Practitioners from across the state, 410 in all, attended the third annual three-day ISBA Solo and Small Firm Conference, “Expanding Your Network, Knowledge and Skills,” last month in St. Charles.

While there, they had opportunities to record as many as 13 hours of MCLE credit by attending programs in three tracks, and to learn about the products and services offered by 47 exhibitors.

Keynote speaker for this year's conference was “Humorist at Law” Sean Carter, a California attorney whose Friday morning plenary presentation was titled “Using Lawghter to Clean Up the Stress Mess.”

Carter told the audience that his message was simple: “Get a clue, get a grip, and get a life.” He elaborated on this message thrugh humorous and challenging examples. In summary:

Get a clue – Find out what causes your stress and don't do it any more; free up your future for other opportunities; find happiness in showing appreciation and praise to others.

Get a grip – Realize how unimportant you really are, and try not to confuse yourself with your job; learn to tame your inner lawyer.

Get a life – Live the life you want to live, not the one others may want; think about who would you be if there was no tomorrow; “some day” may never come, so move it to the “today list.”

Carter followed his keynote with the Ethical Practice Track session, “A Funny Things Happened on the Way to the Disciplinary Hearing.”

He illustrated his own “10 Command-ments” for avoiding misconduct by citing appropriate sections of the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Number 10 was Thou Shalt Uphold the Dignity of the Profession by standing up against lawyer jokes and correcting misperceptions.

“Don't sue McDonald's; we need it to discipline our kids,” he urged, and “If the cleaner loses your lucky pants, let it go.”