After four jam-packed days in Nashville, our team is back from ALA’s 2025 National Conference & Expo — and more energized than ever. Between reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new ones and hearing what’s really happening inside law firms, this year’s event was a reminder of why we keep showing up: not just to exhibit, but to listen and engage.
What We Heard: Real Challenges Facing Law Firms Today
Every conversation told a story. And while each firm is unique, a few consistent themes rose to the surface:
- Current IT providers just aren’t cutting it. Many firms shared that their partners aren’t legal-specific, don’t understand their workflows or fail to grasp how critical uptime is to daily operations.
- Support feels reactive at best. Proactive account management is lacking, and firms are tired of feeling like they’re the ones steering the technology conversation.
- “It works for now” isn’t a strategy. We heard this phrase over and over, often from firms who know their IT isn’t bad, but also isn’t moving them forward.
- AI and security are top-of-mind. From deepfakes and business email compromise (BEC) to information governance and compliance, firms are looking for trusted guidance on what’s coming and how to prepare.
- Bandwidth is real. Even firms that know they need a better solution feel stretched. Many have competing projects that delay action, not because the pain isn’t there, but because timing is hard.
These aren’t just pain points — they’re opportunities to do better.
Booth Highlights + Swag That Started Conversations
At Booth #706, we kept the coffee flowing and the conversations going. Our slap-bracelet koozies (shaped like guitars, of course) and fidget-spinner pens were unexpected crowd favorites — fun, functional and a great excuse to stop by and say hello.
But the real buzz? Our lock box challenge, where attendees entered a unique 4-digit code for a chance to win a $200 gift card to The Nashville Boot Company. We had 10 lucky winners, but everyone walked away with a good laugh and a better understanding of how Afinety helps firms “kick it up a notch,” both in Nashville and back at the office.
Event Moments That Mattered
This year, Afinety was proud to co-sponsor the happy hour for incoming ALA chapter presidents at Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint on Sunday night. It was a warm kickoff to the week and a fantastic way to welcome new leadership into the community.
We also teamed up with one of our favorite partners, 3545 Consulting, for an unforgettable night at Nudie’s Honky Tonk, where the music was loud, the energy was high and the conversations kept flowing well past closing time. These events weren’t just about fun (though there was plenty of that) — they sparked some of the most candid conversations we had all week.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
If there’s one thing we took away from ALA National, it’s that law firms are hungry for the right kind of partnership — one that’s built on legal expertise, proactive guidance and practical solutions that don’t just check the box.
That’s the kind of work we do at Afinety. And we’d love to talk about how we can do it with you.