Whether you’re a lawyer or whether you provide other legal services, participating in legal services tradeshows can increase your company's visibility in the industry and attract potential clients — if you plan your participation strategically. You want to make sure you’re choosing the best trade show for the services you provide, so you first need to research the available legal services trade shows.

Legal services trade shows range from specialized events like lawyer tradeshows to more general events featuring vendors that provide ancillary legal services. Decide upon the niche that will best suit you and gather legal services trade show information to help make your participation a good investment. As you create a plan for your trade show, consider the following:

1. Examine legal services trade show directories to get a feel for the range of opportunities.
2. Locate well-attended legal services and lawyer trade shows.
3. Join professional associations to increase your trade show opportunities.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out a legal services trade show directory to find the most opportunities

Legal services trade show directories put all the trade show information you need in one place. Though they don't generally provide more than a general overview of the available tradeshows, they do provide a quick way to see what events you may be able to participate in over the coming year.

I recommend: Thompson West, a provider of legal resources and services, sponsors legal events like conferences and expos, and they provide a directory of these events on their website. At FindLaw, you can view a more comprehensive legal services trade show directory.

Focus your efforts on the legal services tradeshows that will give you the most visibility

While knowing the available legal services trade shows is important, you need to select the ones that will best promote the services you offer. Looking for a niche show, such as a lawyer trade show, or looking for the most important shows in the industry can help ensure that your message meets willing ears.

I recommend: One prominent niche show is Legal Tech, the leading legal technology trade show, which is perfect if your legal services involve technological solutions. Another niche show is the National Association of Legal Assistants Convention, which specifically targets paralegals. For general counsel industry leaders, look to the General Counsel Conference.

Join professional associations for early notice about upcoming legal services tradeshows

If you want to keep on top of upcoming events, one of the best ways is to join professional legal associations. These associations will monitor trade shows and conventions for you, and will alert you when one is coming up. Additionally, some professional organizations sponsor legal services tradeshows, so being a member gives you an advantage for early registration and marketing opportunities.

I recommend: The American Bar Association is one of the largest legal associations in the world with far-reaching networking and professional opportunities. Find a number of trade show opportunities through a membership. Take advantage of early registration and sponsorship opportunities at the tradeshows put on by the American Association for Justice. As a member, you'll receive regular updates about upcoming events, such as the Winter Convention, which attracts nearly 2000 attorneys annually.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you plan on providing any legal advice when you participate in a legal services tradeshow or lawyer tradeshow, or if you are a lawyer actively soliciting at a tradeshow, look into state laws governing your actions to ensure you're complying with local laws as well as your own state's laws. It's useful to get legal services trade show advice from the tradeshow organizers.