Wendy Johnson Lario ’92

Seton Hall Law is proud to present Wendy Johnson Lario '92 with the Distinguished Graduate Award at the 2022 Alumni Gala on May 6

The Distinguished Graduate Award recognizes Seton Hall Law graduates who set themselves apart by making significant contributions to the mission of Seton Hall Law and who is a leader in the legal community.

Dean Kathleen Boozang shares, "Wendy represents the consummate loyalty of the Seton Hall Law family - her dad and daughter both attended Seton Hall Law. But Lario loyalty isn't just about showing up. Wendy's roles as Chair of the Law School's Board of Visitors as well as a founder of the Women's Leadership Committee have been instrumental in Seton Hall Law re-engaging a broader swathe of our alumni, particularly women. When I was named dean, Wendy was a strong advocate of my using my platform as the third female dean of Seton Hall Law to engage the leaders of our profession to advance the success of women and attorneys from diverse backgrounds. Seton Hall Law has benefited greatly from the engagement of the Johnson/Lario/Caine family.  I look forward to the Gala celebration of Wendy with the many of our alumni impacted by her work."  

Wendy Johnson Lario currently serves as Shareholder, Chair of the New Jersey Labor and Employment Practice group, and Co-Chair of the Employment Litigation and Trials group at Greenberg Traurig. She represents employers in litigation involving claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination and whistleblowing, among others. Wendy also provides advice and training to management and in-house counsel on employment issues.
 
Wendy is a leader in her field and often lectures and conducts seminars and training sessions concerning numerous employment law issues, including anti-discrimination laws, wrongful discharge, sexual and other harassment, and diversity training.
 
Wendy has fond memories of her Seton Hall Law days juggling law school and motherhood. She most notably remembers, in addition to getting food from Ralph's (trailer) café, bringing her toddler daughter to class when there was a gap in day care. Wendy and daughter Courtney attended Evidence sitting in the back with a bag of Cheerios and crayons for Courtney, while Wendy listened to the lecture. But the classes were not lost on Courteney, who received her Seton Hall Law degree in 2014. 

At the time Wendy graduated Seton Hall Law thirty years ago, she remembers the paucity of female attorney mentors and even recounts having to travel down to the basement of old court houses to find the ladies' room. Toward that end, Wendy and her husband, Michael, have created a Women's Leadership Initiatives Support Fund and the Johnson Lario Family Endowed Scholarship at Seton Hall Law. They seek to ensure other women and those unable to afford law school can pursue careers in the law and realize their full potential. And of course, the Women's Leadership Committee at Seton Hall Law, of which Wendy is a founder, aims to develop an intergenerational network of alumnae, women lawyers, and allies.  

Wendy says that without Seton Hall Law, her life would be entirely different. Her father graduated in 1961 and her daughter and son-in-law in 2014. She "will always be dedicated to Seton Hall Law and available to help in any way [she] "an, to make it the best Law School and accessible to all students who wish to attend."