The Best Conferences for Solicitors in 2024 — Including Legal CPD/CLE Events

Keeping up to date with the changes in the legal profession can be hugely challenging. As the legal industry rapidly evolves, it is ever more important that lawyers keep learning and growing.

Often, one of the best ways of keeping pace with change is by attending legal conferences. Attending a legal conference allows professionals to network with industry leaders, discuss the latest advances, and take their careers and firms to the next level. Yet, with so many legal conferences available, determining the best one to invest your time, money, and energy in can be overwhelming.

This guide will help you choose the best conferences for solicitors. But first, we’ll ask the critical question of why you should attend a legal conference.

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What are the Benefits of Attending Legal Conferences?

The best legal conferences cover the most pertinent and challenging issues in the legal profession today. For instance, can you navigate AI issues and how your firm might adopt AI? These conferences delve into the latest developments in specific fields of law and offer insights into marketing strategy and growing your legal practice. By attending, you’ll gain a wealth of knowledge that will keep you informed and ahead in your profession.

Attending these conferences can also provide insights into various forms of legal assistance, such as community legal advice and pro bono services offered by legal service providers.

Networking and building professional relationships within the legal community

One of the significant advantages of attending legal conferences is the chance to forge strong relationships with fellow solicitors through various networking events. Legal conferences bring together like-minded professionals and are among the best, most natural places for lawyer networking. As a bonus, it is much easier to resolve issues arising in cases when you’ve met the solicitor on the other side!

Continuous Professional Development (CPD)/Continuing Legal Education (CLE) opportunities

Attending legal events allows you to build up CPD or CLE credits to satisfy your annual quota requirements. While your main focus for attending a legal conference is to gain knowledge, the bonus of accumulating CPD or CLE hours along the way is significant. It’s a testament to your commitment to continuous professional development and your capability as a legal professional.

Marketing and promotion

Effective legal marketing is essential for your law firm’s success. Legal conferences are excellent sources for learning the latest strategies for promoting your practice. Legal conferences are also great for connecting with vendors, solicitors and potential clients. 

What’s the Law Society’s view?

The Law Society promotes what it considers the best conferences and events for solicitors, allowing you to meet the leading experts in your practice area. You will also learn about recent updates and how they affect your business.

You must also take account of the SRA requirements that solicitors maintain their competence to carry out their role.

Key legal conferences for solicitors in the UK

There are some up-and-coming key legal conferences for solicitors in the UK. Most of these are in England, but there are a separate range of legal conferences in Scotland to cater to Scottish legal profession members. The following selection covers a range of legal and business topics, all geared to help extend your legal, professional and business education. These conferences address a diverse range of topics relevant to the legal sector. They highlight law firms’ unique marketing challenges and provide comprehensive solutions tailored specifically for the legal sector.

PI Futures

PI Futures is a popular annual conference run by Legal Futures, which takes place on September 19th 2024, in the Pendulum Hotel, Manchester. This year’s conference will debate the continuing reform agenda and examine how law firms adapt to a re-shaped Personal Injury (PI) market. There is also a networking opportunity on the evening before the conference with pre-conference drinks and canapes. The networking event starts at 6 pm on Wednesday, September 18th 2024, at The Fountain House, 14 Albert Square, Manchester M2 5PE. This is a great way to ease yourself into this important legal conference!

AML and Financial Crime Conference 2024

This conference, organised by the Law Society, will take place on Thursday, September 26th, 2024. It will be held at Park Plaza Victoria Hotel, London, 239 Vauxhall Bridge Road, Pimlico, London, SW1V 1EQ. It will feature specialists from the Law Society’s Economic Crime Task Force, the SRA, and experts across all legal sectors.

The conference will discuss the tension between GDPR and MLR, suspicious activity reporting, preparing for an independent audit and key Anti-money laundering (AML) updates. Importantly, this conference allows solicitors to ask questions of some high-profile AML experts.

Law Society Property Conference 2024

The Law Society Property Conference 2024 takes place on Wednesday, October 16th 2024, at The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL. This conference allows you to connect with colleagues, learn from industry experts, and stay up to date with the latest developments. Residential and commercial property law will be covered at the biggest property event of the year.

The Law Society Property Conference 2024 is part of the Society’s Property Week. This offers exclusive benefits to conference delegates.

London Law Expo 2024

This event takes place on October 3rd 2024 at etc. venues 133 Houndsditch, Liverpool St, London EC3A 7BX. The conference will focus on the business of law. The agenda has three streams: internal operations and management strategies, technological innovation, and the exploration of GenAI for driving efficiency.

The event’s inclusive content is designed for various roles in the legal sector, including marketing professionals.

In addition, the conference will “examine the ethical responsibilities and challenges facing leaders given the new regulatory boundaries whilst also considering opportunities for growth to meet client demands.”

The Law Society of Scotland Annual Conference

The annual conference of the Law Society of Scotland is a hybrid event with three days of online sessions and a final in-person event on the final day. The conference takes place between 28th – 31st October 2024, and the in-person event will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

The conference will also cover topics related to eligibility for legal aid and the importance of legal representation.

Day 4 of the conference allows delegates to network with like-minded Scottish lawyers while hearing from a range of excellent speakers. Notably, the final day comes with 5 hours of CPD! Details on how to attend and where to sign up can be found on the respective conference websites.

Law2024 Manchester

Law2024 Manchester is a one-day legal event taking place on Tuesday, 29th October 2024 at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester. Hosted by Clio, this event brings together legal professionals for networking and learning opportunities. Attendees can visit the Clio stand to discover the latest in legal technology and innovations. The event runs from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, offering insights into the future of law and practice management.

LegalEx 2024

LegalEx 2024 is a two-day event happening on November 27th -28th, 2024 at the ExCel Arena in London. Sponsored by Clio, the event will feature legal industry experts, offering insights into the future of legal technology and innovation. Attendees can visit the Clio stand for in-person discussions about law practice management tools. LegalEx is a free event and a great opportunity for networking and learning.

International Conferences Worth the Trip

Of course, you can widen your horizons and take a broader view by attending an international legal conference. The Academy of European Law (ERA) offers many EU-focused legal courses and seminars. Those involved in any element of EU law will be spoiled for choice if you want to attend the best conferences for solicitors for EU topics.

International conferences often cover topics related to cross-border dispute resolution and the expertise required in managing conflicts and legal disputes.

Of course, our very own ClioCon will take place between 7th and 8th October 2024 in Austin, Texas. It’s the biggest legal event of the year in the US. You will rub shoulders with influential leaders in the legal industry and discover the latest insights and strategies to drive the legal industry forward.

Attending a conference abroad expands your knowledge and presents international networking opportunities. You will learn about and appreciate the challenges facing lawyers in different jurisdictions and how they successfully overcome these.

Conference Categories and Specialisations

Sole Practitioner Conferences

Sole practitioners conferences cater specifically to their unique needs. These events provide a platform for lawyers to network, share best practices, and learn from industry experts. Attending these conferences can be particularly beneficial for enhancing practice management, marketing strategies, and technology adoption.

The Sole Practitioners Group (SPG) provides professional and pastoral support, training and regulatory representation to sole practitioners in England and Wales. Their forthcoming SPG Annual Top Table Event 2024 will be held on November 2nd 2024, at Hanbury Manor Marriot Hotel and Country Club. This event will “allow members to interact, communicate, ask questions, and get clarity on any burning issues they face in their practices, directly from key industry leaders and heads of our regulatory and representative bodies.”

By attending conferences like this, sole practitioners can connect with other legal professionals, vendors, and industry experts, gaining valuable insights and building a supportive network to help them thrive in the competitive legal market.

Intellectual Property Law Conferences

Intellectual property law conferences are essential for IP lawyers, patent attorneys, and other professionals working in intellectual property. These events focus on the latest developments and trends in IP law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Staying current with these changes is crucial for providing clients with effective legal representation and advice.

London IP Week 7.0 will take place on 11th and 12th December 2024 at America Square Conference Centre, London. This conference offers a “comprehensive two-day program, featuring keynote presentations, panel discussions, startup pitches, and fireside chats, promising a holistic exploration of patent tactics, generative AI, dispute resolution, and authenticity safeguarding.”

Attending conferences like this allows IP lawyers to network with other professionals, learn from industry experts, and stay informed about the latest developments in IP law. This knowledge is invaluable for maintaining a competitive edge in the legal market and delivering top-notch legal services to clients.

Employment Law Conferences

Employment law conferences are designed for employment lawyers, HR professionals, and other professionals working in employment law. These events focus on the latest developments and trends in employment litigation, labour relations, and workplace safety, providing attendees with the knowledge they need to navigate the complexities of employment law.

The Annual Employment Law Conference 2024 will take place on November 14th, 2024, at the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa, North Deeside Road, Pitfodels, Aberdeen AB15 9YA. This conference aims to provide attendees with “essential information, know-how and skills to deal with the demands of 21st-century employment law and personnel management in an informative and relaxed atmosphere in the company of fellow professionals.”

By attending these conferences, employment lawyers can network with other professionals, learn from industry experts, and stay updated on the latest developments in employment law. This knowledge is crucial for providing effective legal representation and advice to clients, ensuring compliance with employment regulations, and addressing workplace issues.

Immigration Law Conferences

Immigration law conferences are essential for immigration lawyers, law students, and other professionals working in the field. These events focus on the latest developments and trends in immigration law, including visa applications, deportation defence, and asylum law. Staying current with these changes is crucial for providing effective legal assistance to clients navigating the complex immigration system.

The Birmingham Immigration Law Conference 2025 will be held on Thursday, January 16th 2025. The venue, in Birmingham, will be confirmed closer to the event date. This conference is “essential for immigration lawyers, paralegals, caseworkers, and legal professionals dealing with UK immigration matters.”

Attending these conferences provides immigration lawyers with the opportunity to network with other professionals, learn from industry experts, and stay informed about the latest developments in immigration law. This knowledge is invaluable for maintaining a competitive edge in the legal market and delivering top-notch legal services to clients.

These conferences are essential for lawyers to stay updated on the latest trends and developments in their respective fields and to network with other professionals and industry experts.

Legal Technology Conferences

Undoubtedly, the best legal technology conference you can attend is the annual Clio Cloud Conference (ClioCon). Scheduled to take place in Austin, Texas, on October 7th and 8th, 2024, it’s the biggest Legal Tech event of the year. ClioCon brings together thousands of like-minded professionals for an experience that touches on all the best things that legal conferences can offer. It’s not too late to register, individually or as a team, and we’ll see you in Austin in October.

One of the important legal technology conferences is the Legal Geek Conference on this side of the pond. This is Europe’s largest legal tech conference. It runs for two days on 16th and 17th October 2024 and will take place at The Old Truman Brewery, 15 Hanbury Street, Shoreditch, London E1 6QR. This conference is for lawyers, in-house legal teams and technology companies supporting the legal industry. Our very own Jaime King, Clio’s Marketing Director, EMEA, will present at the event; this is one session not to be missed!

Tips for Maximising Your Conference Experience

Attending any conference for solicitors is an investment of time and money. That’s why it’s essential to make the best of it. Before you go, study the conference programme and plan which sessions you wish to attend. Don’t leave it till the day, as they might be full, and you will be unable to get in.

Go with an open mind, listen to the speakers and ask questions if you can. The more involved you are, the more likely you are to make the whole conference experience more enjoyable and memorable.

Speak to other solicitors who are attending and seek their views on the topics under discussion. Legal conferences offer excellent opportunities to network and build relationships with other lawyers and those in the legal industry.

On your return from a conference, put what you’ve learned into practice. Don’t let your new information and the latest advice go to waste. Importantly, share what you’ve learned with your colleagues. You never know when something you’ve learned will significantly impact your law firm!

Always make time for legal conferences every year

No matter where you’ve reached in your legal career, there’s always room to grow. The best legal conferences for solicitors are an efficient and effective way to invest in your career, your law firm’s future, and yourself.

It’s easy to get caught up with the day-to-day of your legal work. However, taking the time to attend legal conferences is valuable for your work as a lawyer.

If you attend one of many legal CPD/CLE conferences or an event focused on legal technology or your practice area, you must be prepared. You can prepare for the legal conference experience by reviewing the agenda, setting goals, and bringing an open mind.

Not sure where to start?

Consult Clio’s 2024 Legal Trends Report, which provides crucial information about the state of the legal industry. Understanding where the legal profession is going will help you set goals and stay on track—now and into the future.

We published this blog post in September 2024. Last updated: November 19, 2024.

Categorized in: Business