09 Jul Buying Legal Conference 2026: Dates, Agenda, Speakers and Registration Guide
The legal services industry is changing fast. AI is reshaping how legal work gets done. Costs are rising. Expectations from the boardroom are getting sharper. The professionals responsible for managing legal departments and sourcing legal services need to be ahead of all of it. One event brings them together every year to do exactly that. In 2026, it returns to New York City for its 13th annual edition, bigger and more relevant than ever.
This guide covers everything you need to know before you register.
Dates and Location
The 2026 Buying Legal Conference takes place on September 29 and 30, 2026, at 3 Times Square in New York City.
The venue is a state-of-the-art office space in the heart of midtown Manhattan. It sits just steps from Broadway, Bryant Park, and Rockefeller Center. Attendees enjoy panoramic city views from a stunning 15th-floor space that puts them shoulder-to-shoulder with many of the world’s leading corporate legal departments. The location is the same as the 2025 edition, and for good reason. It is one of the most iconic and connected corners of the corporate world.
New York City is a fitting backdrop for a conference dedicated to the business of legal services. Everything about this venue reinforces the seriousness and ambition of the people in the room.
The 2026 Theme: Architecting Measurable ROI in Legal
Every edition of the conference focuses on the challenges that matter most to legal department leaders right now. In 2026, that theme is clear: Architecting Measurable ROI in Legal.
This is not an abstract topic. It speaks directly to the pressure that legal operations professionals, procurement leaders, and general counsel face every day. Boards and executives want to see the return on every dollar spent on legal services and technology. The question is how to define, measure, and deliver that return in a meaningful and credible way.
The agenda has been built around this question. Topics confirmed for 2026 include measuring ROI from AI, managing cost escalation, the data and legal KPIs that matter now, de-risking AI adoption, evolving staffing and roles within legal departments, and updated expectations for law firms and other outside legal service partners.
Each of these topics reflects real decisions that legal buyers make on a recurring basis. Additionally, the combination of strategic sessions and practical case studies gives attendees both the perspective and the tools they need to take action when they return to their organizations.
Who Attends and Why It Matters
The conference brings together a specific and unusually influential group of professionals. Attendees include legal procurement leaders, legal operations directors, in-house counsel, law firm partners, and legal technology providers.
What makes this gathering distinctive is the deliberate balance it maintains. The room is not dominated by any single group. You will find people who buy legal services sitting alongside people who sell them, and alongside the technology companies building the tools that both sides use. This 360-degree perspective is what past attendees consistently highlight as one of the most valuable aspects of the experience.
The conference is intentionally limited in size. Capacity is restricted each year, and the event typically sells out. This keeps the quality of conversation high and ensures that networking feels focused rather than overwhelming. However, it also means that waiting to register is a risk. Those who secure their place early are consistently rewarded with the full range of benefits the event offers.
Speakers: A Room Full of Decision-Makers
The 2026 speaker lineup will be announced closer to the conference dates. Based on the 2025 program, the roster will draw heavily from senior legal operations and procurement professionals at major corporations, as well as law firm leaders and legal technology executives.
The 2025 edition featured speakers from organizations including JPMorgan Chase and Co., Disney, Johnson and Johnson, Novartis, Thomson Reuters, GSK, Sun Life, Syngenta, GEICO, Boston Scientific, Priceline, DHL Supply Chain Americas, U.S. Bank, Wolters Kluwer, and DLA Piper.
These are not entry-level representatives. They include chief legal officers, directors of legal operations, global heads of legal procurement, and senior managing directors. They ground their presentations in real organizational experience rather than theoretical frameworks. Therefore, each session tends to deliver specific, actionable insights rather than general industry commentary.
Sponsor organizations sharing best practices at the 2026 conference include LexisNexis, Onit, Esquire, Axiom Law, Wolters Kluwer, Litify, Priori Legal, Baker Donelson, Checkbox, and ArgoPoint.
The Agenda: Two Days of Focused Learning
The organizers will publish the full program details for September 29 and 30 on the official website at buyinglegal.com in the lead-up to the event. Attendees can reference the 2025 program as a guide to the format and depth of content they can expect.
The conference features expert-led sessions, practical case studies, peer discussions, and meaningful networking opportunities. Industry experts design each session to provide practical insights that legal buyers and legal operations professionals can apply directly to their everyday work.
The format tends to keep sessions focused and avoid padding. Most of the value at this conference comes from the combination of high-quality speakers and the caliber of the attendees. Together, they create an environment that encourages meaningful learning and professional connections. Returning attendees often say that side conversations, roundtable discussions, and informal exchanges between sessions are just as valuable as the formal program. These interactions frequently lead to new ideas, partnerships, and lasting relationships.
Additionally, sponsors present best practices rather than simply delivering promotional content. This keeps the quality of sponsor sessions consistent with the rest of the agenda and ensures that even commercially supported sessions deliver genuine learning.
Ticket Pricing and Registration
Registration for the 2026 conference is open now through the official website at buyinglegal.com. Early bird pricing is available until July 31, 2026. Registering before that date delivers meaningful savings over standard pricing.
Tickets are split into two categories. In-house tickets are reserved strictly for professionals working within legal departments, procurement teams, or legal operations functions inside corporations. These are the professionals who are directly responsible for buying legal services or legal technology for their organization. Vendor-side professionals who attempt to purchase in-house tickets will have their registration cancelled.
Vendor and law firm tickets are available for professionals on the supply side of legal services, including law firms, legal technology companies, and legal service providers. It is important to note that vendor tickets for the 2026 conference are already sold out. Organizations interested in having a presence at the event should contact the Buying Legal Council directly at info@buyinglegal.com to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
Tickets are generally non-refundable. The organizers reserve the right to deny refunds or to issue a refund minus a $150 administrative fee in special circumstances. Name substitutions are permitted. Attendees should factor this into their planning if there is any uncertainty around attendance.
Hotel Recommendations and Travel
Two hotel partners offer discounted rates for conference attendees.
The Hilton New York Times Square is a three-minute walk from Times Square and within blocks of the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Bryant Park, and Grand Central Station. A discounted nightly rate of $399 is available with waived destination fee for bookings made by August 15, 2026, using the conference booking link.
The Millennium Premier Hotel New York Times Square offers a discounted rate of $299 per night, also with a waived destination fee. The hotel has recently completed a full renovation and offers complimentary continental breakfast for guests staying under the conference rate.
Both hotels are conveniently located near 3 Times Square and within easy walking distance of the venue. Booking early is recommended, as both blocks are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
The EMEA Conference: A Second Option for Global Professionals
The Buying Legal Council also runs a separate conference in London for professionals based in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The EMEA edition is the 8th annual gathering for that region and is held at the Dentons office in London. It brings together a focused group of legal procurement and legal operations leaders from across the EMEA region.
For professionals who cannot travel to New York in September, or who want to attend both events in the same year, the London conference is a strong alternative. Full details are available at buyinglegal.com/london.
Conclusion
The 2026 Buying Legal Conference brings together the most influential professionals in legal procurement, legal operations, and the business of legal services for two focused days on September 29 and 30 in New York City. Held at 3 Times Square in midtown Manhattan, the 13th annual edition centers on the theme of architecting measurable ROI in legal, with sessions covering AI measurement, cost escalation, legal KPIs, staffing evolution, and revised expectations for outside counsel.
Speakers will include senior leaders from some of the world’s most sophisticated corporate legal departments and law firms, building on a 2025 roster that included professionals from JPMorgan Chase, Disney, Johnson and Johnson, Novartis, Thomson Reuters, and GSK. In-house tickets are available now with early bird pricing through July 31. Vendor tickets are sold out, with sponsorship the remaining pathway for supply-side organizations. With capacity limited and the conference typically selling out, registering early is the single most important step any prospective attendee can take.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 conference?
The event takes place on September 29 and 30, 2026, at 3 Times Square, New York City. The venue is located in midtown Manhattan, steps from Broadway, Bryant Park, and Rockefeller Center. It is the same location as the 2025 edition.
Who should attend this conference?
The conference brings together legal procurement professionals, legal operations directors, general counsel, and in-house legal department leaders who buy legal services or legal technology. It also welcomes law firm partners, legal technology providers, and legal service companies, creating a balanced mix of buyers and suppliers in one place.
How do I register, and when does early bird pricing end?
Registration is open through the official website at buyinglegal.com. Early bird pricing is available until July 31, 2026. After that date, standard pricing applies. Capacity is limited and the conference typically sells out, so early registration is strongly encouraged.
Are vendor tickets still available?
Vendor and law firm tickets for the 2026 conference are sold out. Organizations on the supply side of legal services who wish to participate should contact the Buying Legal Council at Sponsorship@buyinglegal.com to discuss available sponsorship opportunities.
Is there a hotel block for attendees?
Yes. Two hotels near the venue offer discounted rates for conference attendees. The Hilton New York Times Square offers a rate of $399 per night with waived destination fee for bookings made by August 15, 2026. The Millennium Premier Hotel New York Times Square offers a rate of $299 per night, also with waived destination fee and complimentary continental breakfast. Both are bookable through the links on the official conference page.
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