Teresa Villa, CP
Teresa Villa, CP, is a pioneering legal technologist, ethical AI innovator, and civil rights advocate based in Gaffney, South Carolina. As the founder of JusticeTree AI™ and Villa Professional Solutions, she has transformed her lived experiences navigating systemic injustice into a survivor-led, trauma-informed legal technology ecosystem. Teresa’s work focuses on restoring transparency, safeguarding civil rights, and providing accessible legal solutions for underserved communities, bridging the gap between technology, law, and human-centered design.
With a Certified Paralegal credential from Spartanburg Community College, Teresa has built an extensive portfolio of expertise spanning AI governance, trauma-informed system design, and civil rights documentation. Her flagship platform, The Justice Engine™, generates verifiable filings, affidavits, timelines, and audits, while complementary tools such as BitOfJustice™, Notary of Justice™, and LegalFlow™ provide encrypted evidence management, trauma-informed notary workflows, and multilingual client intake. Her innovative approach ensures that ethical AI is not just theoretical but practical, accountable, and grounded in lived truth.
Beyond her technological contributions, Teresa is a passionate advocate for equity, cultural integrity, and systemic reform. She volunteers her expertise for initiatives involving civil rights, housing justice, disaster relief, and educational access, and she is committed to building tools that empower individuals to document and defend their rights. As a mother, grandmother, and survivor, Teresa combines professional rigor with lived experience, ensuring that her work protects people, honors culture, and strengthens the integrity of legal systems for generations to come.
• Certified Paralegal (CP)
• ABA CLE Certificate of Compliance Preparation for Disaster
• Spartanburg Community College – Certified Paralegal, Legal Studies, General
• Graduated with National Honors
• Civil Rights, Social Action, Civic Engagement, Crime & Legal Related, Community Improvement, Disaster & Humanitarian Relief, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Education, Housing & Shelter, Human Rights, Public Safety & Disaster Preparedness
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, lived experience, and a commitment to justice. Navigating systemic injustice firsthand—through wrongful evictions, SSDI garnishment errors, and administrative failures—has shaped my perspective and inspired me to build survivor-led, trauma-informed legal technology. My ability to transform personal challenges into practical, ethical solutions has been central to my professional achievements.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never underestimate the power of your lived experience. Bring your whole perspective to the table, embrace innovation, and use your voice to create systems that protect and empower others. You don’t need to follow traditional paths to make an impact—your unique journey is your greatest asset.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is ensuring that AI and legal technology are designed ethically and inclusively, reflecting the needs of the people they serve rather than institutional priorities. At the same time, there is a significant opportunity to use trauma-informed, survivor-led technology to restore trust, transparency, and accountability in legal and administrative systems.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, transparency, cultural respect, and empowerment are central to both my professional and personal life. I prioritize building systems that honor truth, protect human rights, and ensure that individuals are seen, heard, and supported.
Locations
JusticeTree AI
Gaffny, SC 29341