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.
Do you have any unique traditions you carry on as a teacher?
Oh yeah. Like I mentioned above, I have a slight obsession with lists. I also really like movies. So something I’ve done since my first year of teaching is ask each of my students to recommend me a movie. I’ve catalogued each student recommendation into an ever-growing list. (Even though some recommendations scare me) I do intend to watch them all.
So there’s a good chance that, after the dust settles and we’ve gotten you through your semester, I’ll ask you for a film recommendation too.
I encourage any prospective students to see what students have said about my teaching 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.
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.