Statewide Grievance Committee v. Wurz, No. Cv00-0597097 (Sep. 13, 2000)

**Attorney Suspended for Criminal Conduct Affecting Professional Standing** This case involved an attorney named Wurz who was convicted of two felonies related to making false statements and obstructing an investigation. The Statewide Grievance Committee, which oversees lawyer conduct in Connecticut, brought disciplinary action against Wurz following these criminal convictions. The court decided to suspend Wurz from practicing law for one year. The court determined that the attorney's felony convictions for dishonesty and obstruction violated professional conduct rules that lawyers must follow. The suspension meant Wurz could not represent clients or practice law during this period. **What This Means for Workers:** This ruling demonstrates that attorneys face serious consequences when they engage in criminal behavior, especially crimes involving dishonesty. For workers, this case highlights the importance of the legal profession's accountability standards. When you hire an attorney to represent you in employment matters, you can expect that lawyer to meet professional conduct standards. If they don't, disciplinary bodies like grievance committees can take action, including suspending or removing lawyers who violate ethical rules. This system helps protect workers and other clients from attorneys who might not act in their best interests.