For four decades, this conference/expo has brought lawyers and technology together. Now, its 40th year promises to be the best yet. Here’s how to make the most of it.
For legal professionals, the 2025 ABA TECHSHOW will arguably be the most consequential event of the year. Technology has always played a large role in the practice of law, but the past decade has seen that role grow exponentially, with innovations in AI and cloud computing at center stage. There will be more than enough to see, discuss, and experience at this year’s event — and those who can navigate the event well will walk away with plenty of knowledge they can apply to their own practice.
If you’re headed to Chicago for TECHSHOW, but are unsure how to best navigate the event, we at PracticePanther are here to help! We’ve put together a quick prep guide for the upcoming ABA conference and expo, including some of the most important events, a few time-saving tips, and a brief taste of what the TECHSHOW lineup will offer.
Creating Your ABA Tech Conference Schedule
As you plan which events you’re going to attend, some general guidelines will help things run much smoother when you arrive. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make extensive use of maps — before and during the TECHSHOW. If you don’t have a map yet, the ABA TECHSHOW website has an expo floor plan you can look at. Not only is it just good to know where everything is, but it’s also good to give yourself ample time to traverse the busy, crowded trade show floor. Oh, and speaking of time…
- Try to leave at least an hour gap between any scheduled events. While it may be tempting to cram your schedule wall-to-wall with things to do, make sure you’re allotting time for networking, food, and rest. If you’re headed to Chicago with a team or know colleagues who are attending, see which events you all are interested in; if there is overlap, consider having only one of the group attend and take copious notes they can bring back to the group. (Of course, you have to trust their note-taking, but we’ll leave that part up to you.)
- Plan some time to wander. Part of what makes events like this great is spontaneity: the great things that come out of putting a ton of great minds and ideas in one place. Random conversations become ideas, chance meetings become business partnerships, a booth visit becomes a mentor-mentee connection — the list goes on. Leave yourself some time to walk the expo floor or peruse McCormick Hall; you never know what you’ll find! While it’s good to have a general plan for what you’re doing, you don’t always need a goal in mind to come across something valuable to your work.
Must-See ABA TECHSHOW Speakers and Events
As we hinted earlier, technology’s role is evolving to include more and more functions — something that will be on full display via this event from the ABA. Law practices today must consider cybersecurity, digital marketing, the role artificial intelligence plays in their practice, and much more. Take a look at just a few highlights from this year’s TECHSHOW schedule:
Welcome Reception
📍 EXPO Hall | April 2, 2025 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Network with colleagues and explore the latest legal tech at the Welcome Reception. EXPO Hall-only passes are free — invite your team!
Keynote Address: Cory Doctorow
📍 E450AB | April 3, 2025 | 8:40 AM – 9:30 AM
Get ready for an inspiring keynote from Cory Doctorow, an acclaimed science fiction novelist, journalist, and tech activist! As a special consultant to the Electronic Frontier Foundation and a respected voice in technology law and civil liberties, Doctorow brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. His work spans from academia to major publications, making this a session you won’t want to miss.
40th Anniversary Celebration
📍 Lakeside Foyer | April 4, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Four decades of legal tech innovation calls for a celebration. Join the festivities as ABA TECHSHOW marks its 40th anniversary with a special birthday celebration!
Calculating ROI for Technology Spend in Your Law Firm
📍 E350 | April 3, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Want to get the most out of your tech investments? Catherine Sanders Reach (North Carolina Bar Association) and Marc W. Matheny (TECHSHOW 2025 Board) will show you how to track key metrics, spot redundant features, and boost the ROI of your firm’s essential tools.
The Technology Side of Succession Planning and Winding Up
📍 E353B | April 4, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Charity Anastasio (American Immigration Lawyers Association) and Danielle Hall (Kansas Office of Judicial Administration) will discuss how technology plays a key role in law firm succession planning and winding up. Learn how to select and maintain tech that supports both current needs and future goals.
Cyber Guardians of the Legal Galaxy
📍 E353B | April 4, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Get back to cybersecurity basics with JoAnn Hathaway (State Bar of Michigan) and Pegeen Turner (Legal Cloud Technology). Learn how to spot risks, protect your firm, and make sure your cyber insurance actually delivers when it matters most.
Setting Tech Priorities for a Small Law Firm
📍 E350 | April 4, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Jim Calloway (Oklahoma Bar Association) and Reid Trautz (American Immigration Lawyers Association) will guide small firm attorneys through evaluating their unique workflows and choosing tech that fits their needs. This session covers software functionality, features, and compatibility, helping attendees save time and money with a list of recommended “best-in-class” tools.
Women in LawTech: Challenges, Wins, & Opportunities
📍 E353A | April 4, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Explore the journey of women in legal tech with Jennifer Wondracek (Capital University Law School) and Kara Peterson (descrybe.ai). This session highlights key achievements, ongoing challenges, and strategies to create a more inclusive and supportive industry, featuring insights from academia, vendors, and law firms.
Tech Trends and Toys 2025: The Latest Gadgets and Tech for Lawyers
📍 Expo Stage | April 4, 2025 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Each year, William T. Ramsey (Neal & Harwell, PLC) and Heidi Barcus (TECHSHOW 2025 Co-Vice Chair) head to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Vegas to scout the latest innovations. They will share a fast-paced look at the latest gadgets and tech trends for both legal practice and everyday life.. And no, it’s not all about AI.
These are just a few of the dozens of sessions this year’s tech show will offer. For a full list of speakers and events, visit the ABA TECHSHOW website!
If you’re attending to find real solutions you can take back to your firm, the exhibit hall is worth your time. Many of the booths — PracticePanther included — belong to companies helping attorneys improve the way they work every day. Last year, AJ Skogerson, Co-Founder of The Law Shop, visited the PracticePanther booth, explored a demo, and made the switch to PracticePanther shortly after:
“Our firm onboarded with PracticePanther shortly after demoing the software at last year’s TECHSHOW. Since then, we’ve seen a remarkable boost in efficiency and reduced costs, especially in card processing fees. Tracking attorney commissions is easier, and our client intake process is smoother than ever. Even while migrating dispersed data from our mid-sized firm, the dedication from PracticePanther’s support team ensured we maximized our return on investment, surpassing other platforms we carefully investigated and considered.” — AJ Skogerson, Co-Founder, The Law Shop
If your goal is to walk away from TECHSHOW with actionable ways to improve your practice, don’t skip the floor. You might leave with the exact solution you’ve been looking for.
A Few Parting Tips
- Make good use of the TECHSHOW website. Not only do they have a full map and schedule of events, but they also provide useful tools and tips from the event organizers. For example, if you’re interested in specific subjects, the website’s “Schedule” page allows you to filter out sessions by key topics, such as AI, Ethics, Time Management, and more.
- Prepare for every type of weather — you might literally see it all. Chicago’s weather in April is a bit of a mixed bag, so while it’s good to hope for nice weather it’s even better to be ready. Layering is the way to go — it keeps you comfortable in unpredictable weather while making sure you’re dressed appropriately for every part of the conference.
- Need professional headshots? Get some for FREE! If your most recent headshot makes you feel nostalgic, it might be time to update it… and at the official PracticePanther headshot booth, you can do so for free! We’ll have a studio-quality setup, so stop by and get a new headshot that you can use for your LinkedIn, staff website, or even that future partner announcement.
- Don’t forget the post-conference materials! Most of the sessions at the techshow will offer their PowerPoint presentations, as well as additional resources, via the ABA Conference App. Save some time (and notebook paper) and download the app!
We hope you enjoy this year’s ABA TECHSHOW, and we hope this blog helps you do just that. While you’re wandering the trade show, please stop by and say hello to us at PracticePanther — especially if you’re looking to improve the way your firm runs!
