Denise Butler

About Denise Butler

Technology attorney (AI/Gen AI, data, cloud, software) with a minor in privacy law. Mom to three small humans. I do not read LinkedIn messages because there are just too many — pls email instead D••••••••@gmail.com.

Experience

1. Senior Director, Tech Legal Team Lead, Ai Practice, Ai Governance

   Johnson & Johnson

   Dec 2024 — Present · Westford, MA, US

   Strategic technology leader with deep expertise in designing and scaling enterprise-wide Artificial Intelligence programs across complex, global organizations — including China and other high risk markets.Lead the legal function responsible for evaluating, procuring, and implementing emerging technologies across the enterprise, advising senior executives on strategic technology initiatives and negotiating complex global vendor and IT agreements that support innovation while managing regulatory, privacy, and intellectual property risk.Recognized industry expert in AI, responsible for establishing and operationalizing frameworks that align innovation with regulatory, privacy, intellectual property, and e-discovery requirements. Skilled in orchestrating cross-functional teams and partnering with senior executives to solve high-stakes technological, ethical, and compliance challenges.Architect of enterprise AI adoption programs, including development of standardized processes for contract evaluation, product review, risk mitigation, and platform governance. Led the design and delivery of training initiatives enabling legal and business teams worldwide to responsibly integrate AI into daily workflows.Experienced public speaker and thought leader on “demystifying AI” in the legal sector, guiding global organizations through strategic, cultural, and operational shifts necessary for AI transformation.Serves as technology lead on J&J’s Generative AI Review Board and co-leads evaluation of AI use by outside counsel—driving consistent, secure, and ethical AI practices across the enterprise and legal ecosystem.Oversee complex commercial agreements, including SaaS, licensing, reseller and channel partner, data processing, and service level agreements, ensuring alignment with business objectives and compliance with global regulatory requirements.

Education

• Boston University

  BA

  1999 — 2003

• Syracuse University College of Law

  JD, Law

  2003 — 2006