A complement of walk-in registrants at the ISBA Solo and Small Firm Conference in September in St. Charles raised total attendance to 355 from the estimated 300 that was cited in the October issue of the ISBA Bar News.

Executive Director Robert E. Craghead reported the grand total to the Board of Governors on Oct. 13, adding that a preliminary review of conference evaluations has been “very positive.”

The board discussed the possibility of conducting a future conference at a downstate location to increase the ratio of attendees south of I-80 from the 15 percent who registered this year.

Craghead also told the board that since the free FastCase legal research program was made available in September, several ISBA members have commented enthusiastically and other lawyers have joined the association as a result.

About 2,600 members used FastCase during the first month, recording more than 37,000 total transactions.

The ISBA will be a co-sponsor of an all-bar reception at the Standard Club of Chicago on Wednesday, Nov. 29, in honor of Chief Justice Robert R. Thomas of the Illinois Supreme Court.

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The application of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago for affiliate membership was approved Oct. 13 by the ISBA Board of Governors.

LAGBAC promotes the professional development of all gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgendered individuals in the legal community, and works to eliminate all forms of discrimination in the community.

Membership is open to all lawyers, law students and legal professionals who live, practice or attend law school in the Chicago area. Call (312) 807-4401 for information.

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The Board of Governors appointed Carbondale attorney William L. Broom to the board of the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation for a three-year term that will end June 30, 2009.