(a) Any person who (1) pays, remunerates or rewards any other person with something of value to solicit or obtain a cause of action or client for an attorney-at-law or (2) employs an agent, runner or other person to solicit or obtain a cause of action or a client for an attorney-at-law or (3) pays, remunerates or rewards any other person with something of value for soliciting or bringing a cause of action or a client to an attorney-at-law or (4) pays, remunerates or rewards with something of value a police officer, court officer, correctional institution officer or employee, a physician, any hospital attache or employee, an automobile repairman, tower or wrecker, funeral director or any other person who induces any person to seek the services of an attorney or (5) pays, remunerates or rewards any other person with something of value to induce such other person to bring a cause of action to, or to come to, an attorney or to seek an attorney's professional services shall be guilty of a class E felony. This subsection shall not apply to an attorney's engaging other or additional attorneys for professional assistance or to an attorney's referring a case to another attorney.
(b) Any person who knowingly receives or accepts any payment, remuneration or reward of value for referring or bringing a cause of action or prospective client to an attorney-at-law, or for inducing or influencing any other person to seek the professional advice or services of an attorney, shall be guilty of a class E felony. This subsection shall not apply to the referral by an attorney-at-law of causes of action or clients or other persons to another attorney-at-law.
(1957, P.A. 606, S. 1, 2; P.A. 13-258, S. 27.)
History: P.A. 13-258 changed penalties from fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than 3 years to a class E felony, and made technical changes.
See Sec. 53-340a re solicitation of clients, patients or customers for attorneys or health care professionals.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Section 51-80a. - Regulation of foreign legal consultants.
Section 51-81. - Investigation of qualifications of applicants for admission to the bar.
Section 51-81a. - Certificate of registration. Fee. Renewal.
Section 51-81d. - Client Security Fund.
Section 51-84. - Attorneys subject to rules.
Section 51-85. - Authority and powers of commissioners of the Superior Court.
Section 51-86. - Soliciting persons to institute actions for damages.
Section 51-87. - Solicitation of cases for attorneys.
Section 51-87a. - Limitations on written communications to prospective clients.
Section 51-88. - Practice of law by persons not admitted as attorneys. Exceptions.
Section 51-88a. - Practice of law by persons not admitted as attorneys. Real estate closings.
Section 51-89. - State marshal or constable not to act as attorney in court.
Section 51-89a. - Complaint and hearing required for suspension or disbarment.
Section 51-90. - State-Wide Grievance Committee. Appointment, qualifications and terms of members.
Section 51-90a. - Powers and duties of State-Wide Grievance Committee.
Section 51-90b. - Grievance panels. Appointment, qualifications and terms of members.
Section 51-90c. - State-Wide Bar Counsel.
Section 51-90d. - Grievance counsel and investigators. Powers and duties of grievance counsel.
Section 51-90e. - Filing of complaint alleging attorney misconduct. Referral to grievance panel.
Section 51-90f. - Investigation and determination by grievance panel of attorney misconduct.
Section 51-90g. - Review of panel's determination by subcommittee or State-Wide Grievance Committee.
Section 51-90h. - Decision of State-Wide Grievance Committee.
Section 51-91. - Compelling testimony of witnesses. Contempt.
Section 51-91b. - Applicability of grievance procedures. Transfer of pending matters.
Section 51-91c. - Posting of signs concerning attorney grievance procedures.
Section 51-92. - Grievance committees; fees and expenses.
Section 51-93. - Reinstatement of attorneys.
Section 51-94. - Evidence in proceedings to suspend, displace or remove attorneys-at-law.