I've spent 13+ years building legal operations infrastructure at scale. I started as a patent paralegal managing global patent operations for high-tech clients like Google, then moved to Amazon Lab126 where I managed a 1200+ patent portfolio and oversaw 10+ outside counsel law firms—conducting performance reviews and optimizing legal spend.
From there, I transitioned into legal operations at Apple and Okta, where I specialized in AI governance—integrating AI into compliance frameworks, developing governance playbooks, and creating cross-functional decision structures that enabled innovation without sacrificing integrity.
Now, as Founder and CEO of Ciph Lab, I'm bringing that same expertise directly to organizations ready to build Intelligence Resources™—the standalone function that ensures AI readiness is treated as a strategic priority, not an ad-hoc experiment.
My approach is practical, not theoretical. I build governance systems that move at the speed of business—architecting decision frameworks, designing approval workflows, and embedding oversight mechanisms that enable your teams to innovate responsibly.
Recommendations from leaders I've worked with across legal operations, AI governance, and enterprise partnerships.
"I highly recommend Juanita Alvarez, who was an outstanding student in my AI for Management course this fall. Juanita demonstrated exceptional strategic thinking, consistently translating complex AI frameworks into actionable, executive-ready governance strategies while integrating ethical considerations as competitive advantages rather than constraints. Her entrepreneurial vision was evident in how she bridged academic rigor with real-world application through her venture, Ciph Lab, showcasing a rare ability to operate at the intersection of theory and practice."
"Juanita supported my team for less than a year, but accomplished a great deal while she was here. One of the projects she led was an LLM pilot for our team. Her vision for the project and deep experience in this area were evident from day one, transforming a theoretical project into a high-value reality. Juanita is uniquely skilled at AI-enabled business solutions and had a positive impact on the team. She is strategic, collaborative, and future-focused and is someone I would highly recommend."
"I was fortunate to work closely with Nita during the many years our law firm partnered with her in-house patent group. Nita managed many aspects of this relationship with both incredible skill and remarkable grace—a rare and valuable combination. First, she excels at creating and maintaining relationships, providing the solid foundation on which everything else rests. Next, she communicates expectations clearly, while also identifying how those expectations are being met and where improvements can be made. Finally, she delivers this feedback with clarity and in a constructive manner that consistently leads to excellent outcomes and strengthens the underlying relationship. I wholeheartedly endorse Nita—her skill set, her approach, and the positive impact she brings to every collaboration."
Choose the engagement model that fits your organization's timeline, budget, and transformation goals.
Fixed-scope engagement to implement specific components of Intelligence Resources™. Ideal for organizations with clear governance gaps and a defined timeline.
Ongoing executive leadership to build and operationalize the Intelligence Resources™ function. Perfect for scaling organizations that need consistent governance oversight.
Tailored support for unique organizational needs—mergers, rapid scaling, regulatory response, or complex multi-year transformation initiatives.
Comprehensive implementation support designed to embed Intelligence Resources™ into your organization's DNA.
Tell me about your AI governance needs and I'll get back to you within 24 hours