If you are looking for a great way to get your CLE hours in 2014, my favorite CLE every year is ABA TECHSHOW in Chicago. It is a great opportunity to learn about technology, see some of the latest in legal tech, and spend some time with some great people. This year, TECHSHOW is March 27 through 29, 2014.
Over the last few years, the number of sessions dedicated to the iPhone and iPad have increased substantially, and 2014 looks to be the best year ever for iPhone J.D. readers. The first day of the conference, Thursday March 27, features an entire track devoted to the iPad. The day starts with a session entitled “iPad in Action.” Next, there is a session called “iPad in Trial / iPad for Litigators” that I will be presenting along with Judge Hebert Dixon of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Judge Dixon is a tech-savvy judge who has been involved with ABA TECHSHOW for a long time, and I hope that we will be able to provide some great iPad tips for litigators from both sides of the bench.
The first session after lunch on Thursday is called “iGadgets and iGear for the iLawyer,” and Ben Stevens of The Mac Lawyer and I will team up to discuss all of the great accessories that you might consider using with your iPad. I’m sure that we will mention some cool iPhone accessories too. This is the first time that there will be a TECHSHOW session devoted to iPad accessories, and I’m looking forward to it. The final session on Thursday is called “Advanced iPad: Working with Word and So Much More,” and will provide tips for taking your iPad to the next level.
Then on Friday, there will be lots of sessions of interest to iPhone J.D. readers. For Mac users, there is an entire Mac track. There is also a Mobile track which includes sessions for lawyers who travel and using an iPad as a PC-replacement. There is also an entire track devoted to going Paperless. There is also a session devoted to Evernote users, a session in the Advanced IT track on mobile device security, and even some Android sessions for anyone curious what life is like on the other side of the tracks.
Saturday morning, TECHSHOW is bringing back 60 Apps in 60 Minutes, a fast-paced and fun session at which you are sure to learn about lots of new apps. I’m thrilled to see this session return to TECHSHOW after a one-year absence; I was a part of all of the prior 60 Apps sessions in 2010, 2011 and 2012. This year, my co-presenters for the 60 Apps session are D.C.-attorney Reid Trautz (Reid and I did the first two in 2010 and 2011), legal consultant Brett Burney (Brett joined me for the 2012 version, along with Josh Barrett of the gone-but-not-forgotten Tablet Legal website) and Ohio litigator Chad Burton. Reid, Brett, Chad and I are already talking about the apps that we will include in this year’s 60 Apps in 60 Minutes, and there are going to be some great ones.
When you are not attending a session, TECHSHOW also has a fantastic exhibitor hall. Last year, it was full of apps and hardware for iPhone and iPad users, giving you a great chance to try-before-you-buy and the opportunity to talk directly with the folks who create some of your favorite apps and accessories. I suspect that the iOS emphasis among exhibitors will be even greater in 2014.
Even if you are attending TECHSHOW by yourself, you don’t need to worry about eating dinner alone. On both Thursday and Friday nights, TECHSHOW will feature Taste of Techshow dinners. Each dinner is (loosely) organized around a topic, so just pick one that looks interesting and you can get to know 10 to 12 other folks with similar interests. Brett Burney and I will co-host a dinner on Thursday night, and I’ll post on iPhone J.D. when more details are available so that you can reserve a spot. I’ve made many friends during prior Taste of Techshow dinners who I still keep in touch with today.
So unlike prior years when there were some great iPhone/iPad sessions at TECHSHOW and then lots of other blocks of time devoted to other subjects, this year it will be possible to devote almost every minute of your time at TECHSHOW to something that relates to these mobile devices. To be honest, this just heightens the “problem” of TECHSHOW — with seven simultaneous tracks, interesting topics, talented speakers, and a vibrant exhibit hall, there are just too many great choices competing for your time throughout the day.
If all of this sounds interesting to you, I’d love to see you in Chicago in two months. You can get the lowest conference rate if you register by February 10, 2014, so make your plans over the next few weeks if you want to save a few bucks.