Joanna M. Valencia
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Joanna M. Valencia

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Joanna Valencia, Esq., CIPP/US, AIGP, CFCM, is a Fractional General Counsel at Outside GC LLC, advising technology, cybersecurity, AI, and high-growth companies nationwide. Joanna brings more than 20 years of experience guiding CEOs, boards, and executive teams through the intersection of law, business, and technology. She has built and scaled legal functions across highly regulated industries—including SaaS, fintech, and government contracting—aligning legal strategy with commercial objectives. Joanna has negotiated enterprise SaaS agreements with Fortune 1000 clients, led multi-million-dollar M&A transactions, and embedded compliance frameworks that withstand regulatory scrutiny. She transforms legal operations into growth enablers by modernizing governance, reducing contract cycle times, and creating scalable playbooks that accelerate revenue while managing risk. Her prior leadership roles include serving as Chief Legal Officer and CHRO at NeoSystems and General Counsel at Summit 7 Systems, as well as acting as outside counsel to numerous emerging-growth companies. Earlier in her career, she trained in BigLaw with Mintz, Greenberg Traurig, and Bracewell. Joanna is admitted to practice in California, Virginia, Florida, and D.C. She holds a J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law, along with executive certificates from Harvard Business School and Cornell University. She is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US), Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP), and Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) (credential earned). A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, Joanna is recognized for delivering practical, forward-looking counsel that protects innovation and positions organizations for long-term success. She is the author of The CMMC Handbook: A Practical Guide for Contractors, MSPs, and Compliance Leaders (2025), a #1 Best Seller in Business Contracts Law and Cloud Computing, and IAPP® AIGP® Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional™ Comprehensive Study Guide.
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