App-lying Legal Wisdom: Calm’s CLO Enlightens Carolina Law Students 

The Asian American Law Students Association (AALSA) at UNC School of Law and UNC’s Asian American Center recently co-hosted a talk featuring Eugene Lao, chief legal officer at Calm, the popular meditation and sleep app. 

Calm, founded in 2012, has become a major player in the wellness technology sector. The San Francisco-based company offers guided meditations, sleep stories, and other relaxation content through its subscription-based app. Lao, a UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke Law alumnus, joined Calm as chief legal officer in August 2024, bringing with him over 25 years of experience in the tech industry. 

Lao’s impressive career includes leadership roles at Yahoo!, where he spent a decade as Vice President and Regional General Counsel for Asia-Pacific, as well as positions at Zynga, Auction.com (now Ten-X), and DocuSign. His experience spans international operations, market entry and growth, corporate structuring, and internet and technology law. 

At the event, Lao provided a mix of practical and inspirational advice, emphasizing the importance of breaking down complex legal challenges while maintaining a big-picture perspective. He stressed the value of creating innovative solutions, being a trusted counselor, and the significance of mentorship and workplace likability for success in the legal field, particularly in the fast-paced tech industry. 

AALSA President Nishara Gunasekara expressed her hopes for the event’s impact, saying, “I hope students leave feeling curious and inspired by the opportunities in a career as in-house counsel, which often receives less attention in law school. The tech legal space, in particular, affects us all and draws wide interest, so I hope those considering this field gain valuable insights on how to break into it!” 

Marcus Donie from UNC’s Asian American Center sees these collaborations as crucial bridges. By bringing alumni like Lao back to campus, AALSA and the Center connect students with seasoned professionals, opening doors to innovative legal careers and nurturing mentorships within the Asian American community.