AILA Annual Conference 2026 San Diego, CA | Legal Soft

When: June 17–20, 2026 | Where: Marriott Marquis & Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, California

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is a nonprofit bar association that has served immigration lawyers since 1946. Today, it represents more than 18,000 attorneys, law students, and paralegals across 39 local and regional chapters dedicated to advancing the practice of immigration law.

AILA hosts one of the largest annual immigration law gatherings in the United States. Each year, it brings together thousands of immigration attorneys, advocates, and legal professionals from across the country. In 2026, the conference will take place from June 17–20 at the Marriott Marquis and Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California.

Legal Soft will be attending the AILA Annual Conference 2026. Visit us at Booth 207 to learn how the right staff support and systems can help you run a more effective immigration practice.

About the AILA Annual Conference

AC26 is a four-day conference held along the San Diego waterfront. It brings together immigration attorneys, law professors, paralegals, students, and exhibitors for learning, networking, and collaboration in one of the most walkable conference settings in the country.

Sessions will be held across two adjacent waterfront venues: the Marriott Marquis San Diego and the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, both just steps from the Gaslamp Quarter and Seaport Village. Attendees will have access to full conference facilities, wellness amenities, and some of the best waterfront views in the city.

Learn more: https://www.aila.org/ac26

Benefits of Attending AILA Annual Conference

Here’s what you can expect at the conference:

90+ CLE-eligible sessions including ethics, bias, and cybersecurity credits
Specialized tracks for business, family, removal, and humanitarian immigration
Government agency updates and policy briefings
Dedicated sessions on AI, technology, and law practice management
Networking with 18,000+ AILA members from across the country
Exhibit Hall with legal tech, staffing, and service providers
Complimentary meals, chair massages, and headshot booth

What to Expect: Sessions & Tracks

Programming is organized across six tracks, so you can build a schedule that matches your experience level and practice focus.

Fundamentals — A full four-day track for those new to immigration law, covering employment-based, family-based, removal defense, and ethics.
Business Immigration — Covers law and policy updates, adjudication trends, worksite enforcement, and the growing role of AI in legal practice.
Family Immigration — Focuses on complex I-130 and I-751 issues, VAWA, U and T visas, LGBTQ+ client advocacy, and more.
Removal Defense — Includes trial skills, habeas corpus, third-country removals, and emerging enforcement strategies.
Humanitarian — A dedicated one-day track covering VAWA practice, TRIG bars, and practical humanitarian law challenges.
Special Sessions & Government Updates — Includes agency updates, wellness topics, law practice management, and AI tools.

AILA Annual Conference 2026 Schedule

The conference runs from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday, with sessions held at both the Marriott Marquis San Diego and the Manchester Grand Hyatt.

Exhibit Hall Hours

Wednesday, June 17: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Opening Reception: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Thursday, June 18: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday, June 19: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday, June 20: 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM

The conference wraps up at the San Diego Zoo on June 20. You can explore the park starting at 2:00 PM, with the closing party beginning at 6:00 PM. A separate ticket is required.

Exhibit Hall Highlights

The Exhibit Hall will be open throughout all four days of the conference. You'll find vendors offering everything from AI-powered case management tools to translation services and staffing solutions.

A few things to know while you're there:

Complimentary breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided by sponsors throughout the hall.
Free chair massages are available Wednesday through Friday. Coordinate your slot at Exhibit 501.
Puppy Play Time with foster dogs from The Animal Pad is at Booth 210 on Thursday and Friday.
Iris Photo Booth lets you refresh your professional headshot during exhibit hours.
The AILA Booth is running prize giveaways including 2027 conference registrations, publications, AILALink subscriptions, and more.

View the full exhibitor list.

How Virtual Staffing Can Improve Immigration Practices

Immigration work often involves high case volumes and ongoing administrative tasks that can pull attorneys away from higher-value work. Legal Soft specializes in virtual staffing exclusively for law firms, including those focused on immigration law.

Our virtual staff can support your practice at every stage of the case, including:

Initial case assessments
Document collection and organizing supporting evidence packages
Government form preparation and filing support
Visa and green card application assistance
Deadline tracking and filing coordination
Client communication and status updates
Court and USCIS calendar management
Legal support across multiple matter types

You can choose from roles like virtual immigration paralegals and legal assistants who work as a direct extension of your team. They handle tasks that can be done remotely, so your attorneys can focus more on billable work and client strategy.

Looking Forward to Connecting in San Diego

The AILA Annual Conference brings together the immigration law community for one of the most established events in the legal industry. We look forward to participating in AC26 and connecting with attorneys who are building and growing their immigration practices.

If you're attending, make Legal Soft part of your visit at Booth 207. We welcome practical conversations about your current operations and any challenges you're facing, so we can offer specific insights to help improve how your practice runs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AILA Annual Conference?

The AILA Annual Conference is the flagship event of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, held annually for immigration attorneys, law professors, paralegals, and students. It is one of the largest gatherings in immigration law in the United States, featuring continuing education, expert speakers, and networking opportunities.

Where and when is the AILA Annual Conference 2026?

AC26 takes place June 17–20, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis San Diego and Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego in San Diego, California. The Exhibit Hall opens Wednesday, June 17 at 12:00 PM.