Exploring Innovations and Concerns at ABA Techshow 2025
April 4, 2025, 11:30 am CDT
The 40th annual ABA Techshow brought together over 80 speakers and numerous dynamic presentations at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. (Photo by Victor Li/ABA Journal)
Introduction to Tech Trends in Law
The ABA Techshow 2025, held at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, serves as a hub for legal professionals eager to navigate the evolving landscape of technology within their practices. The event showcases both emerging tools and enduring concerns, prompting discussions around the integration of technology in legal work.
New Learners in a Tech-Savvy Environment
Ron Kneiser, an estate planning attorney from Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, openly acknowledged his unfamiliarity with artificial intelligence. His attendance at Techshow marked a significant step towards understanding new legal technologies. Kneiser stated, “The time is right to do it. I’m trying to figure out who has really figured that out there who will make it simple for me.”
The conference featured more than 80 speakers across numerous sessions, providing ample learning opportunities for attendees like Kneiser, who was scouting vendors to address his firm’s needs. “Maybe Clio?” he pondered, highlighting his search for effective case management solutions.
Exploring Legal Technology’s Landscape
Another participant, Matt Dejewski, an in-house attorney from Itasca, Illinois, compared the rise of legal technologies to a gold rush, suggesting that the true beneficiaries are the suppliers. Preceding his first Techshow experience, Dejewski expressed a desire to discover tools robust enough to meet his company’s standards, stating simply, “I’m trying to find the needle in the haystack.”
Insights from Experienced Practitioners
Joining them was Shelley Kester, president of Wilson Kester, a family law firm in Traverse City, Michigan. As someone who is already exploring AI, Kester sought innovative solutions at the conference, particularly in case management and contract lifecycle management. Having expanded her firm from four to 23 attorneys, she reflected on the prevalence of AI in the legal space and posed the question, “How could anyone keep up?”
Kester highlighted her belief that essential aspects of legal work involve relationships and problem-solving, cautioning against seeing technology as a replacement for human connection: “People want to know that they’re not just becoming a statistic or a bot.”
Looking Ahead
As technologies evolve at a rapid pace, Kester remains optimistic yet mindful of the changes. “What you get excited about today could be very different in three months,” she remarked, suggesting that continuous learning and adaptation are essential. She plans to return to Techshow in the future for further insights and advancements.
The ABA Techshow offers a vital forum for legal professionals to engage with emerging tools while addressing age-old concerns about technology in the industry. The interplay between innovation and the human elements of law remains a key theme as attendees look to shape the future of their practices.
