The Best Conferences for Lawyers in 2023 — Including Legal CLE Conferences

The legal industry is constantly evolving—that’s why legal professionals must find ways to keep learning and growing. The best conferences for lawyers, including legal CLE conferences, give professionals an opportunity to network and stay up to date on the latest legal news and regulations.

Attending a legal conference is an efficient way to elevate your career and law firm to the next level. But with so many legal conference options, determining the best conferences to invest your time, money, and energy in can be overwhelming.

This guide will help you choose the best conferences for lawyers to attend. To start, we’ll delve deeper into the specific value opportunities in legal conferences. Once you know what to look for, you’ll be equipped to make an informed decision.

We’ll also provide tips for how to prepare and get the most from the legal conferences you attend. Most importantly, we’ll offer our picks for the best legal conferences this year.

A roundup of the best legal conferences for 2023

Why lawyers should attend legal conferences

To grow and remain competitive in today’s rapidly changing legal industry, lawyers need to stay on top of the latest trends, technology, and issues in the profession. But it can be challenging to balance ongoing lawyer training with your day-to-day workload.

The best legal conferences offer a dynamic solution: Quality legal conferences allow lawyers to immerse themselves in the latest training and educational opportunities in just a few days. These conferences give legal professionals the opportunity to gain valuable insights and ideas on important industry changes and information, in addition to meeting and connecting with like-minded legal professionals.

Notably, attending a legal conference is valuable for:

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) opportunities

Ongoing lawyer training is key for staying competitive, but you also need to earn CLE credits. By attending legal CLE conferences that offer CLE credits, you can work towards meeting CLE requirements while learning from the conference and upgrading your skills.

If completing CLE courses is a priority when looking for the best legal conference, there are a few options.

You can look to large-scale legal CLE conferences that offer CLE-eligible sessions. For example, at the Clio Cloud Conference, attendees can earn CLE credit by participating in eligible conference sessions, even though it’s not specifically a legal CLE conference. You can also attend state bar conferences put on by your local state bar association. Legal CLE conferences are an interactive and social way to earn your credits.

Networking and building professional relationships

Establishing good relationships with other legal practitioners is important to furthering any lawyer’s professional career. Legal conferences bring together like-minded professionals and are one of the best, most natural places for attorney networking.

Marketing and promotion

Effective law firm marketing is essential for success, and legal conferences are excellent sources for learning the latest strategies for promoting your practice. Legal conferences are also great for connecting with vendors, other attorneys, and potential clients.

Additionally, the events of 2020 have led to the creation of more flexible, virtual conferences, making it even easier than before to attend. While legal conferences have traditionally been physical gatherings, virtual legal conferences offer the benefits of large-scale legal conferences without having to travel. As the 2022 Clio Cloud Conference showed, the best virtual legal conferences are just as immersive and educational as in-person events—with the bonus of being more accessible and affordable.

If you’re curious about how a digital conference works, this post covers what you can expect at a virtual legal conference.

Who should attend a legal conference

It’s simple: Any legal professional who works at a law firm can benefit from attending a legal conference. Here’s why:

Lawyers

All lawyers will benefit from networking, marketing, and gaining insights on the latest trends in the legal industry. But partners and law firm decision-makers may find added value from attending legal conferences that highlight legal technology and innovation. Firm leaders who stay ahead of the curve with useful tools are better equipped to help drive innovation and growth at their firms.

Paralegals

While paralegals are not lawyers, they take on substantive legal work on behalf of lawyers. It is just as important for paralegals to stay updated on the latest trends and opportunities in the legal industry. Moreover, paralegals can use the knowledge gained from legal conferences to drive change and innovation at law firms.

Law firm administrators

Part of a law firm administrator’s responsibilities involves managing workflows, processes, and implementing new technology. Therefore, they need to stay up-to-date on the latest in law firm productivity and tech. Attending a legal conference is a useful way for law firm admins to discover new ways to increase efficiency and productivity.

How to prepare for a legal conference

Strategizing and keeping an open mind is an excellent way to ensure you get the most value from any legal conference.

Best practices when attending legal conferences

• Be open to new perspectives. While you’re not going to change your entire legal practice based on everything you hear at a legal conference, avoid preconceived notions that may limit your experience.
• Have goals from the get-go. The best legal conferences pack a lot of information and networking opportunities into a condensed time period. You most likely won’t be able to attend every single session at the conference. It’s a good idea to plan and come prepared with some specific goals for topics that you want to learn about or takeaways you hope to gain.

Prepare for the conference

Take some time to look through the conference’s agenda and materials before it starts. This way, you’ll be more focused and less likely to miss out on a session or opportunity that’s especially applicable to your firm.

• Participate and be engaged. To get the most out of a legal conference, be active and participate. If you’re attending an in-person conference, attend networking events and speak up. If you’re attending a virtual conference, join breakout rooms or live chats to engage and connect.
• Clear your calendar. Try to avoid multitasking as much as possible during the conference. Clear your calendar and turn on your out-of-office message so you can focus and stay engaged.
• Set up your virtual space. If you’re attending a virtual legal conference, you can benefit from a more flexible experience. But it’s still important to be able to focus when you need to—so make sure you set aside time in a place where you’ll be comfortable and won’t be distracted.

2023’s Best Conferences for Lawyers

Now you know why legal conferences are so valuable for legal professionals and are equipped with a strategic approach to get the most out of them. Let’s look at the best legal conferences to consider attending in the year ahead.

We’ll start with the essentials—our picks for the can’t-miss choices. Then, we’ll look at the best legal conferences for different categories like solo firm conferences, legal tech-focused conferences, practice-area-specific conferences, and more.

The top 3 can’t-miss legal conferences

1. Clio Cloud Conference, October 9-10, 2023

Location: Nashville, TN

Cost: 

• Team pass: $499 (Until March 2nd)
• Individual $599 (Until March 2nd)

Credits: CLE eligible

As the world’s biggest legal conference, Clio’s annual Cloud Conference brings together thousands of like-minded professionals for an experience that touches on all the best things that legal conferences can offer. It’s an exciting option for those looking into legal CLE conferences.

2023’s conference allows attendees to join the conference individually or as a team—in Nashville. Stay tuned for more details and updates to come.

2. ABA TECHSHOW, March 1-4, 2023

Location: Chicago, IL

Cost: 

• Members: $1,100
• Non-members: $1,200

Credits: CLE eligible

The ABA TECHSHOW brings together legal professionals and technology to showcase the latest tools and strategies to help lawyers practice law more efficiently and effectively (fun fact: Clio debuted at the ABA TECHSHOW in 2008). The 2023 TECHSHOW is an engaging event for those looking into legal CLE conferences.

3. Legalweek, March 20-23, 2023

Location: New York, NY

Cost:

• Full conference passes: $1,695-$1,995
• Team passes: $800
• Day passes: $1,150

Credits: CLE eligible

With a focus on driving the industry forward, Legalweek is an ideal conference for large firms. It has content targeted to a wide range of roles—including law firm CEOs and partners, legal technology leaders, legal operations professionals, in-house counsel, marketing professionals, and knowledge management leaders.

The best legal conference for solo and small firm lawyers

The SUMMIT: National Solo and Small Law Firm Conference, November 2-3, 2023

Location: Orlando, FL

Cost: TBA

With content designed to inspire and educate established, growing, and innovative law firms, The SUMMIT is best suited for lawyers at solo and small law firms. It focuses on special interest topics to small law firms and entrepreneurs—like industry trends and hacks, the latest business practices, and strategy.

Runner up: Missouri Bar Solo & Small Firm Conference, June 8-10, 2023

Location: Osage Beach, MO

Cost: TBA

Credits: MCLE eligible

After 26 years, this annual conference is a leader in legal conferences for small and solo law firms. Ideal for individual lawyers and staff at small law firms, this conference aims to teach skills and deliver the latest information for small firms to improve their law practices.

The best legal conference for large firms

Legalweek, March 20-23, 2023

Location: New York, NY

Cost: 

• Full conference passes: $1,695-$1,995
• Team passes: $800
• Day passes: $1,150

Credits: CLE eligible

With a focus on driving the industry forward, Legalweek is an ideal conference for large firms. It has content targeted to a wide range of roles—including law firm CEOs and partners, legal technology leaders, legal operations professionals, inside counsel, marketing professionals, and knowledge management leaders.

The best legal technology conference

Clio Cloud Conference, October 9-10, 2023

Location: Nashville, TN

Cost: 

• Team pass: $499 (Until March 2)
• Individual $599 (Until March 2)

Credits: CLE eligible

When it comes to innovation and future-thinking in legal technology, the Clio Cloud Conference offers a unique blend of cutting-edge and innovation-minded learning along with connections with like-minded professionals. In addition to inspiring keynotes, CLE opportunities, and networking, attendees can learn about the latest solutions from carefully selected legal tech partners—and gain early access to the latest product and feature updates from Clio.

The best legal conference for intellectual property law

American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) Annual Meeting, October 19-21, 2023

Location: National Harbor, MD

Credits: CLE eligible

This multi-track annual conference is designed to help intellectual property practitioners elevate their careers and skills with sessions focused on pertinent topics like patent prosecution, copyright, trademark, and more.

The best legal conference for criminal law

Trial Lawyers Summit, January 23-26, 2023

Location: Miami, FL

Credits: CLE eligible

Cost: 

• $1,495 (members)
• $1,695 (non-members

The annual Trial Lawyers Summit is a unique gathering of America’s most outstanding civil plaintiff and criminal defense lawyers.

With networking events, informative sessions, and CLE opportunities focused on trial skills and business management, the Trial Lawyers Summit brings together civil plaintiff and criminal defense lawyers, paralegals, students, and law firm administrators. Topics covered at the summit include criminal defense, digital marketing, women’s leadership, traumatic brain injury litigation, and more.

The best legal conference for labor and employment law

Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, Annually in November

Location: Changes every year

Credits: CLE eligible

The American Bar Association’s annual Labor and Employment Law Conference offers a mix of networking, CLE opportunities, keynote speakers, and panelists with insights into all aspects of the practice of labor and employment law.

The best legal conference for immigration law

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Annual Conference on Immigration Law, June 21-23, 2023

Location: Orlando, FL

Credits: CLE eligible

This conference is targeted towards practitioners from all immigration practice areas. It’s designed in a multi-track format with a fundamentals-based track for those new to the practice of immigration law and intermediate- and advanced-level programming—allowing attendees to find content that suits their current career path. This is a noteworthy event for those looking for legal CLE conferences.

The best marketing conference for lawyers

In addition to conferences targeted at lawyers, you can also look for events that can help grow the business side of your firm. Look for events related to topics like marketing and small business ownership.

Legal Marketing Association Annual Conference, April 24-26, 2023

Location: Hollywood, FL

Cost: 

• $1,620 (LMA member) (until March 13, 2023)
• $2,120 (non-members) (until March 13, 2023)

Focused exclusively on legal marketing and business development, this conference offers educational content focused on themes like strategic planning, overcoming current challenges in the industry, and unlocking professional opportunities. Attendees range from managers to administrators to attorneys working at law firms, legal and professional services, marketing and PR firms, and other related industries.

Make time for legal conferences

No matter what point you’re at in your legal career, there’s always room to grow. The best legal conferences for lawyers are an efficient and effective way to invest in your career, your law firm’s future, and yourself.

It’s easy to get caught up with the day-to-day of your legal work. But taking the time to attend legal conferences is valuable for your work as a lawyer.

Whether you choose to attend one of many legal CLE conferences or an event focused on legal technology or your practice area, it’s important to be prepared. Prepare for the legal conference experience by reviewing the agenda, setting some goals, and bringing an open mind.

Not sure where to start? Consult Clio’s 2022 Legal Trends Report, which provides crucial information about the state of the legal industry. Understanding where the legal profession is going will help you set goals and stay on track—now and into the future.

What is a legal conference?

Legal conferences offer networking opportunities, the latest industry insights, CLE credits, and so much more. If you’ve considered working in a different practice area or starting your own law firm, legal conferences can help you find the right community to help make your career dreams a reality.

Do lawyers attend conferences?

Many lawyers attend conferences as they see the value in networking and staying in the know about the latest industry happenings. With so many different conferences to pick from (including virtual events), there’s an engaging conference for every legal professional.

We published this blog post in July 2021. Last updated: March 17, 2023.

Categorized in: Business