What do you get when you combine an unhealthy obsession with lists, a passion for writing, and a lifetime commitment to learning?
My name is Johnathan. I was born and raised in New Jersey. I am from the Taylor Ham portion of the state. I was never any good at sports, but I always did like to write. I started with fiction, then moved to poetry. I recognized words have great weight. Determined to make an even greater impact with my words, I went to law school.
After witnessing my dad run his pizzerias and managing an artisan bakery myself, I developed a strong conviction that everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in their workplace. Every worker is entitled to be treated with dignity. Hence, I went to law school aspiring to practice employment law.
My prayers were answered during my 2L year. While I was still a law student, I joined up with a firm who earned its gunslinging reputation by suing bad (discriminatory) bosses and cleaning out their coffers.
Upon graduation, I made a home there as a practicing attorney. To date, I am admitted to practice law in the State of New Jersey and in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
When I worked for New Jersey’s paramount plaintiff-side employment litigation firm, I managed a heavy caseload and litigated complex issues under the state’s anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation laws.
Specifically, I represented aggrieved plaintiffs in discrimination (religion, race, disability, gender, etc.), sexual harassment, retaliation, and whistleblower cases. I drafted a ton, from complaints to mediation statements to summary judgment motions, engaged in oral argument before the court, and conducted novel legal research in civil rights law and employment law. I proudly shepherded high-value cases to resolution for my clients.
How did you go from legal practice to legal education?
My passion for education in the law harkens back to my role as an educator and graduate assistant with Seton Hall Law School’s Summer Institute for Pre-Legal Studies, where I instructed aspiring law students sponsored by New Jersey’s Educational Opportunity Fund in topics including contract law, criminal law, oral advocacy, and other substantive legal topics.
While working for Pre-Legal, I engaged in formal group instruction, led study groups, and tutored students one-on-one. I also spearheaded the development of review curriculum and taught students how to write IRAC responses. The Pre-Legal Program graciously recognized me for my ability to connect with students and drive engagement through instruction, and made me responsible for training and supervising incoming Graduate Assistants.
I served with the Pre-Legal Program for three years, and have since returned to lecture students on the fundamentals of anti-discrimination law and at-will employment in the State of New Jersey.
My experience working with aspiring law students was formative, and, to my surprise, incredibly relevant to my job as an employment litigator. As an attorney, I had to break down complex topics into plain English for clients, clerks, and colleagues alike. I use the same muscle while teaching.
I pride myself on my ability to have counseled my clients through every step of the litigation process and to have explained law and procedure in a clear and digestible manner. Educating my clients and workshopping legal issues with my colleagues were some of my favorite aspects of employment litigation.
I wanted to do more of that. We need more of that — of educating others about the law in plain English. Hence, Lex Sans Latin was born. Read more about our mission here.
What is your approach to tutoring?
My teaching style is conversational, but focused. When appropriate, I integrate multimedia, including film clips, poetry, articles, and music to foster discussion and learning. My students have described me as energetic and patient.
I believe effective instruction is a result of clarity of communication, depth of knowledge, and the ability to connect with students. Those are qualities I have cultivated through experience.
In sum, I am an individual with years of experience practicing and teaching the law. I am proud to offer high-level academic instruction to help students to excel. My goal is to teach you not just what the law is, but how to think, write, and reason the way effective lawyers do.
Do you have a law degree?
I earned my J.D. from Seton Hall Law School in May of 2023. Prior to that, I studied Political Science and Philosophy at Seton Hall University, where I graduated magna cum laude (forgive me for using Latin) with two Bachelor of Arts degrees, and as a member of the University Honors Program.
You won’t find any pay-to-certify online teaching certs to my name. I’ve taught cohorts of students and successfully completed law school myself. My students don’t seem to mind.
I encourage any prospective students to read my students’ testimonials below to get a sense of my style. I would love to work with you. If you are a law student or seeking to go to law school, I encourage you to read more about our tutoring services.
Pre-Legal Student Testimonials
Below are voluntary testimonials from my former Pre-Legal students.
“Johnathan has an exceptional ability to distill complex legal theory and analysis into clear, foundational concepts. What distinguishes him most is his rare capacity for intellectual empathy. He had the gift of seeing the material through the eyes of a struggling student, enabling him to tailor his instruction with remarkable precision. I personally benefited from this when, after receiving a failing grade on a critical midterm, I found myself devastated and discouraged. Mr. Azar, through tireless evenings of review and encouragement, helped me not only understand where I had gone wrong, but also how to rebuild my approach. Thanks to his guidance, I ultimately became one of the top scorers on the final exam. His commitment to continual learning and his willingness to invest deeply in his students’ success are testaments to his character and teaching philosophy.” – S.H.
“Johnathan’s calm and steady demeanor created a learning environment that felt welcoming and low-pressure, which was especially helpful during times when the material felt overwhelming…He consistently demonstrated a natural ability to take dense, difficult concepts and break them into smaller, more digestible parts. His explanations were always clear and thoughtful, often using examples or analogies that made complex topics click. He was also incredibly patient, never rushing through a question and always taking time to make sure we genuinely understood before moving on. What stood out most was his ability to engage both me and my peers in a way that made everyone feel comfortable contributing and participating. Seton Hall’s Pre-Legal program was an extremely rigorous, intensive, and demanding experience, and at times often felt overwhelming. However, Johnathan’s presence truly elevated the environment, transforming a high-pressure setting into one that felt more supportive and manageable. Johnathan had a lasting impact on my learning experience and was instrumental in my ability to succeed in such a demanding program.” – C.W.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have had Jonathan as both my tutor and mentor. His calm and soft-spoken nature made every session a comfortable space to learn and grow. What truly sets him apart is his exceptional teaching style—he has a remarkable talent for breaking down complex legal concepts into clear, simple explanations that are easy to understand and apply. Whether we were discussing case law, legal cases, or preparing for exams, he always took the time to ensure I fully grasped the material. His structured yet flexible approach to tutoring helped me build both confidence and clarity in my understanding of the law. I genuinely appreciate his patience, dedication, and the thoughtful way he guided me through challenging topics.” – Y.S.
“…Johnathan devoted hours into helping all of us break down, understand and digest all of the complex readings we were assigned. Johnathan’s ability to explain all the cases we studied into such simple terms helped my peers and I show up to class and be able to respond to cold calls and participate in class. His support was key in all of us making through the long class days that were followed by hours’ worth of readings right after. Sometimes Johnathan would help us with our readings at 10pm or 11pm, even after he himself had a long day in the program. After the culmination of the program, Johnathan has been extremely responsive and helpful when I have reached out for professional help with a resume or a cover letter. He has provided feedback and suggestions that have been extremely useful. As a first-generation student, I can confidently say that knowing Johnathan has helped me navigate the complexities of legal academia as well as professional legal settings.” – D.B.
“During my time at the Seton Hall Summer Institute for Pre-Legal Studies, Johnathan Azar…played a pivotal role in my academic development and my journey to law school. His teaching skills were exceptional, particularly his ability to break down complex legal concepts into digestible information for new students. He always ensured that we understood the material and made all students comfortable asking questions and for further explanations. Beyond his teaching, Johnathan is a fantastic mentor, always approachable and willing to offer guidance on both academic and career-related matters. His support and dedication to his students made a significant impact on my experience at the institute. Long after my time at the Pre-Legal program, Johnathan still provides me with mentorship and guidance as I applied and began law school. Johnathan is one of the most caring and understanding instructors I have ever had, and any student would be lucky to have him.” – A.S.
Private Tutoring Testimonials
Below are voluntary testimonials from my private tutoring students.
“Johnathan Azar is an amazing tutor who makes learning fun, engaging, and easy to understand. He takes extra time to create [slide presentations] that are not only educational but also entertaining, using pop culture, movie, and TV references to make lessons relatable and interesting. What makes Johnathan truly special is how much he cares about his students as people. He takes time to ask about your mental health, your interests, and your goals because he genuinely wants you to succeed both in school and in life. Whether you’re struggling with law school or just feeling overwhelmed, he’s always there to listen and help.
He sets realistic goals, creates personalized worksheets and study materials, and always makes sure you understand the content fully. He’s also incredibly flexible with scheduling, even working around my busy days of classes to fit in an hour or more of tutoring. Johnathan isn’t just a tutor, he’s a mentor, a motivator, and a true supporter. I’ve had many tutors over the years, but he’s a hidden gem. I’m proud and grateful to work with him and to have someone who truly wants me to succeed in every way.” – G.C. (1L student)
“Helpful and kind tutor! Johnathan taught in a way that was very easy to understand and he also made sure to never move on from a topic until I fully grasped it. His teaching style is very helpful with applying topics to the real-world and exam questions. I would definitely recommend!” – A.O. (undergraduate student, Course: Criminal Law and Torts)
“Johnathan was very knowledgeable about the course material and helped me understand the material before the midterms. He was knowledgeable, patient, and very flexible with timing. I highly recommend Johnathan’s service.” – R.D. (1L student)
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Disclaimer: All content on Lex Sans Latin is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice. Nothing on this site creates an attorney–client relationship. If you need legal advice, please consult an attorney.
This blog may include quotations or excerpts from judicial opinions, statutes, scholarly articles, books, and other primary or secondary sources. Such materials are used for purposes of commentary, criticism, teaching, scholarship, and research in accordance with the fair use doctrine under U.S. copyright law (17 U.S.C. § 107). All cited materials are attributed to their original sources to the extent reasonably possible.
Any tutoring or instructional services offered are educational in nature and are not a substitute for legal advice or legal representation.