city
October 15, 2026
Chicago Athletic Association, Chicago IL

SPARK 2026

Join hundreds of legal experts for an action-packed day dedicated to learning and transformation at Chicago’s coolest downtown venue.

Hear from inspiring legal thought leaders, network with savvy attorneys, and gain the strategies you need to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.
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Agenda

Spark 2026 includes more than 15 expert industry speakers to educate and inspire you. Hear from one of the world's top 30 global keynotes, Sterling Hawkins, then design the rest of your day to gain the strategies and skills (and CLEs) you seek from four learning tracks.
7:00am-8:30am 
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Breakfast & Registration

Start your day with a stunning rooftop view of Chicago’s lakefront while you meet fellow attendees and fuel up for an inspiring day.

Location: Cindy’s Rooftop Bar at the Chicago Athletic Association

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9:00am-10:00am
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Smokeball Vision & Product Innovations
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Smokeball CEO, Hunter Steele, shares his insights into the future of the legal industry and the impact technology will have on the practice of law in the next year.

Hunter Steele
Smokeball CEO
10:00am-11:00am
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Morning Keynote
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Named one of the world's top 30 leadership keynotes, Sterling Hawkins has helped leaders from Fortune 500 teams to the United Nations transform into who the moment requires. He’ll speak directly to the challenges facing law firms today and how to embrace the opportunities.

Sterling Hawkins
Global Keynote
11:00am-11:30am
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 Networking and Partner Break
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Connect with fellow attendees and explore legal technology solutions.

Sterling Hawkins
Global Keynote
11:30am-12:30pm
CLE Tracks
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Practicing Law with AI: Ethical Innovations for Attorneys (CLE)
Tech & AI

AI is transforming the practice of law, creating powerful new opportunities for attorneys who know how to use it well. This CLE delivers practical, ethically grounded strategies for weaving AI into your practice—from research to client communication—without crossing professional lines.

Bob Ambrogi
Lawyer & Legal Technology Journalist
Jordan Turk
Attorney & Director of Education, Smokeball
CLE Tracks
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The Murdaugh Murders: Ethics, Misconduct, and Jury Tampering (CLE)
Legal Skills

The Alex Murdaugh murder trial captivated the nation, but the legal battle over jury tampering that followed may be even more riveting, as allegations that a court clerk improperly influenced jurors landed before South Carolina's Supreme Court and shook the foundation of a landmark verdict. Through gripping trial footage and real ethical dilemmas, this CLE arms you with the strategies to spot, prevent, and address jury misconduct before it unravels a case of your own.

Philip Bogdanoff
Attorney & Instructor
Client Tracks
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Smokeball Session
Smokeball Lounge

Meet your Smokeball Integration Partners  (30 mins)

The Smokeball Exchange: Ask, Learn, Explore (30 mins)

Philips Bogdanoff
Attorney & Instructor
12:30pm-1:30pm
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Lunch
Smokeball Lounge

Break for a delicious meal and conversation in a wood paneled with views overlooking Chicago's Grant Park.

Location: White City at the Chicago Athletic Association

Philips Bogdanoff
Attorney & Instructor
1:30pm-2:30pm
CLE Tracks
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Scaling Your Practice: Marketing That Drives Sustainable Growth (CLE)

Your best legal work deserves an audience, but without the right marketing strategy, even brilliant attorneys stay invisible to the clients who need them most. This CLE reveals how to ethically harness everything from LinkedIn and Reddit to referral networks and digital branding, giving you a proven roadmap to turn one-time cases into a thriving, sustainable practice.

Annette Choti, Esq.
Founder, Law Quill
CLE Tracks
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60 Tech Tips in 60 Minutes: Boost Your Legal Practice (CLE)
Tech & AI

Every minute lost to clunky email, messy files, and scheduling headaches is a minute stolen from billable work. Attorneys Jordan Turk and Laurence Colletti are here to give it back. In this rapid-fire CLE webinar, you'll uncover clever tech tips that eliminate everyday frustrations for a big impact on your practice.

Jordan Turk
Attorney & Director of Education, Smokeball
Laurence Colletti
Legal Technology Advisor, Smokeball
Client Track
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Smokeball Product Roadmap
Smokeball Lounge

Unveiling Smokeball’s Product Roadmap Be the first to hear about some of Smokeball’s newest and soon-to-be-released features, as well as insights into our long-term product vision.

Adele Hoyle
Chief Product Officer, Smokeball
2:45pm-3:45pm
CLE Tracks
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Digital Evidence in the Modern Age: Social Media, Emoticons, and AI (CLE)
Legal Skills

From incriminating Instagram posts to the hidden meaning behind a single emoji, digital evidence is reshaping the modern courtroom, and the attorneys who master it hold a serious advantage. This CLE dives into the cutting-edge world of social media evidence, emoticon interpretation, and AI-generated content, equipping you with the skills to authenticate, challenge, and leverage digital evidence like never before.

Heather King
Managing Partner, KoonsFuller
CLE Tracks
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From Busy to Profitable: Smarter Financial Decisions for Law Firms (CLE)

Being busy isn't the same as being profitable, and too many law firms mistake a packed calendar for a thriving bottom line. This CLE breaks down the smart financial strategies that turn billable hours into real profit, giving you the tools to run a firm that's not just active, but actually thriving.

Heather King
Managing Partner, KoonsFuller
CLE Tracks
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How to Hire Smarter and Keep Great Staff Longer
Smokeball Lounge

Today’s legal professionals want more than a paycheck; they want a workplace with clear expectations, strong leadership, and healthy culture. This webinar explores how law firms can improve retention, hire smarter, and create an environment where top talent thrives.

Heather King
Managing Partner, KoonsFuller
3:45pm-4:15pm
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Networking and Partner Break
Smokeball Lounge

Connect with fellow attendees and explore legal technology solutions.

Heather King
Managing Partner, KoonsFuller
4:15pm-4:45pm
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Beacon Award Presentation
Smokeball Lounge

Join us to celebrate the 2026 Beacon Award Winners and acknowledge the essential work of those providing legal services, pro bono work, and mentorship to their clients & communities.

Heather King
Managing Partner, KoonsFuller
4:45pm
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Closing Party
Smokeball Lounge

Cap a day of learning and inspiration with fellow attendees in the Venetian Gothic game room dating back to 1893.

Location: Game Room at Chicago Athletic Association

Heather King
Managing Partner, KoonsFuller

FAQs

General Event Info

What is Smokeball Spark US?

Spark US is a legal conference founded and produced by Smokeball, focused on helping law firms grow through legal tech, artificial intelligence (AI), and practice management.

Who should attend?

The event is relevant to anyone in a law firm, including:

  • Firm owners
  • Lawyers
  • Paralegals
  • Bookkeepers
  • Office managers  
  • Law Clerks

If unsure whether the event is right for you, you’re encouraged to contact us with any questions at spark@smokeball.com

  • Subject: “Spark US 2026 – FAQ”

Registrations & Sessions

What if I don't register beforehand?

  1. All attendees must register in advance to secure their attendance at Spark US 2026. All attendees must check-in at registration.  
  1. Registration will be open day-of if space allows. We recommend registering beforehand to ensure that you are able to attend.

CLE (Continuing Legal Education)

Is Spark CLE accredited?

  1. You can claim up to 3 CLE credits for full-day attendance
  2. Smokeball is partnering with the ABA for CLE accreditation
  3. 1 CLE credit = 1 hour of relevant learning

Recordings & Streaming

Will sessions be recorded?

  1. Speaking sessions at Smokeball Spark US will be recorded, and the distribution of these sessions will be subject to the permission of the presenter. Attendees will be provided with access to approved sessions on-demand following the conference for a limited time.

Will the event be live streamed?

  1. There are currently no plans to live stream Smokeball Spark.

Venue & Logistics

Is parking available?

  1. Yes – Parking is available. Chicago Athletic Association hotel (12 S Michigan Ave) is primarily available via 24/7 valet. Convenient, less expensive, non-valet alternatives include the Millennium Park Garage and Grant Park North Garage, among others.

Accessibility

Accessibility / disability accomodations

    • Smokeball Spark is an inclusive event and is proud to accommodate all members of the legal community. If you experience a disability and would like to attend Smokeball Spark, please contact us at spark@smokeball.com so we can understand and accommodate your needs.
      Subject: "Spark US 2026 - FAQ"

Organizer

Who organizes Spark?

  • A provider of AI-powered legal practice management software (features include automatic time tracking, document automation, and billing tools).

Additional Notes

Additional Notes

  • Early bird registration is currently open! Please note that regular pricing of $299 per ticket will start on August 1, 2026.  
  • For unanswered questions, attendees can contact:
    spark@smokeball.com
    Subject: “Spark US 2026 – FAQ”