The third annual ISBA Solo and Small Firm Conference will build on two previous sessions of continuing legal education and networking opportunities for members throughout the state.

Scheduled Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 6 to 8, at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, the growing event is titled “Expanding Your Network, Knowledge and Skills.”

Programs will be offered each day in three tracks: 21st Century Law, Effective and Ethical Practice, and Substantive Law.

The keynote speaker, “humorist at law” Sean Carter, will entertain and motivate conference participants at 8:30 a.m. Friday. His topic is “Using Lawghter to Clean up the Stress Mess.”

A 1992 graduate of Harvard Law School, Carter writes a weekly humor column, “Lawpsided,” for the ABA e-Report, newspapers in 30 states and countless Web sites.

Receptions will be provided by the ISBA Mutual Insurance Co. from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, and by the DuPage County and Kane County Bar Associations from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday.

A wide variety of exhibitors will display and explain their products and services in the Mega Center, where program breaks, receptions and the Friday lunch will take place.

Among them are the Illinois Bar Foundation, ISBA Mutual Insurance Co., the ISBA Ethics Information Line and Internet Café, and ISBA Member Services and a Boutique of logo items.

Others include ABA Retirement Funds, Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, ATG Trust Co., Fastcase Inc. free online legal research for members, and GoNext affiliated travel services.

Registration will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, followed by concurrent educational tracks and opening reception.

The Friday schedule includes 7 a.m. registration and continental breakfast, keynote speech, concurrent educational tracks, luncheon and reception.

The Saturday schedule includes 7 a.m. registration and continental breakfast, concurrent educational tracks, and a luncheon program.