Matter of Salami

Summary

The Appellate Division, Second Department imposed reciprocal discipline on Steven Hosseyn Salami based on a public censure imposed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey following his criminal conviction for simple assault. The court suspended Salami from practicing law for six months, beginning January 8, 2018, and required compliance with specified reinstatement conditions.

Holdings

1. Reciprocal discipline was warranted based on the misconduct underlying the New Jersey Supreme Court's order imposing public discipline.
2. A six-month suspension from the practice of law was appropriate, rather than the censure requested by the respondent.

Questions Presented

1. Whether reciprocal discipline should be imposed in New York based on the respondent's criminal misconduct and resulting public censure in New Jersey.
2. What sanction was appropriate in New York, considering the nature of the criminal conduct, the similarity of the New Jersey offense to a New York disciplinary offense, mitigating circumstances, and the respondent's failure to report his conviction to the New York court.

Disposition

other