In a post here six years ago entitled The two tech trade shows to attend, I wrote:

Having attended way too many legal-technology trade shows over the course of my career, I can state with certainty that there are only two each year you really should attend if you care about keeping current with the field — LegalTech New York in January and ABA TechShow in April. Sure, there are probably hundreds of technology trade shows put on by local, state and national bars and private companies. But companies that know anything about the legal market save their most important announcements of new product launches and major upgrades for these shows.

My opinion has not changed. With this year’s LegalTech now history, it is time to gear up for ABA TechShow 2009. It takes place April 2-4 at the Hilton Chicago.

You may notice a number of legal bloggers talking about TechShow today and tomorrow. The show’s organizers are encouraging bloggers to spread the word about TechShow in a two-day “Blawger Blitz.” They even sent out a list of talking points.

But no blitzes or bullet points are needed to get me to urge you attend. I’ve blogged about TechShow dozens of times over the years. I attend as often as I’m able, I’ve had the honor to speak there several times, and I’ve even podcast live from TechShow. It is generally a very different show than LegalTech. The most notable difference is that it skews more towards lawyers in solo and small firms than does LegalTech. In fact, the second day of the show, Friday, is Solo and Small Firm Day, with a special one-day admission price and two special tracks of programming.

The TechShow Web site has everything you need to know about speakers, programs and registration. Updates and related information are posted at the TechShow Blog. Hope to see you in Chicago in April.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.