Tomorrow begins the week-long ABA TECHSHOW, the first virtual version of one of the world’s leading legal tech conferences. Kicking off the conference is the fifth annual Startup Alley pitch competition, featuring 15 up-and-coming legal tech startups competing for your votes.

Once again, I will be the moderator of the pitch competition, which begins at 11 a.m. Eastern time and runs for 90 minutes. Once again, the practice management company Clio is generously sponsoring the competition.

This is the first time the pitch competition will be virtual. It follows a months-long selection process that started last November, when we issued a call for entries. From all the entries we received, a panel of judges narrowed the applications down to 25, which we posted on Jan. 25. We then put the final 25 up for public voting, and on Feb. 15, we announced the 15 finalists.

Because of this year’s virtual format, pitches will be presented through pre-recorded 2.5 minute videos. In addition, each startup will have 30 seconds to give a live introduction.

After all the pitches are presented, the audience will vote using an electronic system. The winner gets a package of marketing and advertising prizes.

If you have not yet registered for TECHSHOW, it is not too late. Both single day and full week passes are available. Full pricing information is here.

Hope to see you there tomorrow.

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.