The New York State Bar Association will hold its inaugural Tech Summit from January 19 to 21, 2027, at the New York Hilton Midtown, as part of its Annual Conference. The event is a collaboration between the Standing Committee on Technology and the Legal Profession, chaired by Alexander Paykin, Esq., and the Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, chaired by Vivian Wesson. TechForward Foundation, a nonprofit co-founded by Paykin, has received its 501(c)(3) status and will run the summit’s startup competition.
The summit’s significance lies in its practical focus for legal professionals navigating rapid technological change. Attendees can earn 16 MCLE credits through sessions on AI ethics; practical AI use in drafting, writing, legal research, and evidence; the digital courtroom of tomorrow; and technology for solo and small-firm practitioners. Paykin is coordinating speakers, subjects, schedules, and rooms, and will also speak at the event. “Lawyers should leave a technology conference with something they can use Monday morning,” Paykin said. “That’s our goal for the NYSBA Tech Summit: practical tools, informed judgment, and better ways to serve our clients.”
The startup competition, hosted by TechForward Foundation, aims to bridge the gap between legal technology innovators and practicing lawyers. The foundation was created to encourage the legal profession to embrace new technology while helping startups break into the legal industry. At the summit, the TechForward Startup Competition will showcase new ideas and emerging solutions for legal practice. “The best legal technology starts with a problem worth solving,” Paykin said. “Through TechForward Foundation’s startup competition, we’re connecting innovators with practicing lawyers to help turn promising ideas into tools that strengthen legal practice and expand access to justice.”
The summit also includes an expo of legal technology vendors and a promptathon, reflecting the growing need for lawyers to understand and apply emerging tools. Paykin regularly speaks and teaches on legal technology and artificial intelligence, and he previewed the summit in the Fall 2026 issue of the NYSBA Journal. Registration for the Tech Summit is available through the NYSBA Annual Conference 2027 registration page.
The announcement signals a broader push within the legal profession to integrate technology into everyday practice, from solo practitioners to large firms. By combining continuing education, vendor exposure, and startup innovation, the summit aims to equip lawyers with tools and knowledge that can be applied immediately. The involvement of TechForward Foundation, now with 501(c)(3) status, underscores a sustained effort to foster collaboration between technologists and legal professionals, potentially accelerating the adoption of solutions that improve efficiency and access to justice.
