THIS WEBSITE IS NOT AUTHORIZED, ENDORSED, LICENSED, APPROVED, RECOMMENDED, PUBLISHED, MAINTAINED, EDITED OR MANAGED BY RAJ (KULRAJ SINGH) BAINS OR ANY OF HIS AFFILIATES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES.**

ABOUT RAJ

Raj Bains (WSBA Bar # 22459) is a family law attorney practicing in Federal Way Washington. He was suspended from practicing law by order of the Supreme Court of Washington State on July 26, 2016 ( Order Approving Stipulation to Suspension & Stipulation to Suspension ). The Suspension became effective August 2, 2016. Raj Bains was also indefinitely suspended by the US District Court, Eastern District of Washington State effective September 2, 2016. ( Order of Suspension ) Raj Bains finally was suspended by the US District Court, Western District of Washington State effective September 7, 2016. ( Order of Suspension ) Raj Bains has operated us business under the name "Law Office of Raj Bains" and an unlicensed name of "Bains Law Firm". The suspension concluded on October 30, 2016 and Raj was automatically reinstated as an active attorney on October 31, 2016.

On March 26, 2014, a grievance was filed against Raj Bains alleging numerous violations of the Washington State Rules of Professional Conduct (RPCs). The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) acknowledged receipt of the grievance and opened a case (14-00531) on March 31, 2014.

As Raj Bains was preparing for his pending suspension, he hired Tyler L. Merrill (WSBA Bar # 50696) in early 2016 (Tyler was admitted on 5/10/2016). Upon the suspension being effective, Raj withdrew from his active cases (on 8/1/2016) and substituted Tyler in his place. (This includes, but is not limited to, Pierce County, Washington Cases: 15-3-04547-3, JENNIFER M MCNALLY VS. ANDREW JAMES MCNALLY, 16-3-00401-5, KELLY MCKENNA VS. DAVID COLLETTE, 15-3-03334-3, REBECCA DAWN STICE VS. TRAVIS HEARL STICE, 16-3-00406-6, MARIA ANTONIA WELLS VS. JAMES WILLIAM WELLS, 15-5-00568-1, *** IN RE MAXTON TAYE HENRY-GORDON ***, 14-3-02450-8, DARRIN JAMES LONDON VS. TINA MAY LONDON, and 16-3-02455-5, JAMES DANIEL SODEN VS. KELSEA DAWN BAKER)

Like everything else in Raj Bains' life, instead of taking responsibilities for his actions and conduct, in all likelihood he will tell his family and friends something like "I'm not going to be working for a while, because this person or that person said a bunch of untrue things about me..." Raj has no ability to take genuine responsibility for any of his conduct or actions and must, at every turn, blame others for the consequences of his own actions. At last check, 1) The WSBA does not disciplines attorneys based on "untrue things" and 2) It was Raj and his counsel (David Allen, WSBA Bar # 500 and Cooper David Offenbecher, WSBA Bar # 40690) that agreed to a stipulation for the suspension. When one agrees to a stipulation, they are agreeing/admitting to its  terms/violations. It is highly unlikely that counsel for Raj Bains would be admitting to untrue things that ultimately cause a suspension from the practice of law. (Raj has a history of such behavior. When he was arrested for felony assault in 2010--for injuring his own daughter's head, nonetheless--where he adamantly denied assaulting his daughter, but in the end pled guilty to it in a plea agreement, notably using the same two criminal defense attorneys that represented him in this WSBA grievance.)


BEWARE: Raj Bains has been a referral attorney for Divorce Lawyers for Men (DLFM). Raj Bains has also a referral attorney for CLC Legal Access Program (CLC) which historically has been used by major employers and companies including Boeing, Weyerhaeuser, Franciscan Health and Starbucks. CLC's in-house Counsel, Phillip Cunningham was notified of Raj Bains' suspension and responded with the following message: "Thank you for your email regarding Atty Bains. CLC is aware of the disciplinary order and stipulation affecting Mr. Bains ability to practice law in Washington and has taken appropriate action regarding the matter."

Make sure that if you utilize either of these companies to obtain a referral for legal counsel, verify that the attorney(s) that they refer you to have not been disciplined by the Washington State Bar Association. In the case of Raj Bains, it would be unsurprising if he has setup his new cover attorney, Tyler Merrill as the referral attorney with both DLFM and CLC.

GRIEVANCE TIMELINE

Check back often as more documents are being processed for publication below.

  • 2014

  • Initial Grievance Filed

    March 26, 2014

    Mark Taylor files a grievance (61 pages) with Washington State Bar Association against Attorney Raj Bains.

  • Grievance Acknowledged by the WSBA

    March 31, 2014

    The WSBA Acknowledged receipt of the grievance and opened ODC File 14-00531. Raj Bains was sent a copy of the grievance and a request to respond within 30 days was made in accordance with the Rules of Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct (ELC).

    Letter of Acknowledgement

  • Raj Bains Legally Changes His Name

    April 28, 2014

    Raj Bains in response to allegations made against him files a legal name change (From Kulraj Singh Bains to Raj Bains) petitioned in King County District Court (Case 144-00326)

    Order Changing Name

  • Respondent Attorney Raj Bains Response

    May 5, 2014

    Raj Bains files a response with exhibits (62 pages) obviously denying the allegations made against him. He makes attempts to pass the blame to just about everyone around him he possibly can.

    Attorney Response to Grievance

  • Grievant Reply to Attorney Response

    May 22, 2014

    Mark Taylor turns around in 2 weeks 1,057 pages of reply with exhibits to Raj Bains' feigning attempt to deflect attention and responsibility regarding the allegations made against him. The Reply addresses Respondent Bains ENTIRE response paragraph by paragraph.

  • 2015
  • 2016

  • ORDER APPROVING STIPULATION TO SUSPENSION

    July 26, 2016

    The Supreme Court of Washington State entered the order approving Raj Bains Stipulated Suspension for 3 Months.

    Order Approving Stipulation to Suspension
    Stipulation to Suspension
    WSBA Lawyer Discipline Notice for Raj Bains

  • SUSPENSION EFFECTIVE

    August 2, 2016

    Raj Bains' Suspension effective.

  • ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

    August 1, 2016

    The US District Court, Western District of WA sent Raj Bains (by First Class Mail) an Order to Show why he should not be suspended by the US District Court, Western District of WA (in accordance with General Rule 2(f)(6)).

    Order to Show Cause

  • ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

    August 4, 2016

    The US District Court, Eastern District of WA sent Raj Bains (by Email and First Class Mail) an Order to Show why he should not be suspended by the US District Court, Eastern District of WA (in accordance with LR 83.3).

    Order to Show Cause

  • Suspension filed with US District Court, Eastern District of WA

    August 4, 2016

    The US District Court, Eastern District of WA received the Notice of Suspension, Order Approving Stipulation to Suspension, Stipulation to Suspension, and the Corrected Order Approving Stipulation to Three-Month Suspension.

    Order Suspension Filing

  • Suspension filed with US District Court, Western District of WA

    August 5, 2016

    The US District Court, Western District of WA received the Notice of Suspension, Order Approving Stipulation to Suspension, Stipulation to Suspension, and the Corrected Order Approving Stipulation to Three-Month Suspension.

    Order Suspension Filing

  • Avvo.com Rating Change

    August 7, 2016

    Attorney rating site Avvo.com downgraded Raj Bains to a 3.0 out of 10 stars as a result of his disciplinary action.

    There are a couple notable comments made about Raj.

    The first was posted by "JDN" on Feb 24, 2011 stating, "On two occasions Mr. Baines gave me great pro bono legal advice. I would definitely seek his advice again."

    The Pro-Bono legal services this individual received are very likely as a result of his plea-deal in his "Assault in the Fourth Degree - Domestic Violence" (assaulting his own child) case, (King County, WA 10-1-05525-4). I can't imagine Raj informed this client that the Pro-Bono services that they were receiving were part of his Court Ordered Restitution to Assaulting his own child.

    The second was posted by "Robert" on Jan 14, 2011 stating, "Raj is a cocky attorney who was unable to back up his talk. He drafted an order that did not reflect key points that the commissioner made and did not look out for my best interests. I just wasted $15,000 on this guy and am no better off. My ex now lives in the house, has 72% of my income, and primary custody of the kids.

    I was the one who filed here and have never hit, endangered, or done anything wrong. I was a devoted father to my children and Raj really dropped the ball and took my money.

    Stay away from this guy.    "

    It should also be noted that there are 8 attorneys that have given Raj endorsements. It is amazing that these attorneys would maintain their endorsements of Raj despite the disciplinary action.
    Lani Sockle ( Avvo) ( WSBA)
    (Part Owner of Divorce Lawyers for Men)
    Neil Connor McPherson ( Avvo) ( WSBA)
    Charles P. Shane ( Avvo) ( WSBA)
    Janelle Eggert ( Avvo) ( WSBA)
    Tristen Une-Jeong Key ( Avvo) ( WSBA)
    John David Ferrell ( Avvo) ( WSBA)
    Elizabeth Jackels ( Avvo) ( WSBA)
    Kelsey Mackenzie Brown ( Avvo) ( WSBA)

    Avvo Website Screenshot
    Raj Bains Avvo Page

  • ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RETURNED UNDELIVERABLE

    August 8, 2016

    The US District Court, Western District of WA received as undeliverable the Order to Show Cause sent to Raj Bains via last known address. The address that the US District Court mailed the Order to Show Cause to: Raj Bains, Burns & Hammerly, PS, 500 - 108th Ave NE #770, Bellevue, WA 98004-5060.

    Order Undeliverable Envelope

  • ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RETURNED UNDELIVERABLE

    August 15, 2016

    The US District Court, Eastern District of WA received as undeliverable the Order to Show Cause sent to Raj Bains. The address that the US District Court mailed the Order to Show Cause to: Raj Bains, P.O. Box 2712, Gig Harbor, WA 98335-4712. This is the same address that Raj has provided to the WSBA and is listed as his address in the WSBA lawyer Directory (WSBA Bar # 22459). It would appear that Raj Bains has provided a false PO Box that, in fact, is associated to Jeffrey and Daphney Nixon. (As this is a PO Box, it is impossible to definitively identify the owner of a PO Box, this information was obtained through a Google Search of the address.)

    Order Undeliverable Order to Show Cause
    Order Undeliverable Envelope

  • Better Business Bureau

    August 31, 2016

    The Better Business Bureau added Government Actions against Raj Bains regarding his Suspension. It should also be noted, Raj Bains never updated his address with the BBB as he has not been at the address they list (10024 SE 240th St Ste 119, Kent, WA 98031) for many years.

    Law Offices of Raj Bains PSC BBB Screenshot
    Law Offices of Raj Bains PSC BBB Page

  • ORDER OF INDEFINITE SUSPENSION

    September 2, 2016

    Due to the failure of Raj Bains to maintain an accurate address and/or due to his lack of response to the Order to Show Cause sent to him, the US District Court, Eastern District of the State of Washington suspended Raj Bains Indefinitely from the practice of Law in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington. (Cause Number 2:16-mc-00028)

    Order of Suspension

  • ORDER OF SUSPENSION

    September 7, 2016

    Due to the failure of Raj Bains to maintain an accurate address and/or due to his lack of response to the Order to Show Cause sent to him, the US District Court, Western District of the State of Washington suspended Raj Bains Indefinitely from the practice of Law in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington. (Cause Number 2:16-rd-00068)

    Order of Suspension

  • REINSTATED BY WSBA

    October 31, 2016

    Raj Bains was automatically reinstated as an active attorney at the end of the 3-month term

All documents provided are in accordance with Agreed Final Order in King County Case 14-2-32854-1 KNT and Washington State Court Rule ELC 3.4(a):
Disclosure of Information. Except as prohibited by rule 3.2(e), court order, or other law, the grievant, respondent lawyer, or any witness may disclose any information in their possession regarding a disciplinary matter.