Judge dismisses ex-client's libel suit against Lento Law, citing protected speech

A federal judge threw out Lento Law's defamation claim against former client Kris Emmanuel Estrada, ruling his online reviews were protected opinions.

Judge Mia Roberts Perez ruled that the online criticisms posted by former client Kris Emmanuel Estrada against Lento Law Group PC and Lento Law Firm could not support a defamation claim. Estrada's reviews, which described missed court dates, poor communication, and alleged unethical conduct, were deemed either factual, opinion, or non-defamatory. Consequently, the court dismissed Lento Law's lawsuit and ordered the firm to pay Estrada's legal costs under Pennsylvania's Uniform Public Expression Protection Act.

In her opinion, Perez detailed Joseph D. Lento's multiple suspensions across several states, but clarified that his disciplinary history was irrelevant to the defamation analysis. The case adds to a series of similar actions Lento Law has pursued, yet this particular suit was rejected on free-speech grounds. Estrada's counsel, Seth A. Goldberg, will seek appellate review, while Lento Law's attorney Paul Batista announced plans to appeal. The ruling underscores the strength of anti-SLAPP protections for online consumer reviews of legal services.