Nestled near the border of Missouri and Illinois, the St. Louis metropolitan area encompasses schools in two states. A region of America known for producing tough people, the students that attend K-12 schools and universities tend to be similarly hardworking. Even they, though, are not perfect.
If you or your student has encountered any kind of school-related issue that has negative implications for the future, hire an attorney-advisor who specializes in student defense. Allegations of academic misconduct or bad behavior, or academic issues that mar a transcript, can be more impactful than you might realize.
The Lento Law Firm has served students in need for many years. We understand that K-12 schools and universities often consider their own interests before the student's, and you must understand this as well. Our team will seek a resolution with the school first but are never afraid to take legal action on our client's behalf.
Protect your own or your student's future, hire an attorney-advisor from the Lento Law Firm today.
St. Louis Metropolitan Area - St. Charles, Chesterfield, and Nearby Communities in Both Missouri and Illinois
The term “metro area” is not always easy to understand, especially in the Midwest, where many communities can fall between the nearest “big” cities. When we say we represent students in the St. Louis metro area, know that we cast a wide net. The list of St. Louis-proximal cities and communities that we serve include:
- St. Louis
- St. Charles
- Chesterfield
- Belleville
- Edwardsville
- Maryland Heights
- St. Peters
- Fenton
- Arnold
- Pacific
- Collinsville
- O'Fallon
- Highland
- Alton
- Wood River
- Lake St. Louis
- St. Clair
- Washington
- Hermann
- Litchfield
- Centralia
- Vandalia
Did we leave your city or community out? Not to worry, because the Lento Law Firm advocates for students nationwide.
It doesn't matter which side of the Missouri-Illinois border a student's school falls upon. As student defense attorney-advisors, we know that students in all states face similar troubles.
Whether the problem you or your student is facing involves academic difficulties, allegations of behavioral misconduct, or another issue, the services of an attorney-advisor can be invaluable. Depending on the details you provide, we may seek leniency for you or your student or may argue that the student is not responsible at all for allegations levied against them.
Every student facing discipline or academic progression issues has a reason behind their current predicament. Our team will work to gain a complete understanding of you or your student and present your story in a way that could produce a favorable reaction from the school.
The Lento Law Firm Proudly Serves Students at Schools in the St. Louis Metro Area and Surrounding Cities
There is no school beyond our firm's reach. When you need an attorney-advisor with years of experience defending students successfully, rely on the Lento Law Firm. There is no student too young or too old to be harmed by unjust allegations, discipline, or rash actions by a school.
We can negotiate for a favorable outcome to your case, and we're familiar with schools in the St. Louis metro area, including:
Colleges and Universities in the St. Louis Metro Area
Colleges and universities deal with a constantly flowing wave of students. Your or your student's school may be dealing with countless disciplinary proceedings and academic issues at any given time.
Our attorneys will ensure that a university gives your case the consideration it requires—and thinks carefully about taking any unfavorable action towards you. We are familiar, and ready to deal, with St. Louis-area colleges and universities, including:
- University of Missouri - St. Louis
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Harris-Stowe State University
- Webster University
- Saint Louis University
- Fontbonne University
- Missouri Baptist University
- Maryville University
- Lindenwood University
- St. Louis Christian College
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Logan University
- McKendree University
- Greenville University
- Blackburn College
- Principia College
- All other colleges and universities in the St. Louis metro area
University students make great personal and financial investments in their education. Our firm will work to protect that investment by keeping you or your student in good standing.
Graduate and Specialty Collegiate Programs
Graduate programs and specialty universities generally maintain their own rules and academic standards. Our firm respects these unique policies but also makes sure that all students receive the fair treatment they deserve.
We defend the rights of students attending:
- All Graduate Programs at Washington University in St. Louis
- All Graduate Programs at University of Missouri - St. Louis
- Ranken Technical College
- University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
- Stevens - The Institute of Business & Arts
- Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes - Jewish College
- St. Louis College of Health Careers
- Ponce Health Sciences University - St. Louis
- Chamberlain University College of Nursing
- American Trade School
- All other graduate and specialty programs in the St. Louis metro area
Behavioral discipline or consequences for academic underperformance can be especially devastating for graduate students. You have invested more time, and more years, into your education—this means you have more to lose.
K-12 Private Schools
If you think that a K-12 private school student will experience leniency simply because they're young, think again. There are absolutely no guarantees when it comes to school discipline. Even a child who is simply struggling academically may face life-defining consequences, and a school may not think twice about imposing those consequences.
Young people are impressionable and may be less resilient than college students. We'll work to soften the blow of any consequences your child faces, if we can't mitigate those consequences completely.
We assist students and parents of students attending:
- John Burroughs School
- Thomas Jefferson School
- MICDS - Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School
- Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School
- Saint Louis Priory School
- St. Louis University High School
- Whitfield School
- Chaminade College Preparatory School
- Visitation Academy
- Crossroads College Preparatory School
- Cor Jesu Academy
- Principia School
- Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School
- Nerinx Hall High School
- St. Joseph's Academy
- Governor French Academy
- Barat Academy
- Rosati-Kain High School
- All other K-12 private schools in the St. Louis metro area
While most students can overcome sanctions or challenges they face in high school, there is no reason to accept such challenges without a fight.
K-12 Public Schools
Students who attend public school deserve the same level of representation as private school students. The problem is, if you fail to retain such representation, you can be virtually assured that the school will not provide it for your student.
The Lento Law Firm will plead your student's case, and our firm is familiar with:
- Ladue School District
- School District of Clayton
- Kirkwood School District
- Rockwood R-VI School District
- Parkway School District
- Brentwood School District
- Webster Groves School District
- Francis Howell School District
- Pattonville R-3 School District
- Lindbergh Schools
- Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District
- All other public school districts in the St. Louis metro area
Our attorney-advisor can help your child deal with any public school district in the St. Louis metro area.
We Handle Academic and Non-Academic Student Issues
As we have successfully represented students over the years, we've seen countless stories of students in danger. No two student defense stories are exactly alike. Therefore, we've positioned ourselves to handle every situation that students and their parents bring to us, including:
Academic Progression Issues
You will be hard-pressed to find a student who didn't struggle at some point in their academic career. The likes of Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg admit to having academic difficulties.
We want to help you or your student overcome their academic woes, and that begins by reviewing your school's academic progression policies.
Washington University in St. Louis, for example, enforces both federal and faculty-set standards for minimum academic performance. A Committee on Academic Progress reviews student performance following each semester. For students who have unsatisfactory performance, the university may impose:
- First, an Academic Warning, which is “an early alert to the student and their advisors that additional support may be needed to maintain academic progress”
- Second, Academic Probation, which requires the student to complete an academic success program and return their grades to minimum standards
- Third, Academic Time Away, which requires the student to take a specific period of time away from their studies
Persistent academic issues could lead to suspension and dismissal. Most other schools, including K-12 schools and universities, may have a similar tier of escalating penalties for academic progression issues.
Regardless of where you or your child stands in the academic disciplinary process, we can help. Whether we lobby for a grade change or some other resolution, we'll seek to minimize the harm that the student is facing.
Academic Misconduct Allegations
Every school expects its students to complete coursework ethically. Most schools, including elementary schools, work hard to instill academic integrity in students.
Your or your student's school likely maintains clear expectations for what is and isn't academically acceptable from students. Saint Louis Priory School explicitly cites “cheating, lying, stealing, plagiarism, and copying of homework” as violations of its Honor Code. Other academic integrity violations at schools across the St. Louis metro area generally include:
- Using electronic devices to improve academic performance
- Sharing answers to exams
- Presenting someone else's work as their own (a form of plagiarism)
- Any other act that gives a student an unfair academic advantage or allows another student to get an unfair academic advantage
An accusation of academic misconduct can ruin a student's reputation. A St. Louis student advisor from our firm will accompany you or your student through the investigation and hearing stages, if permitted. At the very least, we can prepare and advise the at-risk student throughout the disciplinary process.
Behavioral Misconduct Allegations in the St. Louis Metro Area
Students accused of unacceptable behavior may face a bewildering disciplinary process—whether they're responsible for the alleged offense or not.
Disciplinary processes can vary significantly between schools. Chaminade College Preparatory School's handbook (p.30) makes clear that it “reserves the right to take any form of disciplinary action, including expulsion, against any behavior that violates this policy, even if not specifically stated in this handbook.”
Schools may discipline students for alleged acts of physical violence, bullying, drug or alcohol possession, or any other behavior that violates its policies. Whenever a school determines that a student has crossed its behavioral boundaries, that student should hire an attorney-advisor as soon as possible.
Title IX Allegations
Federal Title IX amendments apply to every school that receives federal aid. If you or your student face allegations of sexual- or gender-based wrongdoing, then the disciplinary process may follow guidelines set by Title IX.
St. Louis University provides a comprehensive list of its Title IX procedures, including what alleged acts fall under the purview of Title IX. The school's Title IX Coordinator may initiate an investigation into any alleged “forms of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual or gender-based stalking.”
Students and parents of students must realize that a Title IX allegation can destroy not only a student's tenure at a school, but their entire reputation. Of all the student defense issues you can face, a Title IX case is among the most serious—retain a seasoned attorney-advisor, and don't wait.
What a Student Attorney-Advisor Offers You or Your Student
Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento will provide invaluable counsel, assisting you or your student by:
- Obtaining any evidence that absolves the student of responsibility for an alleged offense
- Developing a comprehensive defense strategy
- Accompanying the student to any case-related interviews or hearings
- Handling the appeals process, if it is necessary
- Negotiating with a school's Office of General Counsel (OGC)
Being able to negotiate with the OGC is a value proposition unique to the Lento Law Firm. The OGC is the attorney for a school and may have the ability to resolve student defense issues. A “local” attorney-advisor may be unfamiliar with such negotiations.
The Lento Law Firm will seek the best resolution for the student, period. Whether this resolution comes through traditional disciplinary channels, negotiations with an OGC, or legal proceedings, it is the student's interests that come first.
Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or provide your case details online.
