Newbury Park attorney Kenneth Asher Amirian has been disbarred by the California State Bar over allegations he violated codes of business and professional conduct in a single client matter, according to a recent decision.
Amirian was charged with five counts of misconduct, including one count of failing to keep the state bar informed about his current address, according to the eight-page decision and order of involuntary inactive enrollment issued Aug. 11.
Amirian failed to participate in person or via counsel and state bar's decision and order for disbarment was entered by default. In cases such as this, when an attorney fails to participate in a California State Bar disciplinary proceeding despite adequate notice and opportunity, the bar invokes Rule 5.85, which provides the procedure for the state bar to recommend an attorney’s disbarment.
The bar's decision is pending final action by the California Supreme Court, an appeal before the bar's Review Department or expiration of time in which parties to may request further review within the State Bar Court.
Amirian was admitted to the bar in California on Sept. 22, 2009, according to his profile at the state bar's website. Amirian was suspended July 1, 2015, for failing to pay bar memberships dues, according to information on his bar profile.
Other allegations against Amirian included accepting money from an individual other than his client as compensation for Amirian's counsel without obtaining his client's written consent, according to the state bar's decision and order.
Amirian also was accused of constructively terminating his employment as counsel for that client March 4, 2016, and of failing to take any further action on the client’s behalf, despite having agreed to appear at a probation revocation hearing at the client’s behalf the following March 15, 2016, according to the state bar's decision and order.
In addition to disbarment, the state bar recommended Amirian be ordered to pay $600 plus interest in restitution, according to the state bar's decision and order.
On Feb. 24, a default order was entered against Amirian, rendering him not eligible to practice law in California, after he failed to make a filing in the state bar's proceedings against him, according to information on his profile at the state bar's website.