Tech Events in San Francisco
San Francisco is where a lot of the legal questions of the next decade are being written in real time: AI, privacy, platform liability, cybercrime, and the list goes on.
Here’s a curated list of events happening this summer in San Francisco that are accessible and beginner-friendly. Whether you’re figuring out what kind of law excites you or just want to meet people who think about the future the way you do, these are great places to start. Hope to see you all at a few!
ABA SciTech Pre-RSAC Meeting
WHEN? April 26–27, 2025
WHERE? San Francisco
HOW? Event hosted by the American Bar Association's Science & Technology Law Section. Details at americanbar.orgWhy go? It’s not every day that law students get to be in the same room as national security lawyers, privacy experts, and cybercrime policy folks. This pre-conference session (held right before the RSA Cybersecurity Conference) is all about where tech law is headed—from government surveillance to information security. If you want a low-pressure way to start exploring cyber law or tech policy, this is a gem!
Legal Frontiers in Digital Media 2025
WHEN? May 8, 2025
WHERE? Mission Bay Conference Center, San Francisco
HOW? Hosted by the Media Law Resource Center and Berkeley Law. Info at medialaw.org
Why go?
If you’re fascinated by questions like “Should social media companies be liable for what users post?” or “How do you balance free speech with misinformation?”, this event is for you. It dives into real-world legal battles around digital content, journalism, and platforms—and it’s taught in a way that welcomes both lawyers and students. Attendees can expect informative and accessible panels..
Global Legal ConfEx – San Francisco
WHEN? May 14, 2025
WHERE? SF Hilton, Union Square
HOW? Register via events4sure.com
Why go? Global Legal ConfEx focuses on e-discovery, data protection, legal operations, and compliance—yes, those sound like heavy topics, but the event’s structure is very digestible. Sessions are short and you don’t need a JD to understand what’s going on. If you’re thinking about a legal career that doesn’t involve a courtroom, this one can open your eyes to what that path could look like.
Data + AI Summit 2025 (by Databricks)
WHEN? June 9–12, 2025
WHERE? Moscone Center, San Francisco
HOW? Register at dataaisummit.com
Why go? Yes, this one’s technically a developer conference—but don’t scroll past just yet. There’s an entire track dedicated to AI and ethics, including sessions on fairness, data governance, and regulation. If you’re just beginning to explore how data privacy laws and AI intersect, this is an excellent way to learn the terms, meet professionals in adjacent fields, and see how different industries are thinking about legal guardrails. You don’t need to code—you just need to be curious.
Legal Innovators California
WHEN? June 11–12, 2025
WHERE? 736 Mission Street, San Francisco
HOW? Check Legal Innovators for registration
Why go? This event features panels that walk you through how law firms are adapting to new tools like automation and generative AI. If you’re the kind of person who wonders how technology is changing or will change what lawyers do, this one’s for you.
AI Conference in SF
WHEN? September 17–18, 2025
WHERE? Pier 48, Mission Rock, San Francisc
HOW? Register at aiconference.com
Why go? This is the AI event of the year—imagine TED-style talks mixed with cutting-edge demos. And before you worry about it being too technical: this conference has specific tracks on AI safety, governance, and policy. It’s a great way to listen in on conversations that policymakers are just starting to tackle. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of what legal questions matter most as AI tools go mainstream.
If you are planning to go to this, let me know and I would love to meet up!
TIP💡Student discounts are often available closer to the date—sign up for their newsletter to stay in the loop.
