On Thursday, April 11, 2024, the Presiding Disciplinary Judge of Colorado approved a stipulation to discipline attorney Armin Sharifi, suspending him from practicing law.
The case is entitled “People v. Armin Sharifi,” with case number 24PDJ024.
According to the stipulation, in August 2021 Sharifi was retained by a client to represent her in a domestic relations case, however, the engagement agreement did not specify that matter in the scope of work. The client paid Sharifi a $12,500 retainer, which he deposited in his firm’s trust account.
Sharifi never entered an appearance in the domestic relations case, and the client hired other attorneys to assist. As Sharifi performed other legal work for the client, he transferred portions of the retainer to his operating account without sending invoices or informing the client.
In January 2022, Sharifi moved the remaining balance of the client’s funds from his trust to the operating account, even though his last work for her was in November 2021. When the client requested an accounting in February, Sharifi issued a $2,900 check to his accountant without refunding the client. He then stopped communicating with his accountant.
Repeated requests for an accounting and refund from the client between February and April went unanswered by Sharifi. It was not until October 18, 2023 that the client received an invoice and refund, disputing the amount Sharifi claimed he earned. Sharifi was unable to provide records documenting his handling of the client’s money.
As a result of his misconduct, the Presiding Judge suspended Sharifi for one year and one day, with six months stayed on completion of a two-year probation subjecting him to practice monitoring. The judge found Sharifi violated rules regarding client communications, funds handling, and dishonest conduct.
According to Avvo, Mr. Sharifi is an attorney in Denver Colorado. He graduated from the University of Denver in 2016. He obtained his law license in Colorado in the same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
