In April of 2024, the Department of Education approved New Title IX rules, which are scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2024. Our firm is closely monitoring ongoing challenges to these new rules in court, and is working hard to provide you the most up-to-date information. Click here to learn about the current state of Title IX and how we can help if you are facing accusations.
Parents in the Milwaukee metropolitan area have great hope that their children will gain valuable education in the area's premier schools. These noteworthy institutions and programs will prepare your student children to graduate and begin a business, join a top-notch company, or journey toward becoming an attorney, doctor, engineer, or teacher.
During their time in K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, and other instructive programs, students will be tested by individual projects and group assignments that grade both their academic and behavioral thresholds. However, during these formative years of adolescence, mistakes and unforeseen obstacles can derail progress in obtaining a diploma or degree.
At a time when students need encouragement and constructive support to get them realigned with their schoolwork, disciplinary boards aren't always as empathetic as parents may desire. Unfortunately, schools hand down unfair sanctions to address sometimes baseless allegations against honest students and put their goal of graduation at risk. The fast-paced grievance processes schools commonly depend on may not consider an individual's extenuating circumstances or even afford them due process. Consequently, knowing that you can retain professional help and ensure your child's path to success is fundamental.
Student defense advisor Joseph D. Lento has provided trustworthy assistance and representation for countless students of committed parents, safeguarding their child's rights against demanding disciplinary boards. He and his team at the Lento Law Firm recognize the subtleties of school disciplinary regulations and have compassion for those facing those stressful situations. As a parent, act first in defending yourself or your child by contacting Joseph D. Lento immediately. Don't let false, unfair, and unwarranted allegations disrupt your child's education.
Milwaukee Metropolitan Area
Centered in the bustling city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the metropolitan region is spread across eight counties in the southeastern portion of the state, encompassing nearly two million residents. The energetic expanse may include many savvy attorneys with years of experience arguing before judges and in front of juries in high-stakes cases. However, when they advertise that they can obtain relief for your child, it's a common mistake to believe that courtroom prowess is what you need.
Few legal professionals have the diplomacy to settle a student's misconduct troubles outside formal hearings. Joseph D. Lento and his team have spent years building relationships with officials in the Office of General Counsel (OGC) in numerous schools and those representing them from outside firms. They recognize the difference between judicial proceedings and administrative disciplinary hearings conducted by schools.
He and the Lento Law Firm are no strangers to brokering beneficial resolutions on behalf of students, nor are they to defending students in the Milwaukee metropolitan area and its suburbs. They can provide much-needed disciplinary relief in areas such as:
- Brookfield
- Burlington
- Caledonia
- Delavan
- Elkhorn
- Fort Atkinson
- Glendale
- Hartford
- Menomonee Falls
- Mount Pleasant
- Muskego
- New Berlin
- Pewaukee
- Racine
- Sussex
- Waukesha
- West Allis
- Whitewater
Parents can place their trust in Joseph D. Lento and his student defense team to dedicate themselves as worthy advocates for their child's academic future. Whether your middle school student child faces detention or you're a doctoral candidate battling progression issues, the Lento Law Firm can help you.
Milwaukee Metropolitan Area Student Concerns
Out of the hundreds of schools, universities, and education programs dotting the Milwaukee metropolitan area, each can present students with unique situations. Along with proving themselves academically, students encounter difficulties relating to classroom behavioral rules, peer interactions, and gaining the trust of teachers and other faculty and staff members. Nonetheless, unbeknownst to them, there may be barriers holding them back.
Teachers, coaches, or administration officials may have contradictory expectations for academic performance or behavior in their particular domains that leave students confused about how to focus and remain in good standing with the school. Furthermore, the multiple federal funding streams supporting K-12 programs and institutions of higher education have additional rules often buried in complex legal text seemingly unapproachable by students and their parents. Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm realize how to address these concerns to keep Milwaukee metropolitan students out of jeopardy so they can concentrate on their studies.
Milwaukee Metropolitan Area Schools
Irrespective of your grade or program level in Milwaukee metropolitan area schools, you can obtain invaluable support. Trustworthy representation is provided for students at the following colleges and universities:
- Alverno College
- Cardinal Stritch University
- Carroll University
- Concordia University Wisconsin
- Herzing University—Brookfield
- Lakeland College
- Marquette University
- Mount Mary University
- University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee
Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm's student defense team are on hand to provide a successful defense to students in graduate, professional, religious, technical, military, medical, and specialty programs across the Milwaukee metropolitan area, including:
- Medical College of Wisconsin
- Milwaukee Area Technical College
- Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design
- Milwaukee School of Engineering
- Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
- Wisconsin Lutheran College
Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm's student defense team can also effectively defend students in K-12 programs in city and county public school districts across the Milwaukee metropolitan area, such as:
- Brown Deer School District
- Cedarburg School District
- Elmbrook School District
- Grafton School District
- Greendale School District
- Germantown School District
- Franklin Public Schools
- Hamilton School District
- Kenosha School District
- Menomonee Falls School District
- Mequon-Thiensville School District
- Muskego-Norway School District
- New Berlin School District
- Pewaukee School District
- Shorewood School District
- Whitefish Bay School District
Students in private elementary and secondary schools across the Milwaukee metropolitan area can also retain the help of student defense advisor Joseph D. Lento and his team at the Lento Law Firm, including those attending:
- Atlas Preparatory Academy
- Brookfield Academy
- Cavalry Baptist School
- Christian Education Leadership Academy
- Christian Life School
- Divine Savior Holy Angels
- Eastbrook Academy
- Marquette University High School
- St. Joseph Catholic Academy
- St. John's Northwestern Academies
- The Prairie School
- Trinity Academy
- University Lake School
- University School of Milwaukee
Disciplinary Defense in the Milwaukee Metropolitan Area
Schools and educational programs can categorize misconduct slightly differently. Regardless, there are generally three types detailed in a school's code of conduct, honor code, or student handbook, which students are given during matriculation:
- Academic misconduct
- Non-academic misconduct
- Title IX and sexual misconduct
Institutions are under immense public scrutiny to maintain their reputation. The obligations from federal funding streams also mean disciplinary boards will swiftly seek out and address allegations. Sanctions can severely harm your child's future, whether it's situations involving cheating and disruptions or research misconduct and violations of quiet hours. No matter the issue, you can expect Lento and his team to defend you or your child under any circumstances, including those in the following areas.
Academic Progression Issues
Students must follow an institution's academic regulations to remain eligible for federal funding and so a school can maintain its accreditation status. Due to this, K-12 and higher education programs have stringent rules on what constitutes satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and the consequences for students if they fail to meet the minimum requirements.
For example, Carroll University outlines its minimum tolerances for cumulative grade point average (GPA), the number of credit hours taken per semester, the course completion rate, and the graduation timeframe. Primary and secondary schools like those within the Pewaukee School District also have requirements for students to progress to the next grade or graduate with a diploma.
Students who fail to achieve minimums risk disciplinary action like probation, suspension, and expulsion. Yet, schools sometimes misappropriate policies and disregard a student's extenuating circumstances. Appealing academic reproach is possible, but students don't have the negotiation tactics and experience to settle with a school's dean, principal, or academic advisor. Joseph D. Lento can represent you or your child or coach them to provide a solid argument to defeat academic discipline.
Academic Misconduct Issues
The cornerstone of any school or educational program is academic integrity. Alverno College, the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Menomonee Falls School District, and all other schools in the Milwaukee metropolitan area have codes of conduct prohibiting acts of dishonesty. These include but are not limited to:
- Cheating
- Collusion
- Computer Misuse
- Duplication
- Plagiarism
- Research misconduct
- Unauthorized collaboration
Academic dishonesty undermines the goal of teaching students. Schools rightfully punish those who undermine academic policies, but disciplinary boards may investigate and charge students with misconduct based on questionable evidence.
Students found responsible for alleged violations face the beginning slippery slope, falling toward demise. Considering disciplinary action remains on a student's permanent record, the chance of barriers to gaining admittance into educational programs is much higher. To mitigate the consequences allegations can have on your reputation and future, consult with Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm to defeat unfair academic misconduct charges.
Non-Academic Misconduct Issues
Schools are responsible for maintaining a systematic, disturbance-free academic and social setting conducive to learning. While more severe infractions involving violence, illegal substances, and the destruction of property lead to immediate suspension or expulsions, any act disrupting the learning atmosphere will garner corrective action from a school's administration.
For instance, Marquette University maintains policies prohibiting certain items and behaviors in all student housing and campus buildings. Students may land themselves in trouble if they:
- Alter dorm room architecture or decorations
- Damage college-owned furniture
- Engage in underage alcohol use
- Have pets in dormitories
- Operate a business in a dorm room or on school property
- Park in unauthorized areas
- Play loud music during quiet hours
- Smoke or vape on campus or at school-sponsored events
- Violate guest policy
Students may be punished at any level of education for unnecessary disturbances. However, school disciplinary personnel sometimes characterize students by their alleged behaviors and disregard their individuality. Unconventional actions and behaviors don't always need punishment, especially when there is a good excuse, a misunderstanding, or extenuating circumstances. Yet, unless you are focused on your child's success, evidently simplistic non-academic misconduct charges can close the door to continuing education and beginning a career. Retain premier student defense advisor Joseph D. Lento to defend yourself or your child against unsubstantiated misconduct charges.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct
Federal Title IX regulations compel schools accepting federal funding to monitor and manage sex and gender-based discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. Every institution, from primary school to graduate programs, will have a Title IX coordinator overseeing the grievance process and its investigative, hearing, and sanctioning phases.
According to the Title IX policy for the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, the following are also violations:
- Bullying
- Coercion
- Dating/domestic violence
- Hazing
- Intimidation
- Retaliation
- Stalking
- Solicitation
K-12 schools have Title IX regulations, too. While they are similar to those at colleges and universities, the process differs slightly. For example, like all primary and secondary school districts, the Brown Deer School District will follow guidelines to have optional live hearings, and parents or guardians of the parties are involved in the process. Though, Title IX regulations are constantly fluctuating. To have confidence in how to proceed if your child is caught in the Title IX grievance process, get assistance from Joseph D. Lento and the student defense team at the Lento Law Firm.
Student Defense Advisor Value Proposition
Inexperienced attorneys will typically begin their defense of your student child by pressuring them and you to pursue an expensive lawsuit against the school. Although a formal suit is a potential course of action to keep them intact with their studies, litigation is rarely required and burdensome on a student's effort to maintain their schooling. Moreover, competency in the courtroom doesn't always translate into an effective defense against school disciplinary boards.
The objective for students and their parents should be prompt, private, negotiated relief from unfair sanctions, not long-lasting legal procedures. Joseph D. Lento has repeatedly dealt with a school's OGC on behalf of the student and resolved matters outside disciplinary hearings. This keeps a student focused on their studies and gives you as a parent peace of mind. Even if your student child cannot have representation present during the grievance process, the student defense team at the Lento Law Firm can bestow you with the knowledge and methods to defend yourself against severe punishments.
When you hire student defense advisor Joseph D. Lento, you're equipped with the most exemplary school discipline representation. Call 888-535-3686 today, or visit the confidential online consultation form.
