Key takeaways
This guide provides a curated list of the top legal tech conferences in 2026, including key details such as dates, locations, and CLE information.
It explains why legal professionals should prioritize technology-focused events this year. Many of these conferences offer CLE credit, allowing attendees to combine education with compliance requirements.
8am™ Kaleidoscope 2026 is a must-attend event for practice management and legal payments insights.
Legal technology isn’t standing still in 2026—and neither can your firm. AI adoption is accelerating, practice management platforms are becoming more connected, and payment processing is changing how firms get paid and manage cash flow. What felt cutting-edge a year ago is quickly becoming standard. Staying current is about making smart decisions that keep your firm competitive and efficient.
If you’re mapping out your year, adding the right legal tech conference to your calendar can make a real difference. The best legal tech conferences offer more than product demos—they provide practical insight into how other firms are using AI, automation, and data to improve performance. They also create space to ask questions, compare tools, and earn CLE credit along the way.
Why attend a legal technology conference in 2026
Attending a legal tech conference gives you something you simply can’t get from a webinar or product page: A hands-on perspective. Walking through an exhibit hall, watching live demos, and speaking directly with product teams allows you to see how tools function in real-world scenarios. You can ask detailed questions, compare solutions side by side, and evaluate what actually fits your firm.
These conferences also create space for meaningful peer conversations. You’ll meet managing partners, administrators, and legal ops professionals who are navigating the same AI policies, implementation hurdles, and budgeting decisions. Hearing how other firms approach adoption helps you benchmark your own progress and prioritize next steps.
Many events also offer CLE Credits, allowing you to combine professional development with compliance requirements in a single trip. In one conference experience, you can earn credit, evaluate vendors, and leave with a clearer roadmap for the year ahead.
Top legal tech conferences to attend in 2026
Below, you’ll find a curated list of leading legal technology conferences in 2026, complete with dates, locations, and focus areas. Think of this as your planning guide to choosing the events that deserve your time and budget this year.
1. Legalweek
When: March 9-12, 2026 Where: North Javits Center, New York, NY CLE: Yes
Legalweek is one of the largest legal technology conferences in the United States. Hosted by ALM, it features 400+ speakers, workshop boot camps, TED-style talks, and panel sessions covering legal automation, eDiscovery, data privacy, AI, and practice management.
Thousands of legal professionals attend each year, and the expansive exhibit hall makes it a strong choice if you want to compare vendors side by side. It’s especially valuable for firms seeking broad exposure to emerging tools and trends shaping the industry.
2. ABA TECHSHOW
When: March 25-28, 2026 Where: Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Chicago, IL CLE: Yes
ABA TECHSHOW is the ABA’s flagship legal technology conference. It offers dozens of CLE-eligible presentations, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions focused on AI, cybersecurity, eDiscovery, and practice management.
With 100+ technology vendors in the expo hall, the ABA TECHSHOW is particularly useful for small and mid-size firms looking to evaluate solutions in one place. Its practical programming and strong CLE component make it a consistent favorite on the legal tech events calendar.
3. Legal Marketing Association (LMA) Annual Conference
When: April 20-22, 2026 Where: Hyatt Regency, New Orleans, LA CLE: Check with organizers
The LMA Annual Conference is the premier event for legal marketing and business development professionals. While not exclusively tech-focused, it highlights the growing role of technology in client acquisition, data-driven marketing, and brand strategy.
For firms investing in CRM systems, marketing automation, or analytics tools, this event offers a useful intersection of legal tech and growth strategy.
4. CLOC Global Institute
When: May 11-14, 2026 Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, IL CLE: Select sessions
The CLOC Global Institute brings together more than 2,000 legal operations professionals from corporate legal departments, law firms, and technology providers. After several years in Las Vegas, it will move to Chicago in 2026.
Programming centers on legal ops strategy, process improvement, and technology transformation. If you’re focused on operational efficiency and measurable performance, CLOC is one of the most strategy-driven legal technology conferences on the calendar.
5. AILA Annual Conference on Immigration Law
When: June 17-20, 2026 Where: Marriott Marquis and Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA CLE: Yes
The AILA Annual Conference is the largest immigration law conference in the United States. In recent years, it has expanded its focus on case management automation, AI tools for immigration workflows, and compliance technology.
For firms practicing immigration law, this event offers targeted education and practical technology insights alongside robust CLE programming.
6. NALA Conference & Expo
When: July 16-18, 2026 Where: Grand Hyatt Denver, Denver, CO CLE: Paralegal-focused CE
The NALA Conference & Expo is designed for paralegals and legal assistants. Its growing technology track covers AI in legal practice, emerging tools, and operational efficiency.
Firms looking to invest in staff development and technical training for support teams will find this conference particularly valuable.
7. ILTACON
When: August 23-27, 2026 Where: Gaylord Opryland, Nashville, TN CLE: Yes
ILTACON is the International Legal Technology Association’s flagship five-day conference. With 4,000+ attendees and 80+ educational sessions, it is one of the most in-depth legal tech conferences in the world.
Content is peer-driven, with topics selected by ILTA volunteers. Core themes include AI and large language models, cybersecurity, legal process automation, and knowledge management. For firms seeking a deeply technical, practitioner-led experience, ILTACON stands out.
8. 8am Kaleidoscope
When: September 22-24, 2026 Where: Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV CLE: Yes (CLE and CPE credits for select sessions)
8am Kaleidoscope 2026 is the 8am 2nd annual customer conference, designed for solo practitioners through mid-size firm leaders. Kaleidoscope connects practice management, embedded payments, and firm growth strategy in one focused experience.
Attendees can expect 20+ breakout sessions on practice management, financial wellness, and performance strategy, along with keynote presentations from subject matter experts and 8am executive leadership. Interactive panels and roundtables create opportunities for meaningful peer discussion.
Live product demos showcase the latest updates from 8am solutions, including LawPay, MyCase, and CasePeer.
Early-bird pricing is available. Explore details and register for Kaleidoscope.
How to choose the right legal tech conference for your firm
Not every conference will be the right fit. Start by clarifying your goals. Are you evaluating new tools? Looking to earn CLE? Focused on AI strategy or operational performance?
Firm size and practice area matter. Immigration firms may prioritize AILA, while corporate-focused teams might lean toward CLOC or ACC. Solo and small firms often benefit from more focused environments where peer interaction is easier.
Budget and time are also important. Instead of trying to attend every event, many firms prioritize one or two legal tech conferences per year. Look for conferences that offer CLE credit to increase the return on your investment.
Finally, consider format. Large expo-style events like Legalweek and ABA TECHSHOW provide broad exposure. More focused gatherings, such as Kaleidoscope or CLOC, may offer deeper discussion and interactive sessions. Match the structure to your learning style and strategic priorities.
Stay ahead with 8am at legal tech events in 2026
The 2026 legal tech conference calendar is full of opportunities to learn, connect, and evaluate tools that support your firm’s growth.
Whether you meet our team at Legalweek, ABA TECHSHOW, or join us in Las Vegas for Kaleidoscope, 8am is committed to helping legal professionals build stronger, more efficient practices.
Secure your spot early and register for Kaleidoscope 2026. If you’d like to see how 8am solutions fit into your workflow, schedule a demo with our team.
Common questions about legal tech conferences
Do legal tech conferences offer CLE credit?
Many do, including ABA TECHSHOW, ILTACON, Legalweek, and Kaleidoscope. CLE availability varies by session, so review each conference’s accreditation details in advance. Attending tech-focused events that offer CLE allows you to meet professional requirements while expanding your technical knowledge.
How much do legal tech conferences cost?
Registration fees vary widely. Many events offer early-bird pricing, group discounts, or tiered passes. Plan for $500–$2,000+ in registration fees, plus travel and accommodations. Firms often allocate these expenses to professional development or marketing budgets.
Are legal tech conferences worth it for solo practitioners?
Yes. Solo attorneys often gain significant value from hands-on demos, peer networking, and practical sessions. Smaller or more focused events—such as Kaleidoscope—can be especially helpful for solo and small firm lawyers seeking direct access to product teams and actionable guidance.