Julie Merritt Pacaro

Julie Merritt Pacaro brings more than twenty-five years of legal experience advising employers on employment law, litigation, and business compliance matters. Her practice centers on defending organizations in complex disputes before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, while guiding employers through strategic decision-making that reduces risk and supports long-term operational stability.

Julie began her academic training at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, earning a B.A. in 1988, cum laude, with honors including Dean’s List, Cornell Tradition Scholar, and a Senior Honors Thesis. She later completed her J.D. in 1994 at Pace University School of Law, White Plains, New York, magna cum laude, graduating 4th in class, with Book Awards in Legislation & Contracts.

Julie has extensive litigation experience representing employers in high-stakes matters involving wage and hour laws, discrimination claims, disability accommodations, and regulatory enforcement. She has defended multi-employer actions, collective and class proceedings, and complex agency investigations, frequently achieving favorable resolutions that protect organizational interests while limiting financial and operational exposure.

Julie regularly advises business owners, executives, and human resource professionals throughout the hiring and employment process. Her guidance covers employment agreements, restrictive covenants, compliance training, immigration-related documentation, workplace safety standards, and proactive policy development designed to address harassment, retaliation, wage practices, and evolving regulatory obligations across diverse industries.

Julie also assists employers when employment relationships end, offering counsel on terminations, layoffs, severance agreements, and enforcement of non-compete and non-solicitation obligations. She advises on unemployment compensation, protection of confidential information, compensation upon separation, and dispute avoidance strategies that help organizations manage transitions with consistency and legal precision.

Julie supplements her practice by delivering seminars and training programs on employment law compliance, OSHA matters, discrimination prevention, retaliation, and wage and hour requirements. She has authored articles addressing OSHA inspections, e-discovery, and emerging employment law issues, including serving as the author of the Health and Safety Law chapter in the Pennsylvania Human Resource Manual.

Julie Merritt Pacaro is admitted to the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bars, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, and multiple U.S. District Courts. Drawing on experience as both outside and in-house counsel, she delivers practical, business-focused legal solutions that help employers proactively manage risk and respond effectively to workplace challenges.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Semanoff Ormsby Greenberg & Torchia, LLC
• Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Member, New Jersey State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section

Licensed State

• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey

Education

• Pace University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Cornell University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges