How To Network at Legal Marketing Conferences in 2025
It’s always a great idea for attorneys to get out there and network with peers and industry leaders to learn more about legal marketing trends, technology, and social media platforms that can impact your law firm’s lead generation and conversion rates.
Now more than ever, with the meteoric rise of AI and social media influencers, a law firm can’t rest on its laurels and get left behind in the highly competitive field of legal marketing. One of the best ways to network effectively as an attorney is to attend legal marketing conferences.
7 Tips for Effective Networking
Your effectiveness at networking will depend on your approach, and you want to make the most out of every hour at a conference. Here are some handy tips for effective networking:
Be Prepared
Dress well, be confident, make sure your technology is working, and plan ahead for unexpected contingencies.
Set a Target/Goal
What do you hope to accomplish at a conference? Whatever it is – land two new clients, meet an industry titan, get invited to speak at next year’s conference – make sure you have a target and achieve it.
Always Be Ready to Give Your Pitch
Be equipped to market yourself on the spot. Have your 30-second elevator pitch memorized and speak persuasively about your legal services when the opportunity arises.
Ask Questions and Actively Listen
Express interest in other attendees’ work and they’ll be more likely to express interest in yours.
Give and Get Referrals
When you meet new people at a conference and learn about what they do, you can offer to pass on their name and contact info to any of your current or future acquaintances that might need their services. This creates goodwill. Referral marketing for lawyers (creating a powerful referral network) is one of the best and most cost-effective ways to market your law firm.
Keep Track of Time
Each segment of a conference has a limited amount of time. A break-out session may be 45 minutes; breakfast may be 30 minutes; a cocktail reception may be 90 minutes. Make sure you accomplish your networking goal in each session – don’t let the time slip by while you are reading emails on your phone or thinking about other things.
Stay in Touch After the Conference
Networking continues even after the conference is over and you return home. Follow up with emails or texts to the new people you met at a conference and look for ways to stay in touch in the future.
The LinkedIn QR Code: Your Digital Business Card
If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, it’s well worth your time to create one. This is an easy way to market yourself, provide easy access to your CV, and establish yourself as a leader in your legal specialty. A profile is free, and each LinkedIn member has their own unique QR code associated with their profile. Rather than swapping business cards at a conference, you can simply offer your LinkedIn QR code on your phone to a new person you meet at a conference, they can scan it with their phone’s camera; just like that, they have your digital resume and contact info. It’s easy to access your LinkedIn QR code and use it. Start by downloading the most current version of the LinkedIn mobile app. Our blog titled LinkedIn for Lawyers can walk you through the process and explain LinkedIn’s power in the legal industry.
Upcoming Conferences in 2025
Gladiator Law Marketing has put together this list of upcoming conferences in 2025, and we hope it is useful to attorneys. If you want to take your law firm marketing to the next level, need help writing legal blogs, or want to redesign your website, give our award-winning Gladiator team a call for a free consultation at 855-204-0291.
- Legal Marketing Association (LMA) Annual Conference
When: April 23-25, 2025
Where: Washington, D.C. (Washington Hilton)
What: With many break-out sessions and dozens of speakers over three days, this conference offers insights and useful tools for business development and legal marketing strategies. Link: https://conference.legalmarketing.org
- American Bar Association (ABA) Annual and Midyear Meetings
The American Bar Association (ABA) has various meetings and networking events throughout the year across the country. Consider these:
What: 2025 ABA Annual Meeting
When: August 6-12, 2025
Where: Toronto, Canada
What: 2025 Midyear Meeting
When: January 29-February 3, 2025
Where: Phoenix, AZ
Link: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/departments_offices/meetings_travel_dept/future-past-meetings/
- American Bar Association (ABA) TechShow 2025
When: Feb. April 2-5, 2025
Where: Chicago IL (Hyatt Regency)
What: Brings together lawyers and technology professionals to explore the latest apps, software, and tech tools available to build your practice. Link: https://www.techshow.com
- International Legal Technology Association Conferences
What: ITLA Evolve Conference. Security and artificial intelligence for law firms. Link: https://www.iltanet.org/live-events/evolve
When: April 27-30, 2025
Where: Myrtle Beach, SC
What: Catalyst: Women Leading Change Link: https://www.iltanet.org/live-events/catalyst
When: March 13, 2025
Where: New York / Dallas / Atlanta / Chicago
- Clio Cloud Conference 2025
When: October 16-17, 2025
Where: Boston, MA
What: Networking, panel discussions, technology tradeshow, and keynote speakers discuss new and emerging trends in the legal industry. Link: https://cliocloudconference.com
- Great Legal Marketing Programs
When: Throughout the year
What: Information, coaching, and master groups for marketing small law firms and solo practitioners. Link: https://www.greatlegalmarketing.com/glmprograms
- Association of National Advertisers (ANA) 2025 Masters of Advertising Law Conference
When: November 3-5, 2025
Where: Chicago, IL (Marriott Magnificent Mile)
What: Explores issues around advertising, marketing and the law. Link: https://www.ana.net/conference/show/id/BAALAW-NOV25
- Law.com Legal Week 2025
When: March 24-27, 2025
Where: New York City
What: With more than 8,000 attendees, legal professionals gather to network and discuss the changing legal landscape with keynote speakers and break-out sessions on legal trends and all things law. Link: https://www.event.law.com/legalweek
- Content Marketing World 2025
When: September 15-17, 2025
Where: San Diego, CA
What: Content is king when it comes to marketing your law firm online. Content must be informative, well-researched, authoritative, and trustworthy. The field of content marketing is growing exponentially. Now in its 15th year, Content Marketing World (hosted by the Content Marketing Institute) brings together marketing leaders, content creators, agencies, and creative professionals. Topics include AI in marketing, analytics, brand strategies, content ROI, and many more. Link: https://www.contentmarketingworld.com
