Opinion
Docket No. DRB 15-106
05-27-2015
Re: In the Matter of Steven H. Salami
BONNIE C. FROST, ESQ., CHAIR EDNA Y. BAUGH, ESQ., VICE-CHAIR BRUCE W. CLARK, ESQ. HON. MAURICE J. GALLIPOLI THOMAS J. HOBERMAN EILEEN RIVERA ANNE C. SINGER, ESQ. ROBERT C. ZMIRICH ELLEN A. BRODSKY CHIEF COUNSEL MELISSA URBAN FIRST ASSISTANT COUNSEL TIMOTHY M. ELLIS LILLIAN LEWIN BARRY R. PETERSEN, JR. COLIN T. TAMS KATHRYN ANNE WINTERLE ASSISTANT COUNSEL
BONNIE C. FROST, ESQ., CHAIR
EDNA Y. BAUGH, ESQ., VICE-CHAIR
BRUCE W. CLARK, ESQ.
HON. MAURICE J. GALLIPOLI
THOMAS J. HOBERMAN
EILEEN RIVERA
ANNE C. SINGER, ESQ.
ROBERT C. ZMIRICH ELLEN A. BRODSKY
CHIEF COUNSEL MELISSA URBAN
FIRST ASSISTANT COUNSEL TIMOTHY M. ELLIS
LILLIAN LEWIN
BARRY R. PETERSEN, JR.
COLIN T. TAMS
KATHRYN ANNE WINTERLE
ASSISTANT COUNSEL RICHARD J. HUGHES JUSTICE COMPLEX CERTIFIED MAIL , R.R.R. AND REGULAR MAIL
Steven H. Salami, Esq.
c/o Marta Natasza Kozlowska, Esq.
Traub Lieberman Straus & Shrewsberry LLP
322 Highway 35
Red Bank, NJ 07701 District Docket No. IX-2012-0023E
LETTER OF ADMONITION Dear Mr. Salami:
The Disciplinary Review Board has reviewed your conduct in the above matter and has concluded that it was improper. Following a review of the record, the Board determined to impose an admonition.
Specifically, while representing a client in a litigation matter, you obtained an order permitting your client to file an answer within a specified time period. Although you submitted the answer timely, you failed to enclose the proper filing fee. You then submitted the correct fee, but did not do so timely and the answer was rejected. Despite your knowledge that the answer had been rejected, you did not file a motion or contact the court seeking relief. By failing to file a timely pleading on your client's behalf, you violated RPC 1.1(a) and RPC 1.3. As a result of the foregoing rule violations, you are also guilty of violating RPC 8.4(a).
The Board dismissed the charged violations of RPC 1.1(b), RPC 1.4 (presumably (b)), and RPC 8.4(c), for lack of clear and convincing evidence.
In imposing only an admonition, the Board considered that you have been a member of the bar for fifteen years with no history of discipline.
Your conduct adversely reflected not only upon you as an attorney, but also upon all members of the bar. Accordingly, the Board has directed the issuance of this admonition to you. R. 1:20-15(f)(4).
A permanent record of this occurrence has been filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court and the Board's office. Should you become the subject of any further discipline, it will be taken into consideration.
The Board has also directed that the costs of the disciplinary proceedings be assessed against you. An invoice of costs will be forwarded under separate cover.
Very truly yours,
/s/
Ellen A. Brodsky
Chief Counsel EAB/lg
C: Chief Justice Stuart Rabner
Associate Justices
Bonnie C. Frost, Chair
Disciplinary Review Board
Mark Neary, Clerk
Supreme Court of New Jersey
Gail G. Haney, Deputy Clerk
Supreme Court of New Jersey (w/ethics history)
Charles Centinaro, Director
Office of Attorney Ethics
Paula Granuzzo, Statewide Ethics Coordinator
Office of Attorney Ethics
Bunce D. Atkinson, Chair
District IV Ethics Committee
Mark B. Watson, Vice Chair
District IV Ethics Committee
Joseph M. Casello, Secretary
District IV Ethics Committee
Larion Spano, Grievant