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Take a look at your case calendars and see if there are any major deadlines that will happen immediately preceding, during, or after the conference. You might have to make some magic happen (e.g., negotiation new deadlines or having someone cover you for an assignment). If there is nothing that would require you attention, inform the partners on the projects you are working on that you will be out of office because attending the conference as a networking and business development opportunity. I’m sure they won’t object. After you inform them, send a standard out of office email to the teams your work on or the department. You should not be scared to ask. You should have a relationship with the partners you work that will allow you the flexibility to attend events like this. Also, check with professional development if there is a CLE budget that you can use to cover the conference cost, lodging, and travel accommodations. I will be attending the event as well. I will see you there.
For what it’s worth, I attended an HNBA conference a few years ago and it was not great for networking or substantive knowledge so I would not make too much of an effort to attend.
What’s HNBA?
Hispanic National Bar Association
Is there a diversity partner, or any type of diversity liaison? I'd start there, just let them know you're interested and would like to represent the firm at the event. If no diversity liaison, I'd ask other POC associates if there is any formal protocol to attend. It always varies at every firm.