SAN FRANCISCO (Northern California Record) — La Habra attorney Sanam Alicia Nikkhoo, practicing in California about four years, faces possible disbarment following a recently announced California State Bar Court recommendation following her conviction for identity theft.
Nikkhoo was alleged to have committed access card fraud and to have filed false documents with the court without the consent of the identity theft victim, according to the 22-page decision and order of involuntary inactive enrollment issued Oct. 11 by the state bar court. Nikkhoo pleaded no contest to a single count of misdemeanor identify theft in Orange County Superior Court, for which she was placed on two years' informal probation, ordered to serve four days in jail, complete 48 hours of community service and pay restitution, fine and fees.
The state bar court's review department filed for hearing and decision in March.
"In light of [Nikkhoo]’s conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, and after considering the facts and circumstances surrounding the conviction, as well as the serious aggravating circumstances, including multiple acts of wrongdoing, indifference toward rectification/atonement, dishonesty, and lack of candor, the court recommends that [Nikkhoo] be disbarred," the decision and order said.
The state bar's recommendation is pending final action by the California Supreme Court, an appeal before the state bar's review department or expiration of time when parties can request further review within the state bar court.
Nikkhoo's recommended discipline was among the dispositions filed earlier this month by the state bar court's hearing department for October.
Nikkhoo was admitted to the bar in California on June 6, 2014, according to her profile at the state bar website.
"Although [Nikkhoo] has no prior record of discipline, at the time of her misconduct she had only been practicing law for a little over two years," the decision and order said. "Furthermore, due to [Nikkhoo]’s lack of insight and indifference toward rectification or atonement for the consequences of her misconduct, the court cannot find that [Nikkhoo]’s conduct is not likely to recur."
The state bar court's recommendation included an involuntary inactive enrollment order that rendered Nikkhoo involuntarily enrolled as an inactive member of the State Bar of California. That order was effective three calendar days after service, according to the recommendation.