“The very definition of insanity,” Albert Einstein said, is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If so, then, for the legal profession, it is time to stop the insanity.

That, in short, is the idea of the upcoming 2010 Futures Conference and Symposium (PDF) of the College of Law Practice Management. The theme of the conference is “1, 2, 3, RESET!” With the worst of the economic slump behind us, a stellar line-up of speakers will explore how lawyers can “pick themselves up, dust themselves off and forge surprising new routes for the future.”

[Full disclosure sidebar: I am a COLPM fellow.]

All this happens Oct. 22 and 23 at American University in Washington, D.C. Among the topics panelists will discuss are equity investment in law firms, the impact of globalization on law firms, the value (or not) of social media, new law firm business models, and how to be “smarter” about the practice of law. A closing session, led by the editor-in-chief of The American Lawyer, Aric Press, will offer a “to-do list” for the law practice entrepreneur.

Attendance is limited to 150 people. You do not have to be associated with the COLPM to register. As a COLPM fellow, I can tell you that one of the great things about a COLPM conference is the people it draws. That means that you not only get to hear great speakers, but you get to network with great people offline. Complete details are available in the conference brochure.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.