When you’re a major Biglaw firm with big budgets and dedicated IT professionals, major legal technology vendors eagerly court your business. Small firms willing to commit to one of the bigger practice management providers can attend some wonderful user conferences and learn about a whole ecosystem of partner products.
But at a certain point, lawyers need tech to better provide for their clients and they don’t have Am Law 100 resources or the need to lock into a whole brand. Where do they go for a survey of the field of available products?
On October 10, HeyCounsel — which bills itself as “a 230+ strong community of vetted, thoughtful & committed lawyers who are building their practices together” — hosted its first Demo Day, a gathering of legal technology vendors focused on the small, solo, and fractional lawyer markets. The event invited 16 companies to present their tools and services, offering attorneys a chance to evaluate emerging solutions in a collaborative setting.
The format was straightforward: each vendor had eight minutes to showcase their technology, followed by a four-minute Q&A. The day was split into morning and afternoon sessions, with attendees casting votes to select the most compelling offering by the end of the event.
The featured technologies spanned a range of applications. Reclaim.ai, for instance, is a scheduling tool that integrates with existing calendars to streamline time management. PointOne provides an AI-powered timekeeping and pre-bill review platform. GC AI offers a generative AI system designed for in-house counsel, with automated document drafting and up-to-date strategic advice. Other tools aimed at contract automation, client communications, and compliance tracking.
In addition to the main event, HeyCounsel provides other resources for its members, such as curated templates, discounts on tech products, and opportunities to connect with peers and mentors. These offerings, along with events like Demo Day, reinforce the organization’s focus on empowering lawyers to make informed choices about their practices.
Events like these allow lawyers to see live presentations and engage directly with creators while surrounded by peers facing the same obstacles. Never underestimate the value of hearing someone ask the one perfect question you couldn’t quite think of in the moment.
Plus, networking with friends is a better use of your time than scouring online reviews. You spend enough time by yourself in a solo practice… don’t let all that isolation make you weird.
Joe Patrice is a senior editor at Above the Law and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. Feel free to email any tips, questions, or comments. Follow him on Twitter or Bluesky if you’re interested in law, politics, and a healthy dose of college sports news. Joe also serves as a Managing Director at RPN Executive Search.