On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department publicly censured attorney Guljit Kaur Bains for professional misconduct related to the management of client funds. The disciplinary action came after a formal proceeding initiated by the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Guljit Kaur Bains,” with case no. 2022-02194.
Bains faced two charges of misconduct. The first charge involved allegations of misappropriation of client funds from an escrow account associated with her law firm, Ali & Bains, PC. Between June 8, 2018, and March 2, 2020, the escrow account reportedly experienced a rolling shortage of up to $80,000. During this period, checks disbursed by Bains were drawn against other client funds, constituting a violation of fiduciary duties as outlined in the Rules of Professional Conduct.
The second charge against Bains concerned her failure to maintain accurate bookkeeping records for the escrow account. Specifically, she did not keep a ledger that would detail the source of all deposited funds, the identities of clients for whom the funds were held, and the amounts disbursed. This lack of record-keeping is also considered a violation of the professional standards set for attorneys.
The disciplinary process began with the service of a notice of petition on July 27, 2023, followed by a verified petition filed the day before. Bains responded with a verified answer admitting the factual allegations but denying any violation of the professional conduct rules. The matter was subsequently referred to Special Referee Arthur J. Cooperman for further examination.
A hearing was held on March 19, 2024, where the Grievance Committee presented eleven exhibits to support its case. Bains testified in her defense, explaining her role as a partner at the law firm and detailing her legal background. She described her reliance on the firm’s bookkeeper and the oversight provided by her law partners, asserting that she was unaware of any discrepancies in the account until the investigation.
The Special Referee sustained both charges against her on a report dated May 22, 2024. The Grievance Committee subsequently moved to confirm the referee’s findings and sought appropriate disciplinary measures. In response to the findings, Bains submitted an affirmation requesting a private admonition, citing her extensive pro bono work and character references as mitigating factors. However, the court determined that these considerations did not absolve her of her fiduciary duties.
Ultimately, the court ruled to publicly censure Bains for her misconduct, emphasizing the importance of accountability in the legal profession.
According to Avvo.com, Ms Bains is a class action attorney in Forest Hills, New York. She acquired her law license in New York in 1996.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
