On Friday, July 14, 2023, the Supreme Court of California issued a final discipline order against attorney Neema Tavakoli. The attorney was suspended from practicing law for one year, with the execution of that period stayed, and placed on probation for one year.
The case is entitled “In the matter of Neema Tavakoli” with case no. S279858.
In a stipulation of facts, conclusions of law, and disposition and order dated March 28, 2022, it was stated that Neema Tavakoli admitted to violating California Rules of Court by failing to file an affidavit of compliance after being placed on interim suspension. According to Tavakoli, the violation occurred due to personal and family difficulties, including the birth of his second child and his father’s severe illness in Iran. Despite being late, Tavakoli eventually filed the affidavit and provided evidence of extreme emotional and physical challenges. He also received character references from various sources, indicating his good character. The recommended discipline then was a 30-day actual suspension.
Following this event, on June 29, 2023, Tavakoli’s license was suspended by the Supreme Court of California. Allegedly, he initially faced charges of battery with serious bodily injury and elder or dependent adult abuse. However, these charges were dismissed when he opted to plead no contest to a violation of Penal Code section 245, subsection (a)(4), which pertains to assaulting someone with force that could potentially lead to significant bodily harm.
Tavakoli and the State Bar, represented by the Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC), subsequently jointly presented a stipulation to the court. This stipulation outlined their mutual agreement for Tavakoli’s actual suspension of more than 90 days. Regrettably, the Hearing Department declined to accept the stipulation due to its non-conformity with the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar. As a result, the Supreme Court of California ruled unfavorably for Tavakoli and proceeded to impose a more stringent disciplinary action than the one initially agreed upon by the parties. Consequently, an order was issued by the Supreme Court of California, resulting in a three-year suspension of Tavakoli from practicing law.
In relation to this, the Supreme Court of California issued an en banc decision suspending Tavakoli from the practice of law.
The Disposition states:
“The court orders that Neema Tavakoli (Respondent), State Bar Number 326866, is suspended from the practice of law in California for one year, execution of that period of suspension is stayed, and Respondent is placed on probation for one year subject to the following conditions:
1. Respondent is suspended from the practice of law for the first 30 days of probation;
2. Respondent must comply with the other conditions of probation recommended by the Hearing Department of the State Bar Court in its Order Approving Stipulation filed on March 28, 2023; and
3. At the expiration of the period of probation, if Respondent has complied with all conditions of probation, the period of stayed suspension will be satisfied and that suspension will be terminated.”
Mr. Neema Tavakoli attended Abraham Lincoln University, graduating in 2014. Tavakoli practices in Los Angeles, California. He is licensed in California with license no. 326866. His info can be found on Linkedin.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
