Meet Our Experienced Attorneys at John J. Zidziunas & Associates

John J. Zidziunas, Esq.

Member

john@employmentdiscrimination.com

John has owned and operated the Firm since forming it in 2009. He concentrates his practice in all aspects of employment law litigation with a focus on sexual harassment, sex trafficking, whistleblower retaliation, Qui Tam litigation, pregnancy and disability discrimination, and all other areas of employment law and civil rights violations. John has experience in all phases of complex civil litigation, both state and federal, and has successfully tried numerous cases to a conclusion from both a plaintiff and defendant’s perspective.

From an employment defense standpoint, the Firm’s clients range from a host of different industries and businesses in New York and New Jersey. These include several New York City upscale hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs, as well New York and New Jersey based engineering firms, environmental contractors, municipal entities, apparel manufacturers, and waste management facilities. In over 15 years of representing the City of Newark handling a significantly large level of employment case files for them every year, John has not lost a single trial or appeal for the City. From a Plaintiff’s perspective, John continues to be one of the go-to lawyers for clients who are C-Suite executives and key employees in the financial, legal, real estate, and pharmaceutical industries involving complaints of discrimination and retaliation. In that regard, John has successfully tried dozens of cases to verdict, and succeeded in numerous arbitrations and obtained high value settlements for his individual clients.

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Prior to opening his own practice, Mr. Zidziunas was an associate with a large respected law firm. During that time, Mr. Zidziunas tried, arbitrated, and settled numerous cases in the areas of employment litigation, civil rights, and insurance disputes.

While in law school, John was a Member of the Moot Court Honor Society and represented Seton Hall Law’s Interscholastic Moot Court Board in a national constitutional law tournament at the University of Wisconsin, finishing as a quarterfinalist. John was a law clerk to the Honorable Barbara A. Curran, J.S.C., in the Civil Division of Hudson County, and an intern with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. Prior to attending law school, John was a corporate and securities law paralegal with Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft in New York City.

Education

• Seton Hall University School of Law, Visiting Student
• Nova Southeastern University School of Law, Juris Doctor
• University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Bachelor of Arts

Admissions

• New York
• New Jersey
• District of Columbia
• Southern District of New York
• United States District Court, District of New Jersey

Matthew Tonzola, Esq.

Associate

matt@employmentdiscrimination.com

Matt proudly joined John J. Zidziunas & Associates in June 2025 as an Associate with the Firm. His practice concentrates on employment and labor law litigation with a focus on sexual harassment, hostile work environment, overtime/wage & hour disputes, whistleblower retaliation, pregnancy/disability discrimination, race discrimination and civil rights violations. Matt brings to the table extensive experience defending New Jersey public entities and municipal clients, where he acted as a Disciplinary Hearing Officer overseeing claims for police officers and public employees, as well as conducting outside pre-litigation workplace investigations.
He has also served as the Special Hearing Officer and Board attorney for various zoning, housing, and education boards in New Jersey.
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Prior to joining the Firm, Matt gained extensive experience in personal injury and mass tort law, working for one of the highest profile personal injury law firms in the state.  After graduating from Seton Hall University School of law, Matt clerked for the Hon. Michael A. Petrolle, J.S.C. in the Essex Vicinage of the New Jersey Superior Court.  
With John J. Zidziunas & Associates, Matt represents both employers and employees in employment law disputes, ensuring they receive zealous advocacy at all stages of litigation while continually broadening Matt’s experience and expertise.

Education

• Seton Hall University School of Law, JD
• Rutgers University, BA

Admissions

• New Jersey
• U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey

Nicholas Nachtergaele, Esq.

Associate

nick@employmentdiscrimination.com

Nicholas Nachtergaele joined John J. Zidziunas & Associates as an Associate in July of 2025. His practice focuses on civil litigation, with particular experience in employment and labor law, land use and redevelopment, and municipal defense. Nicholas brings a well-rounded litigation background to the firm, having represented clients in court proceedings ranging from landlord-tenant matters to motion hearings and pre-trial conferences across New Jersey’s Courts.
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Nicholas earned his J.D. from the University of Massachusetts School of Law, graduating cum laude. During law school, he served as Treasurer of the Federalist Society and was an active member of the Environmental Law Club. He earned his B.A. in International Communications from Stockton University, where he was a Dean’s List honoree.

Education

• University of Massachusetts School of Law, JD, cum laude
• Stockton University, BA, International Communications

Admissions

• New Jersey
• U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey

Max Roseman

Associate

Max graduated from The George Washington University Law School with a specialization in business and finance law and is awaiting being sworn in. Prior to joining the firm, Max interned at the New York Attorney General’s Office in the Investor Protection Bureau and was the managing partner of a retail brand.

Angelina Sanchez, Esq.

Associate

Angelina graduated from Brooklyn Law School with a focus on intellectual property, entertainment, and sports law and is currently pending bar admission in NJ. Prior to joining the firm, she interned with LawinSport.com, the current most frequented international sports law website, as well as IPC Systems Inc. and Randy C. Schustal, Esq. on a variety of fin-tech, corporate, estate planning, family law, and contract management matters.

Barry E. Janay, Esq.

Of Counsel

Barry E. Janay, Esq. is a Manhattan based litigation attorney who represents numerous individuals and corporations in pre-litigation negotiation and in-court litigation of lawsuits. Mr. Janay handles cases throughout New York State, including all federal and state courts in New York City (Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island), Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland.

He acts as primary outside counsel for clients in fields ranging from publishing, software, retailers, consumer products, and online information businesses. Barry is of counsel to John J. Zidziunas & Associates in several New York based litigations in the areas of commercial litigation, lead poisoning litigation and employment litigation.

Education

• Golden Gate University School of Law, Juris Doctor
• Golden Gate University, Ageno School of Business, M.B.A
• Rollins College, Bachelor of Arts

Admissions

• New Jersey
• New York

Phillip E. Klein, Esq.

Of Counsel