October law firm rankings, lists, awards and PR opportunities

As a Floridian who somehow dodged another major hurricane this month, I can’t help but think of all those who didn’t. To everyone in the Southeast affected by Helene and Milton, I hope you and your families are OK and can get back to normal as soon as possible. And while deadline extensions are never guaranteed, you might consider requesting one if your firm was badly affected. 

In the coming months, look out for changes at ALM, which will be reorienting how it presents its content. In an October Law Firm Media Professionals panel, editors explained that regional publications will remain a priority while ALM also integrates content from Law.com’s national and international desks on relevant beats like the business of law, litigation and in-house counsel. 

Now, here are the legal PR deadlines we don’t want you to have nightmares about during spooky season:

• If you thought you’d missed Law360’s Practice Groups of the Year nomination deadline, I have news. It’s been extended to October 18 at 8 p.m. ET, so you still have time to highlight your firm’s highest-achieving practice groups. Off you go!
  
• Profiles in Diversity Journal is also providing more time to submit for its Q4 Leadership Awards. These accolades recognizing Black Leadership, Innovations in Diversity and Diverse Lawyers Making a Difference and Team Leadership are now due October 18. 
  
• Professional services firms with exceptional leadership, management teams and rising stars are invited to submit for the Managing Partners Forum’s Professional Services Management Excellence Awards. October 18 is the deadline.
  
• Turnaround & Workouts’ Outstanding Turnaround Firms annual list ranks the firms and professionals providing on-site management and navigating difficult decisions at troubled and bankrupt firms. Get your nominations for ongoing and recently completed out-of-court workouts in by October 25. The publication is also accepting nominations for Outstanding Restructuring Lawyers, due November 22.
  
• The American Bar Association’s Pipeline Council Alexander Awards for Excellence in Pipeline Diversity spotlights individuals or organizations for exemplary leadership and supporting underrepresented students through law school and into the legal profession. Submit your nominations by October 25.
  
• Also closing on October 25 is early-bird pricing for Corporate Counsel’s General Counsel Conference East, which runs from November 18-19 in New York.
  
• The American Bar Association’s Class Actions National Institute is billed as the nation’s premier class action conference. This year, it’s in Nashville from October 24-25.
  
• The CLOC Global Institute is on the prowl for great session topics for its annual conference. If you have one, make sure you submit it by November 1. This event equips legal operations professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and practical tools and will be held in Las Vegas from May 5-8.
  
• Legal professionals at the early end of their careers are eligible for the Alli Gerkman Legal Visionary Award, which recognizes innovators, risk-takers and visionaries who are improving the legal system. Nominations are due November 1.
  
• If you’re in the mood for globetrotting, the ABA’s International Law Section is hosting a conference in the United Kingdom — a place I’m quite partial to as a British citizen. What’s on the agenda, you ask? Innovation and tradition in U.K. and U.S. law practices, as well as the continuing impacts of Brexit on various practice areas. Register by November 6 if you want to go.
  
• The Association of Corporate Counsel is looking for this year’s set of Value Champions, who implement practices that reduce spending, improve budget predictability and achieve better outcomes for clients. Nominations are due November 8.
  
• Dust off that list of matters you used for Chambers this year because they’ll come in handy for submitting to The Legal 500 U.S. If you’re not already registered, make sure you request login details well in advance of this year’s November 20 deadline.
  
• Nominations are open for Legalweek’s Leaders in Tech Law Awards. Judges are looking for lawyers working with tech companies on game-changing projects and moving the legal profession forward with innovative initiatives in the U.S. The submission deadline is December 2.
  
• There are two December Lawdragon deadlines to watch out for: 500 Leading Lawyers in America, due December 13, and 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers, due December 27.
  
• If drafting last-minute nominations gives you panic attacks, you could make a start on your Florida Legal Awards 2025 submission now. This ALM accolade celebrates the legal professionals and firms behind the biggest wins, most consequential deals and industry-shaping ideas. New categories include Maritime Attorney of the Year and Managing Partner of the Year. The deadline is December 13.
  
• Speaking of ALM award cycles, three other submission windows are opening soon. Keep your eyes peeled for the Southeastern Legal Awards on October 24, the Pennsylvania Legal Awards on November 21 and Elite Trial Lawyers on December 19.
  
• Nonprofit organizations, law schools and government agencies that have put access to justice at the center of their innovations are eligible for the Michael Mills InnovAction Awards. Led by the College of Law Practice Management, this recognition comes with a $10,000 cash prize and a December 31 deadline.
  
• Sponsorships are open for the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice (TIPS) Section Conference. Attorneys, in-house counsel and insurance industry employees will gather in Washington, D.C., from May 7-10 to get up to speed on personal injury and insurance litigation.