On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department publicly censured attorney Tejinder Singh Bains for professional misconduct. The decision followed a disciplinary proceeding initiated by the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Tejinder Singh Bains,” with case no. 2022-02193.
Bains was subject to two charges of misconduct. The Grievance Committee filed a notice of petition and a verified petition in July 2023, detailing the allegations against him. Bains admitted to the factual allegations but denied violating the Rules of Professional Conduct.
The charges against Bains primarily involved his role as a managing partner at the law firm Ali & Bains, PC. The first charge claimed that between June 8, 2018, and March 2, 2020, the firm’s escrow account experienced a rolling shortage of up to $80,000. During this period, Bains allegedly misappropriated funds from the escrow account, which violated the fiduciary responsibilities outlined in Rule 1.15(a) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
The second charge indicated that Bains failed to maintain proper bookkeeping records for the escrow account. Specifically, he did not keep an accurate ledger that documented the sources of all deposited funds, the identities of clients for whom the funds were held, or the details of any disbursements, thus breaching Rule 1.15(d).
A hearing took place on March 18, 2024, where the Grievance Committee presented 11 exhibits to support its case. Bains testified on his own behalf and included a character witness to provide testimony in his favor. He explained that his law firm had previously received a Dismissal with Advisement letter from the Grievance Committee concerning the management of the escrow account. Following this, it was agreed that his partner, Shahid Ali, would take over the management of the account.
Bains claimed that a significant bank error in 2018, which resulted in an erroneous debit of $180,000 from the escrow account, contributed to the financial discrepancies that were later discovered. He stated that Ali had assured him that the situation was under control and that funds were transferred from an operating account of the law firm into the escrow account to cover the deficiencies.
Following the hearing, the Special Referee sustained both charges against Bains and acknowledged his acceptance of responsibility for the misconduct. The Grievance Committee moved to confirm the Special Referee’s report, seeking appropriate disciplinary action.
In determining the consequences, the court considered various mitigating factors, including Bains’s extensive pro bono work, positive character references, and his expressed remorse for the misconduct. Despite these considerations, the court concluded that Bains failed to fulfill his obligations as a fiduciary.
Ultimately, the court confirmed the Grievance Committee’s motion and publicly censured Bains for his professional misconduct.
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Bains is an attorney in Hollis, New York. He acquired his law license in New York in 1993.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
