Terrell A. Ratliff, Esq. is the co-founder and managing partner of Ratliff Jackson LLP, a boutique litigation firm focused on student defense, professional license defense, and high-stakes institutional proceedings throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and nationwide.

Student defense is a central focus of his practice. He represents students facing Title IX investigations, academic misconduct allegations, disciplinary hearings, suspensions, expulsions, and code-of-conduct violations at universities, graduate schools, and boarding schools. As a member of the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA), Terrell brings a deep understanding of institutional investigative procedures and advocates for students whose educational and professional futures are at risk.

Terrell also leads the firm’s professional license defense practice, representing physicians, nurses, pharmacists, educators, social workers, mental health professionals, and other licensed practitioners facing board investigations or disciplinary actions. He works to protect clients from consequences such as license suspension, revocation, public discipline, and other career-impacting sanctions.

His approach is grounded in more than a decade of criminal defense and litigation experience in state and federal courts. He regularly handles matters involving overlapping disciplinary, civil, criminal, and licensing issues, helping clients navigate complex proceedings strategically and effectively.

Terrell earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law and is admitted to practice in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, multiple federal district courts, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

This version preserves the key credentials, practice areas, and professional background while reducing the original by roughly 70–75%.

 

Samuel D. Jackson, Esq. is a founding partner of Ratliff Jackson LLP, where he represents clients in civil litigation, funeral home litigation, family law, and complex dispute resolution matters. He is dedicated to achieving favorable outcomes through negotiation, trial advocacy, and appellate litigation.

Originally from Central Florida, Sam attended Rice University as a National Merit Scholar, studying orchestral trombone performance while also leading civil liberties initiatives through the Rice University ACLU. He earned his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law, where he served as Director of the Suspension Representation Project, edited the Fordham International Law Journal, and clerked for Irish Supreme Court Justice Adrian Hardiman.

Sam leads the firm’s funeral home litigation practice, representing families affected by funeral home negligence, misconduct, and breaches of trust. His cases include mishandled remains, wrongful burials or cremations, violations of religious burial instructions, funeral fraud, and related claims. He utilizes New Jersey’s Right of Sepulcher doctrine, consumer protection laws, and emotional distress claims to hold facilities accountable and secure compensation for grieving families.

His broader practice includes personal injury, civil rights, consumer fraud, business disputes, student and professional license defense, and family law matters involving divorce, custody, and domestic violence.

Sam is admitted to practice in New Jersey state courts, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, the District of New Jersey Bankruptcy Court, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

 

John A. Fonte, Esq. graduated from Brandeis University in 2012 with a dual B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Philosophy. John then attended Rutgers Law School on a full scholarship, served in the school’s Civil Practice Clinic, and accrued over 100 hours of pro bono work as a bankruptcy attorney, estate planner, and a civil mediator with the Camden County Superior Court. John earned his Juris Doctorate in 2016.  

Upon graduation, John served as the law clerk to the Honorable J. Christopher Gibson, J.S.C. in the Cape May County Superior Court. John made recommendations to the Judge in areas of personal injury, governmental immunity, real estate and construction law, and complex commercial litigation. Since his clerkship, John continued his focus in civil litigation as an attorney, covering matters of personal injury, labor disputes, municipal and government law, real estate transactions, and commercial contract disputes.

John is licensed to practice in the State of New Jersey and the Federal District of New Jersey.

 

Joseph Cannizzo Jr. serves Of Counsel at Ratliff Jackson LLP, where his practice focuses on personal injury litigation, general civil litigation, and trademark matters.

Joseph earned his Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law, Camden, in 2019. During law school, he participated in the Honorable Judith H. Wizmur Bankruptcy Pro Bono Project and clerked at Drinkwater & Goldstein LLP, gaining valuable experience in personal injury litigation.

Before becoming an attorney, Joseph worked for more than a decade at a geriatric care community. That experience gave him a deep understanding of the standards nursing homes and assisted living facilities must meet, and it continues to inform his commitment to holding facilities accountable in cases involving elder abuse or neglect.

Joseph also holds an LL.M. from the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he specialized in Casino Gaming Law and Regulation. While there, he authored the peer-reviewed legal treatise “Hoagies & Hot Slots: How Convenience Store Slot Parlors Could Revive Atlantic City,” published by the International Center for Gaming Regulation.

He is a member of the Alabama Bar and is admitted to several federal district courts, including districts in Alabama, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. Joseph has also worked in New Jersey real estate, clerked for state legislators, and published a poetry collection, When in Lewes.

 

Kyle A. Adams is a Litigation Associate at Ratliff Jackson LLP whose practice is defined by disciplined advocacy, strategic problem-solving, and a commitment to public service. His diverse background in military leadership, emergency response, and legal representation provides clients with a steady, solutions-focused advocate.

Kyle earned his Bachelor of Arts from Seton Hall University, where he participated in the Army ROTC program. After graduation, he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Chemical Corps and served with the New Jersey Army National Guard. In that role, he led and trained in high-stakes operational environments that demanded precision, preparation, and effective decision-making.

He later earned his Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law and was admitted to practice after passing the Pennsylvania Bar Exam. His legal approach emphasizes clear communication, strategic advocacy, and practical results tailored to each client’s goals.

A key component of Kyle’s practice is Alternative Dispute Resolution. He actively pursues mediation and negotiated settlements when they offer the most effective path forward, while remaining fully prepared to litigate when necessary to protect clients’ interests.

Outside the courtroom, Kyle remains dedicated to public service as a volunteer firefighter and Hazardous Materials Technician with the Chester County HAZMAT Team. He has also served in nonprofit leadership and veterans’ advocacy roles, reflecting his longstanding commitment to community service and civic leadership.

 

Lola Muhammad, J.D. is a Senior Education Advocate with more than 20 years of legal experience spanning contract law, transactional law, litigation, and criminal law. Throughout her career, she has remained dedicated to advancing justice, protecting individual rights, and serving those who need strong advocacy.

In recent years, Lola has focused her practice on student defense and educational advocacy, representing students at universities, graduate programs, and medical schools across the country. She assists students facing academic and disciplinary challenges, including suspensions, dismissals, reinstatement proceedings, and disputes involving academic records. Her work also includes advocating for students with disabilities to ensure they receive accommodations and protections guaranteed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Lola’s advocacy helps students overcome institutional barriers, restore their academic standing, and continue pursuing their educational and professional goals. Beyond direct representation, she educates students and families about university procedures, student rights, and available resources, empowering them to navigate complex academic systems with confidence.

Her work is driven by a commitment to educational equity, fairness, and due process. Whether advocating for individual students or helping families understand their rights, Lola remains passionate about ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed in an environment that respects their dignity, individuality, and potential.