The ABA TECHSHOW Conference and Expo, held in Chicago from March 25-28, 2026, once again brought together legal professionals and technology. With presentations on technology trends, industry expertise, and hands-on product demonstrations, TECHSHOW focused on using technology intentionally to build more efficient, client-centered practices. Members of our PMAP team attended this year’s conference and compiled the following highlights and key takeaways.

Start-Up Pitch Competition

Since its launch 10 years ago, the Start-Up Pitch Competition has become a favorite among attendees. Representatives from fifteen legal start-ups took the stage and were given three minutes each to pitch their product. Attendees chose the winner. This year’s prize went to collbox, an accounts receivable assistant designed to streamline collections. Integrating with your practice management or accounting software, it analyzes past-due bills and begins automatic outreach on behalf of your firm to assist with bill collection. By combining friendly automated email reminders, invoice resends, and guided payment instructions with a layer of human follow-up, it aims to improve recovery rates while reducing administrative burden.

Key Themes from TECHSHOW 2026

Across nearly 60 sessions, several themes emerged. At the forefront, speakers addressed the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal practice. Many legal professionals remain uncertain about how to incorporate AI and are concerned about its long-term impact on the profession. Both the opening and closing keynote speakers addressed these questions, ultimately landing on a shared message: AI will significantly reshape legal work, but it will not replace legal professionals. Instead, it will require you to pivot into more of a “human lawyer” role. This role emphasizes long-term relationship-building, client guidance, and trust. As routine and repetitive tasks become increasingly automated, legal professionals will have more opportunities to focus on strategic thinking and client-centered service.

Beyond AI, sessions highlighted the need for stronger office systems, more thoughtful use of technology, and data-driven approaches to running a law firm:

• Building a Tech Stack Tailored to Your Firm - One of the most practical takeaways this year was that building an effective tech stack is less about the number of tools and more about how well they align with your workflows. Firms should first define and document how work gets done, breaking it into clear phases, tasks, and responsibilities. From there, technology can be selected to support those workflows. Automation is now “table stakes,” otherwise known as the minimum offering acceptable to compete in the market. It helps reduce risk and improve efficiency through tools like integrated intake and client communication systems. Just as importantly, technology decisions should reflect your firm’s goals and practice area needs, and successful implementation depends on early staff involvement to ensure buy-in and long-term success.

• Use Technology to Manage People and Measure Success - Leading effectively in a tech-enabled practice requires intentional systems. One example highlighted how structured intake through use of scripted questions, decision trees, and clear criteria, can increase your rate of conversion from potential clients to clients. Tracking outcomes across staff, reviewing intake calls, and using consistent feedback loops allows management to identify what’s working and then coach for improvement. When paired with a leadership approach focused on accountability and support, these systems drive continuous growth.

• Time Management is a Systems Problem – Time management challenges are rarely about time itself, but stem from a lack of reliable systems. Several tips were provided to help improve your systems to avoid time management issues:

  • Use calendars more proactively to control your time, not just track information. Do this by blocking time for focused work and administrative tasks, add buffers between commitments, and plan priority work first. Know your productivity hours and schedule tasks accordingly.

  • Batch similar tasks by separating deep work from more routine tasks.

  • Email should be treated as a communication tool and not a running to-do list.

  • Regular habits like weekly reviews and planning ahead help keep priorities on track. Each day consider implementing a 10 minute “shut-down routine” by identifying your top three priorities for the next day. Each Friday, block off two hours to combine all your tasks in a master to-do list and add them to your calendar.

60 in 60

The finale and another fan favorite of TECHSHOW is the 60 tips in 60 minutes session, offering valuable tech tips. A few standout tips included:

• Numen Air is a global portable WiFi device to avoid unreliable connections while traveling.

• When traveling and you need a printer, consider the Phomemo wireless thermal printer.

• If you struggle with typing on your phone, the Sikai Case foldable Bluetooth keyboard attaches to your phone using a built-in stand.

• Collaboration in Word can be a challenge when multiple people are making changes. Go to ‘Show Markup’, and then click on ‘Specific People’ to show only changes made by a certain person.

• Lack of charging stations at in-person events can be frustrating to say the least. Anker power banks come with multiple outlets for charging various devices. If traveling by plane, be sure to check TSA requirements before packing a power bank.

• Turn text, images, and PDFs into calendar events using agenda hero.

• Struggle with coming up with a prompt that fits the ask? Go to prompts.chat, where you can discover and collect sample prompts.

The main takeaway from TECHSHOW is simple. Technology is only as effective as the systems behind it. When aligned with clear workflows and supported by your team, it can be a powerful tool for improving efficiency, consistency, and client service. To discuss these takeaways, or any other practice management questions, please contact us at 503.639.6911 or submit an inquiry through our website. For additional resources, head to our website at www.osbplf.org > Services > CLEs & Resources. To access our discounts page for discounts on certain software programs, go to www.osbplf.org > Services > Discounts.