I’ve been attending AAJ conventions for years—first as staff at the American Association for Justice, and now in my position at Rebuttal PR. Every year, these gatherings are both exciting opportunities to catch up with colleagues and energizing spaces to learn and grow. But let’s be honest: they can also be overwhelming.
As we head to the AAJ Winter Convention in San Diego, now is the perfect time to think about how to make the most of your experience. Between keynote sessions, networking receptions, exhibit halls, and impromptu hallway conversations, it’s easy to feel pulled in a dozen directions at once.
The key to making the most of your time? Remember that AAJ is a marathon, not a sprint. Here are some strategies to keep yourself focused, intentional, and energized throughout the convention.
Review the Agenda and Speakers Before You Arrive
This is a perfect airport or flight activity. Take time to study the program and identify sessions that align with your current challenges or areas of interest. Are you navigating a particularly complex mass tort issue? Look for panels addressing similar litigation. Trying to expand into a new practice area? Flag workshops led by attorneys who’ve been there.
Going in with a plan ensures you’re not just wandering from room to room, but you’re building knowledge strategically.
Identify Key People You Want to Connect With
Networking is one of the biggest benefits of AAJ, but it works best when it’s purposeful. Before you arrive, make a short list of people you’d like to meet:
- Speakers addressing issues you’ve been grappling with in your own practice.
- Attorneys in your geographic area working in complementary practice areas who could become valuable referral sources.
- Colleagues handling similar cases you could collaborate with or learn from.
Having a few names in mind helps you stay focused and gives you permission to skip events that don’t align with your goals.
Bring Business Cards (or Get Your iPhone Ready)
In the moment, exchanging contact information needs to be seamless. Whether you prefer traditional business cards or sharing contact details directly from your phone via NameDrop or LinkedIn, make sure your system is ready to go. The last thing you want is to have a great conversation with a potential referral partner and then realize you have no way to follow up.
Don’t Overextend Yourself—Pencil in Breaks
It’s tempting to pack your schedule from breakfast meetings through late-night receptions, but burnout is real. Build in time to recharge. Whether that’s 20 minutes in your hotel room, a walk outside, or simply skipping one session to grab coffee, those moments of pause help you stay present and energized for the connections that matter most.
Set Aside Time for Follow-Up
At some point, whether it’s first thing in the morning or at the end of each day, carve out 15–20 minutes to:
- Add new connections on LinkedIn.
- Send a quick “great to meet you” email or LinkedIn message.
- Keep a running list in your phone of people to follow up with later.
This habit ensures that the relationships you’re building don’t evaporate the moment you leave the convention center. Following up while conversations are still fresh helps turn brief introductions into meaningful professional relationships.
These steps allow you to bring home the value of those connections and conversations while keeping you in the moment and energized throughout the event.
Let’s Connect at AAJ!
Lastly, I would love to meet you at AAJ! And there’s no better place to plan a break than at our cabana. Stop by to ask us any communications or PR questions, or just take a break and enjoy the sunshine. We’d love to chat about how strategic communications can amplify your firm’s wins and strengthen your referral network.
See you in San Diego!
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