What I Like About Solo and Small Firm Conferences

Oklahoma LPM “czar” Jim Calloway has some great words on the dynamism of solo and small firm conferences and fellow leader, Reid Trautz offers his thoughts as well.  From Jim’s post:

But what these [solo and small firm] conferences share is extremely important. They always have energy and excitement. There are always groups of lawyers excitedly chatting in the halls. There are always vendors with an opportunity to visit with more lawyers from more different communities than they could in months on the road. There is always a pair of lawyers who haven’t seen each other in a long time catching up. There’s always great CLE programming targeted to the needs of solo and small firm lawyers. There’s usually a lot of loud conversation, along with laughter. There are always lawyers getting questions answered that have puzzled them for a long time.

I concur with Jim and Reid of course.  But what I appreciate most about solo and small firm conferences is that they’re so cheap!  Take a look at some of these prices – the Indiana Solo and Small Firm Conference cost $250 for walk ins, while the Maryland State Bar Association’s upcoming solo conference comes in at $160 which is the highest priced option (2 days, non-MSBA member).  Contrast that with the ABA’s annual conferences, which cost $570 for members, and $775 for non members. So, ABA, if you still really want us solos to consider joining, why not take a lesson in price structure from your solo and small firm sibling organizations?