If you're the victim of unwarranted discipline, it can be tempting to unleash your emotions on the school that has wronged you. Please, don't resort to a social media savaging of the liable party—we may still be able to salvage your case, and a public spat may only make matters worse.

Let the experienced team at the Lento Law Firm pursue proven paths to restoring students' rights and reputations, including:

The Appeals Process

Whether you've been accused of academic misconduct, sexual wrongdoing, or another offense that triggered discipline by your school, you generally have the right to appeal. In cases involving serious discipline—particularly suspension or dismissal—appeals are generally a guaranteed right.

Believe it or not, your school may take a formal appeal far more seriously than an unhinged, or even measured, rant on Twitter. A compelling, evidence-based argument by a respected attorney-advisor could be enough to reverse an unfavorable decision against you or at least secure a lighter sanction.

Even Harvard University, considered among the finest academic institutions in the world, considers the possibility that disciplinary boards make errors. Harvard allows students to file appeals of disciplinary rulings, and your school almost certainly allows for appeals, too.

Negotiations With Your School's Office of General Counsel (OGC)

Virtually every school in the United States keeps legal counsel on retainer. These lawyers are often referred to as the Office of General Counsel (OGC), and they advise the university on a range of matters, including but not limited to student discipline.

Herein lies the value proposition for hiring your own general counsel, an attorney-advisor seasoned in student discipline cases. The Lento Law Firm routinely negotiates directly with schools' attorneys, in some cases bypassing convoluted student discipline procedures. Often, the school's attorneys have broad power to settle disciplinary cases like yours.

While schools may publish their General Counsel's information online, like the University of Southern California does, gaining an audience with these lawyers can be more difficult. The Lento Law Firm can get valuable access to the OGC at your school and will explore this potential option for resolving your case.

Legal Action

After we've exhausted the appeals process and completed good-faith negotiations with a school's Office of General Counsel, we consider further legal measures. We will discuss with you whether a lawsuit is necessary, and it very well may be.

We don't take lawsuits lightly, though, and you shouldn't either. While legal action can be a way to resolve a student disciplinary issue, we generally consider it a last or near-to-last resort.

One thing is for certain: Retaliation measures like in-person harassment, social media slander, or even screaming at the clouds are of little use. In fact, these measures may make matters worse for you—though yelling to the Heavens might prove cathartic.

For real, actionable solutions provided by attorney-advisors who care, call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or provide your case details online.