On Friday, November 1, 2024, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania suspended attorney Mary Elizabeth Lenti from the practice of law for three months. This decision came after Lenti failed to respond to a Notice and Order requesting her reasons against the imposition of reciprocal discipline related to her ongoing legal troubles in New Jersey.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Mary Elizabeth Lenti,” with case no. 86DB 2024.
Lenti, who has been under scrutiny for her professional conduct, was previously suspended by the Supreme Court of New Jersey on September 24, 2024. This suspension was for an additional three months, following an earlier three-month suspension that began on July 3, 2024. The New Jersey suspension was a result of violations of multiple New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct (RPCs), specifically concerning her negligent representation of a client in a probate matter.
According to the findings from the New Jersey Disciplinary Review Board (DRB), Lenti had failed to take meaningful action in her representation of Kathleen Babula, who had retained her in May 2019 to contest the probate of her brother’s will. The DRB concluded that Lenti’s inaction included missing crucial court filings and hearings, not discussing important legal implications with her client, and failing to respond to a grievance filed against her. This pattern of neglect led to the dismissal of Babula’s caveat and the imposition of counsel fees from the estate.
The DRB’s findings highlighted Lenti’s alarming pattern of misconduct, which included prior disciplinary actions, such as a censure in April 2022. The Supreme Court of New Jersey accepted the DRB’s recommendation for the consecutive suspension and ordered that upon her reinstatement, Lenti must practice under supervision for one year.
The recent suspension by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court reflects the seriousness of Lenti’s professional misconduct and her failure to address the disciplinary actions taken against her in New Jersey.
The Disposition states:
“AND NOW, this 1st day of November 2024, having failed to respond to a Notice and Order directing her to provide reasons against the imposition of reciprocal discipline, Mary Elizabeth Lenti is suspended from the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a period of three months. She shall comply with the provisions of Pa.R.D.E. 217.”
According to avvo.com, Ms. Lenti is a lawyer in Mount Holly, New Jersey. She acquired her law license in Pennsylvania in 2011.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
