Our visit to LegalEx Manchester: conversations, connections, and lessons learned

We recently spent the day at LegalEx Manchester, and it was a brilliant opportunity to step away from our usual routines, have meaningful conversations, and get a broader view of how the legal profession continues to evolve.

One of the highlights for us was meeting a wide range of organisations working at the intersection of law, technology, and professional development. We had great conversations with teams from Clio, LawY, Smokeball, Info Management Legal , Video Sign and LexisNexis. It was really valuable to share more about what we do at Speed Mooting while also learning how different organisations audiences engage with legal tech and training in practice.

Those conversations were particularly useful in helping us understand where our communities overlap, how aspiring and junior lawyers interact with technology early in their careers, and how different parts of the legal ecosystem can support one another more effectively.

We also enjoyed attending several of the talks throughout the day. Two sessions that particularly stood out focused on the role of the legal function in driving enterprise-wide transformation, and on how AI agents and systems are being deployed across legal operations in practice. Both reinforced how quickly the profession is evolving, and why future lawyers need more than legal knowledge alone - including commercial awareness, adaptability, and confidence in navigating change.

A few takeaways for anyone attending a careers fair or trade show

Events like LegalEx aren’t just useful for organisations, they’re incredibly valuable for students, graduates, and early-career professionals too. Based on our experience, here are a few practical tips if you’re attending a careers fair or trade show yourself:

Go in curious, not scripted.
You don’t need a perfect pitch or rehearsed speech. Some of the best conversations come from asking genuine questions about what organisations do, who they work with, and what skills matter most in practice.

Think beyond job titles.
Trade shows are a great chance to learn about areas of the profession you might not have come across before - particularly legal technology, operations, and alternative legal careers. Even if it’s not a path you take, understanding how these roles fit into the wider legal landscape is hugely valuable.

Use the talks to build context.
The sessions running alongside exhibitions aren’t just filler. They help you understand where the profession is heading and give you language and insight you can later use in interviews, applications, and conversations with practitioners.

Make notes while it’s fresh.
After a busy day of conversations, it’s easy to forget details. Jot down who you spoke to, what interested you, and any follow-up actions - even a short note on your phone makes a difference.

Remember that everyone is human.
Whether you’re speaking to a software provider, a barrister, or a recruiter, these events are about conversations, not assessments. Being engaged, polite, and genuinely interested goes a long way.

Looking ahead

Overall, our visit to LegalEx Manchester was a really positive experience. It gave us the chance to share what Speed Mooting is about, learn from others working across the profession, and reflect on how legal education, practice, and technology continue to intersect.

We came away with plenty to think about and we’re looking forward to carrying those insights back into the work we do with our community.