U.S. District Judge Richard Mark Gergel issued the order on April 16, 2026, following a hearing held the previous day. The hearing addressed Attorney Michael Whitsitt's motion to be relieved as counsel in the litigation.
During the April 15 hearing, Judge Gergel received testimony from the plaintiff, William Barnes, Mr. Whitsitt, Ms. Myesha Harrell, and Mr. Joseph Lento. Mr. Lento testified under oath that he would return the $15,000 retainer fee paid to the Lento Law Group within ten days of the hearing.
Mr. Lento agreed to certify compliance with this refund by filing a sworn statement with the Court. The order specifies that once the retainer is fully refunded, the plaintiff will have 30 days to obtain replacement counsel and have that attorney enter an appearance.
The order notes that Mr. Whitsitt's motion to withdraw remains under advisement. If Mr. Lento fails to fully refund the retainer fee within ten days of April 15, 2026, the plaintiff is directed to promptly notify the Court.
The case, docketed as 2:25-cv-13080, involves plaintiff William Barnes suing Charleston Law School and other defendants. The court did not issue a ruling on the merits of the underlying dispute in this order, which focused solely on the representation and fee refund issues.