First Keynote Speaker Announced

Visionary. Trailblazer. Global authority on the future of legal services. 

We are honored to welcome Professor Richard Susskind CBE KC (Hon) as our featured keynote speaker for the 2026 Futures Conference. No name is more synonymous with the future of law than Richard Susskind’s. For over four decades, he has shaped how the legal world thinks about transformation, technology, and tomorrow. His insights into artificial intelligence, online courts, and the evolution of professional services have influenced governments, judiciaries, and legal organizations across the globe.

Click here for more information about Richard and his impressive credentials  

2026 Futures Conference Venue

We will gather at Practicing Law Institute's Anita C. Shapiro Conference Center (1177 6th Ave., New York, NY 10036), a state-of-the-art facility situated in midtown Manhattan, which embodies the principle that "the best opportunities arise when we come together to meet, discuss, share, and learn from each other." This center honors the legacy of PLI’s President Emerita, the first woman to hold their presidency, who served until her passing in 2020. Anita was also a COLPM Fellow. Click here for a conference overview and here for the preliminary schedule.
 

Conference Planning Team 

We are delighted to introduce members of the College's 2026 Futures Conference Planning Team—an inspiring group of leaders whose expertise, diverse perspectives, and unwavering commitment will guide the next chapter of our College’s legacy.

Guided by our vision to elevate professionalism, foster meaningful engagement, and amplify the many voices that define our field, this year’s planning team brings together some of the most respected and innovative minds in law practice management. Their collaboration ensures our conference will not only celebrate tradition, but also anticipate the emerging challenges and opportunities ahead.

Click here to meet the 2026 Futures Conference Planning Team.

Black-Tie Gala is Back: A Night to Honor Excellence

Kick off the conference with a night of recognition and connection. Join us Monday, February 23, 2026, for an elegant evening at the "Robert," atop the Museum of Arts & Design at Columbus Circle. This stunning venue—with floor-to-ceiling views of Central Park—sets the scene for honoring the profession’s brightest innovators and newest inductees into the College. The evening includes:

• Formal Induction of the 2026 Class of College Fellows
• Presentation of the Michael Mills InnovAction Award
• Cocktail Reception with Seated Dinner and Entertainment
• Meaningful Connections with Legal Innovation Leaders

Registered attendees and their ticketed guests are invited to attend. Limited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so you'll want to register early for the 2026 Annual Meeting and Futures Conference! 

Futures Forum 

Understanding the Impact of Geopolitical Risks on the Legal Industry

Join us September 18 at 12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT / 9 a.m. PT for an engaging one-hour webinar exploring how geopolitical risks are reshaping the legal industry. From global conflicts and economic sanctions to regulatory changes and shifting trade policies, this session will examine the challenges and opportunities these risks create for professionals in the legal industry.  A panel of experts will discuss how law firms, in-house counsel, and others involved in the business of law can prepare and adapt. Attendees will gain actionable insights to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world. 

Panelists:

• Michael J. McKenney, Managing Director, Citi Global Wealth at Work—Law Firm Group; 
• Bruce Thompson II, Partner and Government & Public Policy Group Leader at Parker Poe;
• Sean West, Co-founder at Hence AI; and
• Terri Pepper (Moderator), CEO, TerraLex

Click here for speaker bios and here to register. 

In Memoriam

The College Fellows In Memoriam pages capture College Fellows’ personal memories of their friends and colleagues, and remembrances of their contributions to the profession. If you would like to contribute a message or memory to the In Memoriam pages, please write the College Administrator.

John Hanley, 1944-2025
Elizabeth Lura Turner (Betsy), 1929-2025
Paul Graham Ulrich, 1938-2025