JJ was born in London but spent her early childhood in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Eventually her family settled in Ottawa where she attended Ashbury College and then the University of Ottawa. She graduated in 2007 with an Honours BA in Philosophy. During her undergraduate studies she earned recognition on the Dean's List and was named a CIS Academic All-Canadian while competing nationally for the varsity cross-country and track teams. Throughout her studies she was actively involved on campus as a Student Ambassador, Liaison Officer and an Undergraduate Admissions Officer for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
JJ commenced her first year of Law school at the University of Ottawa and subsequently transferred to Dalhousie University where she obtained her J.D. with a certificate of Specialization in Environmental Law in 2011. During her first year of legal studies she became an assistant editor for the University of Ottawa Law and Technology Journal, a member of the Women's Legal Education Action Fund and an educator for the "No means No" campaign. In her second year she joined Pro-Bono Students Canada and worked for the Deafness Advocacy Association of Nova Scotia's end-of-life issues program and advised the Northwest Arm Heritage Association on water-lot infilling issues. After her second year she summered with the Department of Justice in Ottawa. In her final year she coordinated the East Coast Environmental Law Association's online legal library and worked as a research assistant for the Dalhousie Health Law Institute on an occupational health and safety project.
JJ enjoys spending time in Gatineau Park cycling and cross-country skiing, socializing with friends and family, and travelling.
