Bench & Bar May/June 2025

LAW PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

ABA TECHSHOW 2025: A LANDMARK YEAR IN A GLEAMING NEW SPACE

T he ABA TechShow wrapped up on April 5, 2025, in Chicago, marking its 40 th anniversary with a bold new chapter—its first-ever staging at the expan sive McCormick Place Convention Center. While attendees traded the bustle of down town Chicago for a more open convention center that was a six-minute walk from the conference hotel, the result for all intents and purposes was a resounding success. THIS YEAR’S TECHSHOW BOASTED: • The highest number of attendees in its history, drawing legal tech professionals from around the globe. • A record-breaking number of sponsors and exhibitors. • A stunning new venue with views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline—a striking change from the former basement-level setting. The conference featured over 70 educa tional sessions, high-energy networking receptions, dozens of “lunch and learn” events, and even an 80s-themed anniver sary party to commemorate four decades of innovation. KEYNOTE INSIGHT FROM CORY DOCTOROW The show opened with a provocative key note by Cory Doctorow—sci-fi novelist, technology activist, and strategic tech thinker. Doctorow challenged the audience to consider how tech vendors accumulate power and exploit customers and offered insights on resisting that imbalance. A consultant with the Electronic Frontier Foundation and a visiting professor at UNC,

BY STEVE EMBRY

Doctorow brought an insightful perspective to the ethical edges of technology in law. STARTUP COMPETITION HEATS UP—ENDS IN A TIE The 9 th annual Startup Alley competi tion featured 15 companies vying for the audience’s vote as most innovative. Each contestant had three minutes to pitch their products to the audience. For the first time ever, the vote ended in a tie between: • Case Crafter, offering intuitive timelines for medical records, depositions, and evidence and trial presentation software that simplify complex narratives. • Querious, showcasing a powerful generative AI tool for legal work flows and to communicate with clients. Other notable participants included Bot Mediation, which promised to enable a bot powered mediators and Legion AI which offered a tool that could do such things as prepare a draft complaint in less than a few minutes. SESSION HIGHLIGHTS Of course, the sessions focused, although not exclusively, on AI and Gen AI. High lights from the dozens of sessions included: • Judges Ashleigh Parker and Tim othy Driscoll on the use of AI in courtrooms. • A look into the role of AI in solv ing access to justice and eDiscov ery challenges. • A walk through the history and fu ture of AI in legal practice. • Practical guidance on building re mote law firm culture and enhanc ing cybersecurity.

• How-to sessions for tools like Mi crosoft Co-Pilot and TrialPad and tips for using technology in per suasive ways in the courtroom • The ever-popular “60 Tips in 60 Minutes” session delivered its usu al rapid-fire value • Attendees also enjoyed lighter mo ments including a humorous ret rospective on four decades of tech tools and gadgets. There was even 5K run and yoga session to en courage wellness and health. And I almost forgot to mention the puppies in the exhibit hall brought to us by Clio. THE EXHIBIT HALL This year’s exhibit hall, housed in a brighter and better lit convention center, featured wider walkways and more open spaces. Major large vendors like Clio, Lexis Nexis and AffiniPay along with smaller, less well known legal tech product suppliers and makers showcased their products. There was also a start-up ally for the 15 compet itors. The exhibit hall served as the site for the start-up competition, two networking events and the lunch and learn sessions. FINAL VERDICT: A WIN By all accounts, TechShow 2025 delivered on both substance and spirit—marking a high point in legal tech’s ongoing evolution and proving that even after 40 years, legal technology and innovation is thriving—and just getting started. Mark your calendars: next year’s show will be in the same place on March 25 th through 28 th .

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