16. An objection has been filed to the application on several grounds but mainly because Practice Book §2-16 does not apply to arbitrations.

Practice Book §2-16 states, in relevant part, "[a]n attorney who is in good standing at the bar of another state, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, may, upon special and infrequent occasion and for good cause shown upon written application presented by a member of the bar of this state, be permitted in the discretion of the court to participate to such extent as the court may prescribe in the presentation of a cause or appeal in any court of this state . . ." (Emphasis supplied.) This section clearly only mentions matters in court; it makes no reference to arbitrations outside court.

Practice Book §2-2 states: "[n]o person shall be admitted as an attorney except as herein provided." Notwithstanding the credentials of the applicant, or the appropriateness of his request, (or even the fact that he could seek this pro hac vice permission to have the arbitration decision confirmed or vacated), Chapter two of the Practice Book contains no provision which would authorize this court to allow Attorney Glatthaar to represent his clients in a Connecticut arbitration independent of the Superior Court. Accordingly, the objection is sustained.

Berger, J.