Welcome to the latest installment in our ongoing series of getting to know the DeepJudge team.
Meet Jacqueline Johansen, SVP of Legal at DeepJudge. Jacqueline, also known as “JJ”, brings a strong track record in commercial and tech law, most recently as Assistant General Counsel at Thomson Reuters, where she led key initiatives within the Customers & Commercials team. Before that, she was lead Corporate Counsel at Casetext, playing a central role in its legal operations up to its acquisition. JJ has also advised a wide range of companies — from fintech and crypto startups to SaaS and cloud providers — through her own legal practice. Her depth of experience and practical approach make her an incredible addition to our team.
JJ answered some questions for us, let’s see what she has to say.
What is your favorite part of working with the team at DeepJudge?
It’s rare to be part of a team where everyone is not only deeply skilled but also genuinely collaborative. At DeepJudge, there’s a shared commitment to pushing the boundaries—whether it’s technical, legal, or conceptual—and doing so together. That mix of high standards and mutual respect creates a kind of momentum that’s hard to find and incredibly rewarding to experience.
What is a surprising or fun fact that people might not know about you?
At one point, I owned several tarantulas. My favorite was a Chilean Rose, which has delicate pink hues. I also had a Cobalt Blue, which was stunning in the way only something mildly terrifying can be. They were beautiful and unexpectedly meditative to watch.
When you’re not working what do you do to unwind?
Long runs, especially the kind where you forget you’re running. I love being deep in the woods with my dogs—no notifications, no expectations, just trails. I also play the piano—less as a performance and more as a way to slow down and pay attention to something outside of words and screens.
What most interests you about the legal/technology / AI industry? What has surprised you the most about it?
I’m drawn to the broader question of how we integrate AI into domains that rely on human expertise. Across industries—not just legal—there’s a growing need to balance the efficiency and scale AI offers with the judgment, empathy, and context that only people bring. What interests me is how we design and deploy these tools in ways that complement human strengths rather than flatten them, recognizing that the impact of AI is as much cultural and ethical as it is technical.
What advice would you offer to partners and other professionals at law firms about integrating new technologies into their practice?
Start with the client. The best legal tech doesn’t disrupt for the sake of disruption—it supports lawyers in serving clients better. That said, don’t be afraid to experiment. Technology should be introduced mindfully, but also with enough courage to imagine how things could be better.