Jun 16, 2026
NALSC Podcast Recruiter Stories Episode 36: Jae Um; interview by Jordan Abshire
Jae Um, Chief Growth Officer and Head of Knowledge at Lumio, shares her perspective on the future of the legal industry, drawing on her experience in law firm strategy, pricing, innovation, and business development. She argues that today’s legal market is becoming increasingly fragmented and dynamic, with firms differentiating themselves through more focused growth strategies rather than simply adding lawyers, offices, and practices.
Jae discusses how the rise of lateral hiring, evolving partnership expectations, and rapid advances in AI are reshaping both law firm competition and lawyer careers. She emphasizes that the most successful lawyers will combine self-awareness, collaboration, and curiosity, recognizing that modern legal practice is increasingly a team sport requiring adaptability and continuous learning.
We also explore how recruiters can better evaluate both candidates and firms, focusing on alignment, culture, and long-term compatibility.
Finally, Jae offers a measured view of AI’s impact on the profession, suggesting that while technology will change how legal services are delivered, the relationship-driven nature of high-end legal practice—and the need to develop future generations of lawyers—will remain essential.