Introduction to Legal Symposia
The definition of a legal symposium is a formal meeting or conference for the discussion of legal issues. A symposium is generally open only to legal professionals and is intended to be an educational program specific to one or more areas of law. The discussions may consist of remarks by an expert in the field , followed by a discussion that may include other industry experts. These events are intended to provide insight into legal issues not yet available to the public.
A legal symposium differs from other types of legal gatherings such as conferences and seminars in that a legal symposium may be attended only by attorneys or legal professionals and invited guests. While anyone in a related industry may attend a legal conference, this is not the case for a legal symposium. Only legal professionals or invited guests may attend a legal symposium.
Understanding the Significance of a Legal Symposium
Across the legal community, from corporate counsel to intellectual property attorneys involved in the emerging fields of AI or software technology, many professionals are embracing the opportunity to attend legal symposia on new legal issues, trends and challenges. In many instances, these events are designed to educate and inform lawyers, legal professionals, business leaders, as well as anyone that counsel with organizations or otherwise interact with them to work through key legal issues of importance to their company or practice.
Companies and legal professionals have begun to invest more and more in these kinds of legal events, as they have become powerful enough to move the needle on everything from finding new FCC spectrum licenses to developing legal guidance on best practices for Artificial Intelligence (AI). Whether it is finding out about new FCC policies and rules, or even blockchain, these events have continually become more sophisticated in delivering high level subject matter expertise to key stakeholders in the legal field.
Particularly in the past year, when so many industries are facing new challenges brought on by rapid technological advances, these events can provide the information and guidance needed to help businesses and professionals make informed decisions going forward.
For legal professionals that do not get to attend these events or hear from the speakers or companies that may have been presenting at these events, there are a number of other legal issues that are worth paying attention to from these events. For much of 2019, AI has continued to dominate the conversation. And while not new by any means, AI technology has continued to be the subject of various government actions and rulemakings.
Networking and connecting with other legal professionals have changed in a number of ways. These legal events are particularly important for building new relationships and networks going forward. There will be plenty of opportunity for us to continue to network in the coming month, a congress in the fall, and a global conference in February are just two areas where legal professionals have an opportunity to network with one another and other stakeholders. As is the case on a number of other occasions in automotive, transportation and technology, your competition likely already understands these issues. Oftentimes, those who get ahead of the trends, will reap plentiful benefits.
Common Subjects Discussed at a Legal Symposium
Legal symposia cover a wide array of topics, typically relating to emerging legal trends, regulatory changes, and case law developments. Each year, as new laws are enacted or revised, and as courts hand down new rulings, symposia become a convenient place for legal practitioners to meet and discuss the latest in their field.
Regulatory updates are one of the most popular topics at symposia. Lawyers in niche practice areas will often hold conferences that cover the latest regulations in their field so that their colleagues can stay on top of the most recent industry standards and practices. For instance, there are numerous international conference series covering international trade law updates, intellectual property issues and environmental law updates. These conferences occur a few times a year and allow legal practitioners who may be geographically dispersed and who may focus on different aspects of international updated regulations to meet and share information about the latest legal changes.
One of the most common topics discussed at legal symposia is global legal news and developments in regulations and case law. For example, if you’re an intellectual property lawyer, you may want to attend a conference that highlights dynamic updates in global trademark news. However, even general legal practitioners may find these symposiums useful. That’s because global legal developments frequently provide insight into news and changes impacting Americans regarding everything from international trade to diplomacy and other legal matters that may have shockwaves across the world.
Preparing for a Legal Symposium
Preparation is key for legal symposia, not only to ensure that the event itself proceeds smoothly and professionally, but also to ensure that attendees are well-prepared to contribute and to make the most of their experience at the symposium. While the required prerequisites for attendance are typically only that you be a member of the appropriate bar associations, the following will ensure that you are as effective and prepared as possible both leading up to, as well as during, the symposium:
- Review symposia materials as they are provided More often than not, symposia leaders and panelists will prepare a broad range of materials designed to provide perspectives on the discussed issues and reference points for legal precedent applicable to such issues. Access the material, review it in advance and do your best to commit all applicable information to memory. This will ensure the strongest presentation possible when you present your topic or serve as a moderator.
- Be prepared to answer questions from the audience Attendees are in attendance to expand their knowledge of the issues at hand, and as such, have a vested interest in the outcome of the discussions. If you are asked a question, particularly one that falls outside of your scope, address the issue with careful consideration. If you do not know the answer, refer them to another panelist that may be able to provide the information they are looking for. Alternatively, provide them with a supplementary way to access the information they are seeking for their own edification.
- Above all, keep the discussion civil While mid-presentations debates offer great insight into the state of certain legal issues, it is important to maintain a level of professionalism. If you do find yourself in opposition with a point being made, provide a counterpoint based on fact, not opinion or emotion. Always refer to case law and precedent that backs your position in an effort to diffuse situations that may otherwise get out of hand. Additionally, focus on the matter at hand and refuse to engage in any issue outside of the intended discussion.
Making the Most of Your Symposium Attendance
A legal symposium presents an opportunity to advance both your knowledge and your career, however you must first unlock its potential. These conferences often host legal minds from across the industry spectrum, from young students to veteran professionals. Each participant is there for a purpose and finding those people and your own purpose(s) should be your first goal. Be sure to understand the event’s itinerary in advance and arrive familiarized. For example, many times, symposiums are divided into two major sections, sessions and discussions. Legal sessions can be any topic related to law, while a discussion might be one of those topics in a more conversational format, such as round table or night school. Prepare accordingly by reading up, perhaps even researching some of the speakers and panelists beforehand. As you work your way through the various parts of the schedule, mix in time to actively participate in as many discussions and sessions as possible. Jump into conversation when appropriate and ask follow-up questions . Not every event is focused on lectures and some might be structured, dance-floor like, to encourage conversation. Always look for opportunities to engage. At any legal symposium, it’s the networking that pays off most. Creating and maintaining relationships with peers is always crucial in law. The best and brightest minds are likely attending any legal symposium, so it’s your chance to find those people and connect. Be professional and courteous, even well received conversations can turn awkward. Keep your distance with cell phones nearby, but making calls is out of the question. Using social media is a more appropriate route to exchanging information and allowing room for privacy, though it’s also advisable to steer clear of sensitive subjects. You should also maintain your distance from alcohol. Once offered, it’s typically expected that a drink is followed up to the last drop. With these tips in mind, you’ll be more well-equipped to navigate any legal symposium. It may require a bit more effort than simply sitting in the back and observing, but the rewards can be powerful.
The Value of Virtual and In-Person Symposia
The convenience of video conferencing means that legal professionals can attend symposia from anywhere in the world; there’s no need to book a flight or take any time off of work. In the last year, virtual meetings have become more popular than ever, especially for large conferences. Global legal organizations, like the International Law Section of the American Bar Association, expect at least 25% of their members to be online, and they offer live streaming of all their programs’ educational sessions. Yet attending in person still has its advantages. At what point do you pay a premium rate to attend a symposium in-person? And when should you settle for a virtual meeting? In this section, I will discuss some of the pros and cons of attending both virtual and in-person legal symposia.
If you are trying to earn continuing legal education credits, this will depend on how many programs you plan to attend. For example, if you only want to complete one program online, then you’re better off sticking to an in-person meeting; virtual meetings are usually at least two hours long. Conversely, think about how many hours of lectures you can sit through in one day. Planning on attending five such programs in a single conference? Sound exhausting-even if it’s virtual? In that case, an in-person symposium might be more compelling.
When it comes to virtual versus in-person attendence, one thing is certain: a creative facilitator will probably be able to keep you more engaged in an in-person symposium than a virtual program. If you’re worried about getting distracted with your email and texts (and yes, you might want to stop typing a moment and call someone instead), consider how "in" you are when attending these meetings.
Emerging Trends in Legal Symposia
Looking ahead, the role of technology in legal symposia is expected to grow, as organizers seek to create more engaging experiences. For example, augmented and virtual reality are being explored as ways to create immersive environments for attendees, as well as how smart devices and data analytics can better connect participants before, during and after the symposium. The use of audience response systems is growing, and is being expertly tied into the materials presented at symposiums, to assist in keeping participants engaged and involved. Gamification is also becoming increasingly popular at legal symposiums, using complex competitive events to get audiences involved . Increased engagement, particularly among younger members of the bar, may therefore be a driving force in the development of legal symposiums in the future. Conversely, while some legal professional societies are benefitting from the increasing trend toward smaller, more local events, others may see a decreasing value in their traditional, larger, flagship events, due to competition from smaller local events, virtual symposiums hosted by other organizations, and private educational offerings such as those offered by U.S. electronic CLE providers.