8am, the parent company of LawPay, MyCase, CasePeer and other law practice technology products, has a new CEO: Jeff Hughes, a member of 8am’s board since 2024 and recently its executive chairman.

Hughes succeeds Dru Armstrong, who joined the company formerly known as AffiniPay as CEO in 2021. The news was announced May 19.

Dru Armstrong

Armstrong led the company through a period of substantial growth and transition during which it acquired MyCase and its portfolio of law practice management products, rebranded as 8am, introduced innovative financial products, drove the development of generative AI tools, and launched its own conference.

But last year, Armstrong was diagnosed with breast cancer, an experience she wrote about in an article for Forbes, I’m a CEO who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 43. I felt empowered when I turned to gen AI.

By all accounts, Armstrong kept actively working at her job, even as she went through treatment, and she wrote in a recent LinkedIn post that she is now fully recovered from cancer.

30-Year Software Veteran

Hughes comes to 8am’s leadership after 30 years of executive positions spanning hospitality, retail, financial services, and energy.

Jeff Hughes

He most recently served as CEO of Enverus, a software and data analytics provider for the energy market, where he led the company throughout Genstar Capital’s majority ownership.

According to the announcement, from 2016 to 2024, Enverus grew revenue 6x under Hughes’ leadership and became the largest software provider in its market.

“What excites me most is the opportunity ahead, to continue innovating on behalf of our customers and partners, to accelerate our work in AI, and to expand the reach and impact of the 8am platform for the professionals who rely on us every day,” Hughes said in the announcement. “The opportunity in front of us is significant, and 8am is built to capture it.”

Armstrong, in her LinkedIn post, said that she was leaving 8am after “the board and I decided that now was the right time for a leadership transition.”

As for what is next for her, she wrote, “Here in Austin, I’m surrounded by entrepreneurs and leaders building what comes next, and I’m excited to spend time learning, exploring, and going deeper into this next wave of technology.”

I twice had the opportunity to interview Armstrong for my LawNext podcast. If you would like to hear more from her, check these out:

[Disclosure: I have a son who is employed at 8am.]

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.