The
American
Bar
Association’s
TECHSHOW
kicks
off
March
25th
at
the
McCormick
Convention
Center
in
Chicago
and
runs
through
the
28th.
It’s
one
of
the
premier
legal
tech
shows.
And
the
vibe?
It’s
a
trade
show
and
a
reunion
of
people
who
actually
care
about
the
practice
of
law
and
technology
Coming
on
the
heels
of
ALM’s
Legalweek,
it’s
tempting
to
compare
the
two
shows.
But
that’s
a
little
unfair
to
both.
The
shows
have
different
feels,
the
audiences
are
slightly
different,
and
the
vendors’
efforts
are
different.
TECHSHOW
has
historically
been
directed
more
toward
small
and
solo
law
firms.
Legalweek
is
more
of
a
big
or
at
least
bigger
law
firm
show.
But
it’s
always
wise
to
avoid
stereotypes.
Both
shows
do
have
Biglaw
and
small
law
attendees.
But
TECHSHOW
seems
to
have
more
lawyers
in
attendance.
These
differences
show
up
in
the
way
vendors
approach
the
show
and
the
educational
sessions.
My
perspective
is
that
TECHSHOW
is
more
low
key
and
less
sales
oriented
than
many
tech
shows.
There
is
a
strict
no
selling
from
the
podium
rule
and
few
of
the
sessions
are
sponsored
by
vendors
although
vendor
representatives
may
be
and
often
are
speakers.
With
over
2,200
attendees
and
over
120
exhibitors,
TECHSHOW
is
certainly
one
of
the
largest
and
premier
legal
tech
shows.
But
it
tends
to
be
more
informal
than
some
of
the
other
tech
shows.
It’s
a
collegial
atmosphere
of
people
who
tend
to
know
each
other.
It’s
always
been
a
welcoming
place.
The
Venue
Last
year,
TECHSHOW
made
the
move
from
a
downtown
Chicago
hotel
to
the
McCormick
Place
Convention
Center,
which
is
a
little
further
from
downtown.
The
show
was
criticized
unjustly
in
my
view
for
the
facility
and
the
move.
It
was
a
more
open
and
roomy
venue
and
unlike
the
Javits
Convention
Center
where
this
year’s
Legalweek
was
held,
there
are
hotels,
bars,
and
restaurants
close
by.
Incidentally,
I
heard
many
of
the
similar
criticisms
from
attendees
at
Legalweek,
also
unjustified.
Many
commentators,
however,
seemed
to
really
like
Javits
when
in
fact
it’s
not
all
that
different
than
McCormick.
Part
of
it
may
be
that
those
who
attend
both
were
a
little
more
prepared
for
the
Legalweek
having
been
at
a
similar
venue
last
year.
It’s
also
worth
mentioning
that
simultaneously
with
TECHSHOW,
the
Chicago
Comic
and
Entertainment
Expo
will
also
be
held
in
McCormick,
which
will
add
to
the
excitement.
The
Content
Where
TECHSHOW
shines
is
in
its
content,
and
this
year
is
no
exception.
This
year’s
TECHSHOW
promises
lots
of
informative
and
educational
sessions.
There
are
two
keynotes.
The
first,
on
Thursday,
will
be
given
by
Jordan
Furlong,
who
has
written
more
insightful
articles
about
the
changes
in
the
legal
profession
than
just
about
anyone.
If
you
haven’t
been
following
and
reading
Furlong,
you
are
missing
out
on
some
really
insightful
content.
His
keynote
is
entitled
“The
Lawyers
We’ll
Need:
Preparing
the
Legal
Profession
for
a
Post-AI
World.”
It’s
described
as
an
exploration
of
“the
new
roles
lawyers
must
play
in
a
post-AI
world,
from
advocate
and
counselor
to
architect
and
guardian,
and
the
deeper
human
capacities
that
will
define
professional
value.”
I
can’t
think
of
anyone
better
to
talk
about
this.
The
second
keynote
will
be
given
by
none
other
than
Nilay
Patel,
the
co-founder
and
editor
in
chief
of
The
Verge.
He
will
pose
and
attempt
to
answer
the
questions:
How
are
law
firms
adjusting
to
the
technological
change
–
what
does
successful
implementation
look
like?
How
are
teams
trained?
And
how
will
headcount
change?
And
more
broadly,
what
are
the
ethical
and
practical
implications
of
this
new
world
of
AI
applications?
Then
on
Saturday
morning
as
an
added
treat,
TECHSHOW
will
offer
a
session
entitled
“A
Historic
Conversation
on
the
Rule
of
Law,
AI,
and
the
Future
of
the
Legal
Profession.”
I
can’t
think
of
any
better
presenters
on
this
subject
than
Bill
Bay,
immediate
past
ABA
President,
Michelle
Behnke,
current
ABA
President,
and
Barbara
Howard,
incoming
ABA
President.
At
a
time
when
too
many
associations
are
shying
away
from
having
discussion
about
the
rule
of
law
and
threats
to
the
judiciary
because
they
believe
it’s
too
divisive
and
somehow
partisan,
it’s
refreshing
to
see
the
ABA,
and
for
that
matter,
ALM,
take
these
issues
head
on.
And
of
course,
the
show
kicks
off
Wednesday
evening
with
the
well-known
and
traditional
startup
pitch
competition.
The
competition
is
moderated
by
Bob
Ambrogi
(who
needs
no
introduction)
and
features
15
legal
tech
startups
facing
off,
with
the
winners
selected
by
audience
vote.
It’s
always
exciting
and
past
finalists
have
gone
on
to
greater
glory.
Think
Clearbrief,
which
we
recently
discussed.
The
show
ends
on
Saturday
morning
with
the
traditional
60
in
60
where
TECHSHOW
leaders
give
their
favorite
60
apps
and
tools
in
60
minutes.
It’s
fast
paced
and
always
exciting.
In
between,
there
are
some
47
educational
sessions
with
legal
tech
leaders
from
all
sectors
and
backgrounds.
That’s
a
lot
of
quality
content.
The
Exhibit
Floor
And
of
course,
there
is
the
exhibit
hall.
As
I
mentioned
above,
this
year
over
120
vendors
will
be
displaying
their
wares
and
will
be
happy
to
talk
to
attendees.
It
is
anticipated
that
exhibit
floor
traffic
this
year
based
on
expo-only
sales
will
be
a
record
(over
1,100,
a
33%
increase
over
last
year).
Of
course,
the
puppies
will
be
back
if
you
need
to
unwind
and
lower
stress.
A
Confession
and
Invite
I’ll
be
honest
here.
I’m
a
real
fan
of
TECHSHOW.
Always
have
been
from
the
time
I
first
attended
several
years
ago
to
serving
on
the
TECHSHOW
Board
and
co-chairing
it
last
year.
TECHSHOW
is
like
family,
welcoming
and
friendly.
And
the
attendees
by
and
large
care
about
the
practice
of
law,
the
use
of
technology
and,
more
importantly,
other
attendees.
So,
if
you
haven’t
signed
up,
it’s
still
not
too
late
to
get
in
on
the
action.
Here’s
a
link.
You
won’t
be
disappointed
in
the
content,
the
exhibit
hall,
and
the
family.
See
you
there.
Stephen
Embry
is
a
lawyer,
speaker,
blogger,
and
writer.
He
publishes TechLaw
Crossroads,
a
blog
devoted
to
the
examination
of
the
tension
between
technology,
the
law,
and
the
practice
of
law.