Disappointing Experience with Joseph Lento and Student Discipline Defense
I had a very negative, unethical, and poor experience with Mr. Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm (now LLF National Law Firm, which manages Student Discipline Defense). I retained and paid Lento Law Firm/LLF National Law Firm for a total of $20,000 for their services in both a University matter and a legal matter in Washington DC. They charge flat, non-refundable fees, which is not allowed under the DC Rules of Professional Conduct. For both matters, I was assigned Attorney Thomas M. Terrill and Attorney Terrell A. Ratliff, both of whom were *never* licensed to practice law in DC. Mr. Terrill did not deliver any results for me other than advising me to not do anything. He also was advising me under my school's Title IX policy, but my matter did not even fall under that policy. Mr. Ratliff presents another very disappointing experience: he assured me he would be on my case and represent me in court. But, Terrell Ratliff missed three DC court dates for me in September, October, and November. Mr. Ratliff also failed to respond to any of my texts, calls, and emails asking for a status on when he can appear for me in court. When Mr. Ratliff failed to reply, I reached out to two Community Specialists at the Lento Law Group: Stephanie Morales and Angelita "Angie" Camacho Adames. Stephanie and Angie both told me they would keep me updated; Angie even told me on the phone "not to appear in court" for my next date, which is entirely unethical advice since she is not a licensed attorney, and I would have faced penalties by the court if I failed to appear. After numerous emails being left unanswered, I finally had a conference call with Joseph D. Lento, Tom Terrill, and Terrell Ratliff. John E. Groff, Jr., the "Firm Administrator" who is not a licensed attorney in the United States, was also present in this call. Mr. Groff stated the Lento Law Firm will "provide a statement [to the court]," in addition to promising he would "reach out tonight to an organization that I belong to that may be able to give us some assistance." Even though he promised he would send me an email with a statement for the court and an update on the status of my case, John Groff failed to follow up on his promise and remained unresponsive to my emails asking for a follow-up. I showed up to court having to tell my judge that the Lento Law Firm and Mr. Terrell Ratliff once again have failed at entering their appearance with no explanation as to why.
What I write is a genuine review backed by recordings of phone calls, numerous emails (and lack of replies), and text messages. None of my statements contain false allegations, nor is it my intention to harass and defame Mr. Lento and/or his firm Lento Law Firm/LLF National Law Firm. Rather, what I write here on Trustpilot is an accurate account of my experience with Mr. Lento and his firm that is fully supported by evidence I have. I respectfully ask Mr. Lento to provide a professional and thorough response to my review for all to see, rather than privately threaten legal action against me (a young college student).
Some things I wish I could have done differently during this process is conduct better research on who I retain for legal services, such as seeing which states attorneys are barred in, and if they have any current and/or previous disciplinary history with their State Bar. What was very concerning to me was to learn that Joseph D. Lento was suspended from the practice of law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and had his privilege to practice law revoked in Virginia. I never knew that Mr. Lento was never licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia, otherwise I would have hired someone else.