August law firm rankings, lists, awards and PR opportunities

Not sure if you’re hip enough to use the term “brat summer?” I’m here to tell you that you are — especially if you’re spending August pursuing awards, rankings and PR opportunities for law firms. The submission process can feel messy, complex and even unstable at times, but it’s powered by unapologetic confidence and badass accomplishments. That IS brat, my friend.

Speaking of the younger generation, several hundred of them have responded to Law360’s summer associates survey. The first of its two-part report found that a firm’s reputation and the culture it advertised were among the most important criteria for choosing a summer associateship. Just saying. Also, the no. 1 resource that respondents said they used to inform their decisions was the firm’s website, so make sure those bios and practice pages are looking sharp!

Here are the legal PR opportunities that are in full bloom this month:

• Legalweek 2025 — ALM is seeking panelists and moderators for its annual gathering in New York, where legal professionals will discuss business and regulatory trends, talent and technology. Get your proposals in by August 30.
  
• The KM&I LexPrize Innovation Award — Law firm and corporate legal department members of the KM&I community with an impactful project or initiative to showcase are eligible for this award. Finalists will present their projects at the annual conference on October 17. Nominations must be in by 5 p.m. ET on August 30.
  
• The Legal 500 U.S. is hosting a meet-the-editor webinar — It’s like a celebrity meet-and-greet, except it’s free and you don’t have to pose for an awkward picture! This should be a treasure trove of information about the research process, new deadlines, and do’s and don’ts for a good submission. The editors will be poised to answer your questions on September 4.
  
• Lawdragon has three upcoming deadlines to keep an eye on — Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers nominations are due August 23, 500 Leading Family Lawyers submissions are due September 13, and 500 Leading Dealmakers are due September 20.
  
• The American College of Trial Lawyer’s 2025 Emil Gumpert Award — There’s a $150,000 prize on the table for an innovative public or private program that maintains and improves the administration of justice. Submissions are due September 13. 
  
• The 2024 LegalTech Breakthrough Awards — This one’s for firms with a tech product or service to flaunt. All you have to do is describe it in less than 500 words and shoot that off to the judges by September 20.
  
• The American Bar Association’s Business Law Fall Meeting — It’s one of the ABA’s biggest events of the year, connecting legal professionals from around the world who focus on audit, cyber, tax, banking and finance, dispute resolution, M&A and other business law disciplines. This time, it’s in San Diego, California from September 12-14.
  
• Relativity Fest — Legal data and technology professionals are cordially invited to Chicago for a collective unpacking of the complex challenges posed by artificial intelligence. This annual legal data and tech conference can be attended in-person or virtually from September 25-27.
  
• Profiles in Diversity Journal Q4 Leadership Awards — These accolades recognize Black Leadership, Innovations in Diversity and Diverse Lawyers Making a Difference and Team Leadership. The deadline is September 27.
  
• Law Business Research’s GDR 100 and IAM Patent 1000 — Researchers will start gathering data in September for the GDR 100, which identifies and profiles the world’s best data law firms, and the IAM Patent 1000, which highlights the world’s leading patent law firms. Timelines aren’t official yet, but you can reach out to Nicholas Richardson at nicholas.richardson@lbresearch.com to request a submission invite.
  
• One minute you’re trudging through the dog days of summer, but before you know it October will be here and ALM will start reopening its nominations for 2025 awards. Remain vigilant!
  
• The ABA’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice (TIPS) Fall Meeting — Say aloha to this family-friendly opportunity, which brings hundreds of key decision-makers together in Kauai, Hawaii, from October 16-19.
  
• The National Center for State Courts eCourts 2024 Las Vegas conference — If you, too, are fascinated by the sheer number of outdoor escalators in Las Vegas AND you’re into court technology, you might want to attend this conference from December 9-11. Registration is open and spaces are limited.