Manchanda Law Office PLLC was established in 2002 in New York City’s Financial District, where it operated for over two decades before its principal attorney, Rahul Dev Manchanda, was disbarred by the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department on November 21, 2024.

Overview

Manchanda Law Office PLLC was a law firm based in Manhattan, New York, with offices at 30 Wall Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10005. The firm was founded by Rahul Dev Manchanda following his admission to the New York State Bar in March 2002. Over its operational period, the firm handled matters across multiple practice areas, representing individual and corporate clients in immigration law, criminal defense, family law, and civil matters.

The firm operated under several related names and web presences, including manchanda-realestate.com, which reflected a real estate-focused practice offering. The firm’s general contact number was (212) 968-8600, with a toll-free number of (855) 207-7660.

Important Notice: As of November 21, 2024, principal attorney Rahul Dev Manchanda has been disbarred by the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department. Under the court’s order, he is prohibited from practicing law in any form, appearing as an attorney before any court, giving legal opinions or advice, or holding himself out as an attorney. Individuals seeking legal representation should verify the current status of any attorney before retaining counsel. The New York State Bar’s attorney search tool at www.nysba.org provides current information on attorney licensure status.

Attorney Background

Rahul Dev Manchanda was admitted to the practice of law in New York by the Second Judicial Department on March 13, 2002. Prior to establishing his own firm, he worked at one of the largest law firms in Manhattan, where he focused on asbestos litigation. He also worked at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) in Vienna, Austria, where he was exposed to international trade law, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution. He subsequently worked for a multinational law firm in Paris, France, focusing on international arbitration and the enforcement of foreign arbitration awards.

Manchanda taught Immigration Law at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice for the City University of New York. He was previously a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), serving on committees including the Congressional/Advocacy Committee, the Department of Labor Committee, and the Executive Office for Immigration Review/District Counsel/Political Asylum Committee.

Disbarment

In November 2024, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department issued a disbarment order against Rahul Dev Manchanda. The Attorney Grievance Committee initiated its investigation after Manchanda filed complaints in 2021 that contained racist, antisemitic, and otherwise offensive language. The court’s subsequent review of his legal filings identified a pattern of similar conduct over an extended period.

The court found violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct, including rules governing conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice and conduct that adversely reflects on fitness to practice law, as well as unauthorized disclosure of confidential client information. In its decision, the court characterized the conduct as “simply shocking and outrageous,” noting that words failed to capture the severity and extent of the misconduct. The court order prohibits Manchanda from practicing law in any form, appearing as counsel before any court or tribunal, providing legal opinions, or representing himself as an attorney.

The disbarment followed three prior admonitions by the Attorney Grievance Committee for separate incidents of professional misconduct. Manchanda has challenged the disbarment through subsequent legal proceedings.

Historical Practice Areas

During the period the firm operated, its publicly listed practice areas included immigration law, criminal defense, family and divorce law, DUI defense, and civil matters. The firm’s real estate-focused website, manchanda-realestate.com, reflected a landlord-tenant and real estate component to the practice. According to available sources, the firm represented clients from the United States and internationally across these areas during its operational years.

Location

The firm was located at 30 Wall Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10005, in Manhattan’s Financial District. Additional office locations were listed in various directories.

Current Status

Based on publicly available court records, the principal attorney of this firm was disbarred as of November 21, 2024. The current operational status of the firm is not publicly confirmed. Individuals who have active matters with this firm or who are seeking legal assistance in landlord-tenant, real estate, or related matters should contact the New York State Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service for assistance finding qualified, currently licensed counsel.

The New York State Bar Association’s attorney search: www.nysba.org
The New York Attorney Grievance Committee: www.nycourts.gov/courts/ad1/agc.shtml

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rahul Manchanda still practicing law in New York?
No. As of November 21, 2024, Rahul Dev Manchanda was disbarred by the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department. He is prohibited from practicing law in any form, appearing as counsel, or providing legal advice. Current bar status can be verified through the New York State court system’s attorney registration records.

What happened to Manchanda Law Office PLLC?
The firm’s principal attorney was disbarred in November 2024. The current operational status of the entity is not publicly confirmed. Former clients with active matters should seek new representation from a currently licensed attorney.

Where can I find a licensed landlord-tenant or real estate attorney in New York?
The New York State Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service at www.nysba.org. The New York City Bar Association also maintains referral resources at www.nycbar.org.

What is the court’s disbarment order based on?
The disbarment was based on findings of misconduct including use of racist, antisemitic, homophobic, and misogynistic language in legal filings and complaints; disclosure of confidential client information; and prior admonitions for separate disciplinary matters. The court cited violations of Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(d), 8.4(h), and 1.6(a).

Closing

Manchanda Law Office PLLC operated in New York’s Financial District for over two decades before the disbarment of its principal attorney in November 2024 brought its practice to a formal close. Individuals who had matters with the firm or who need legal representation in landlord-tenant, real estate, or related areas in New York City should consult the New York State Bar Association or New York City Bar Association for referrals to currently licensed attorneys.