Innovation Lab Sessions

December 2, 2026
4pm – 5pm
Conrad DC

Smarter Associates, Powered by Science (and a Little AI)

What does it take to build legal learning products that actually help associates succeed? In this interactive session, BARBRI pulls back the curtain on the learning science that guides our product design and how we use AI to build our learning. You’ll also see an early example of a new approach to simulation-based learning that we’re exploring, along with the research behind it. Then it’s your turn. In small-group discussions, you’ll tell us what you’d like to see next, where you see gaps, and how we can work together to better serve your students. Come curious and ready to share your perspective. Your feedback will help shape our direction.

Registration link: PDC BARBRI Event 2026

Presented by:
Sam Farkas, SVP Learning & Instruction
Tom Syverson, VP of Content

Better Together: Hands-On GenAI for the PDC Community

Bring your laptop, your favorite AI tool, and your curiosity to this fully hands-on experience facilitated by Hotshot. Forget the demo: you’ll dive into simulated exercises built around the GenAI use cases PD teams need most, as identified by a recent PDC member survey. Expect lots of keyboard time and lively discussion as we learn with and from each other, trading ideas and discoveries along the way. You’ll also get a first look at GenAI for PD Professionals, a new experiential workshop the PDC is creating with Hotshot, and leave ready to bring it back to your firm, where the full workshop will be free for PDC members. No AI expertise required but users of all levels will be able to benefit from the program. Bonus: every participant goes home with exclusive Hotshot swag!

Registration link: https://resources.hotshotlegal.com/better-together-genai-pdc-community 

Presented by:

Ian Nelson, Co-Founder, Hotshot and PDC Trusted Advisor
Emily Gottheimer, Senior Director of Content, Hotshot

Assess Your AI Readiness: PLI’s Competency Framework in Action

Building on the excitement and engagement from the summer PDC Innovation Center in Atlanta, PLI’s Innovation Lab is back. At PDC, we debuted the AI-Ready Lawyer Navigator, an interactive experience built on PLI’s AI-Ready Lawyer Competency Framework, giving legal professionals a personalized way to assess their AI readiness across five competency pillars. What began as a prototype has since been shaped by your feedback and brought to life as a fully developed product for our customers.

In this session, you will hear how an idea that originated at PDC grew into something real, and then you will experience it firsthand. Whether you are assessing your own AI readiness or looking to understand where your firm’s attorneys stand, the Navigator is built for both. Attendees will move through PLI’s AI Competency Assessment pillar by pillar, see where their gaps are, and be presented with curated CLE content to help build AI readiness in each area.

Sign up link coming soon!

Presented by:

Adrian Palma, Director, Innovation at Practising Law Institute
Daniella Raposo, Manager, Innovation at Practising Law Institute