10 Best Legal Conferences in the US

Legal professionals must jump through multiple hoops to build a rewarding career. First, there’s the formal education, which requires years of hard work. Next, you need to put in the time as a new attorney before you begin to see much in terms of referrals, recognition, and profitability for your firm — no matter which practice area you’re in.

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However, it doesn’t stop there. Like other industries, legal professionals must build a strong business, and that requires networking, keeping up with industry trends, and more. Legal conferences give you the chance to do that all under one roof. It’s not just networking, either. The best legal conferences can offer you lots of other opportunities. 

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For instance, many provide continuing legal education opportunities, which are important for upskilling and your firm’s compliance. Others help you tap into new marketing and advertising trends. Yet other conferences help connect you with professionals from other industries, broadening your knowledge and experience. 

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And these conferences aren’t just for attorneys. They’re also ideal options for paralegals, law firm administrators, and other staff members.

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But which conferences should you focus on? 

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There are thousands of them across the country each year, but they’re not all created equal. We’ve done the legwork for you and ranked the 10 best legal conferences in the U.S. for 2024.

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The best legal conferences to attend

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Determining which legal conferences to attend can be tough. You must balance location, theme/content, cost, availability, number of days to attend, and many other factors. Our list below breaks down what you need to know so you can plan more effectively.

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1. AILA Annual Conference on Immigration Law

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Immigration law will remain an immensely hot topic for years to come. People on both sides of the political divide recognize the need for dramatic changes to the United States’ existing immigration laws, and many such changes are on the horizon. The AILA Annual Conference on Immigration Law is a must-attend event for anyone in the industry. It will be held in Chicago, IL, from June 12 through 15. 

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2. The SUMMIT

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Held annually, The SUMMIT is a critical event for solo attorneys and small firms. It focuses on exploring important business tactics relevant to your success, as well as industry trends and other factors that you need to know. It takes place November 14 and 15 in Orlando, FL.

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3. ILTACON

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ILTACON is held in Nashville, TN, from August 11 through 15. It’s focused solely on legal technology and features a broad range of programming. That includes educational content, peer-driven programming, networking possibilities, and plenty of other things to enjoy while you’re there

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4. PIMCON

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Specifically for personal injury attorneys, PIMCON will be held in Scottsdale, AZ, from September 15 through 17. It’s open to attorneys and non-attorneys and there will be vendors, programming, and more. This is a mastermind program designed to help you plot a course for success in your practice. 

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5. Law-Di-Gras

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If you’re looking for something a bit different, consider attending 2024’s Law-Di-Gras. It’s a music-themed legal conference that focuses on building relationships between medical and legal professionals. You’ll get education on personal injury cases and the opportunity to network with a broad range of professionals.

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6. ABA Labor and Employment Law Conference

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If you’re in the labor and employment law space, then the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Conference is one you can’t miss. It offers engaging keynote speakers, panels dedicated to discussing the ins and outs of employment and labor law, and even CLE opportunities. It takes place November 8-11 in Seattle, WA.

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7. TBI Med Legal Conference

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Held every year in San Diego, CA, the TBI Med Legal Conference is the world’s largest conference dedicated to traumatic brain injuries and personal injury law. You’ll hear from medical experts and legal specialists to learn business management tips and master best practices to build a thriving law firm.

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8. Legal Marketing Association Annual Conference

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The largest conference in the world dedicated to legal marketing and business development professionals, the Legal Marketing Association Annual Conference might not be first on your list as an attorney.  However, it’s an excellent chance to engage with expert legal marketers, build your network, and learn important tips to help build your brand. It’s held each year in April. It will be in Washington DC in 2025.

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9. Legalweek

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Legalweek takes place every year from January 29 through February 1 in New York City. It’s a must-attend event for large law firms and provides not just networking opportunities, but also CLE opportunities for your firm’s attorneys. 

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10. IPLSPRING

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Intellectual property is an increasingly important area of law. IPLSPRING is held in mid-April in Washington DC and covers important information that intellectual property attorneys must know, connects you with knowledgeable guest speakers, and offers opportunities to network with others in your legal area.

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Other relationships to help you build a thriving legal practice

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Attending the best legal conferences in the U.S. will definitely give you a leg up when it comes to networking and staying on top of current trends. However, don’t forget that you need other relationships to run a profitable legal practice. That includes a legal answering service to help ensure you never miss a call while focusing on serving your clients’ needs.

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At Smith.ai, our virtual receptionists can provide 24-hour call answering, so no matter what sector of the legal industry you’re in, your calls are always answered. Of course, we can go far beyond just answering the phone. We can simplify your appointment booking process, improve your lead screening and intake, and even help you make more informed decisions with call intelligence and metadata available in a central dashboard. 

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To learn more, schedule a consultation or reach out to hello@smith.ai.

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