You've heard a host of ISBA seminar speakers discuss ways to enhance law office efficiency, increase client base, manage revenues and expenses, and conduct effective marketing.

Looking ahead, however, to the eventual end of a lifetime of law practice, a keynote speaker at the fourth annual ISBA Solo and Small Firm Conference will explore the issues that arise and need to be dealt with.

Ellen Freedman, law practice management coordinator for the Pennsylvania Bar Association, will speak on "Closing and Transitioning Your Practice and Safeguarding Your Clients in the Process."

Her remarks at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles will highlight an opening plenary session in the Mega Center.

The presentation by Freedman, who also spoke during the American Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Conference, is being sponsored by Bank of America, the ISBA MasterCard and American Express program coordinator.

Two other speakers, Nerino J. Petro Jr. and Ross L. Kodner, will bring attendees up to date on "Gizmos and Gadgets" during the luncheon break at 11:20 a.m. Friday.

Petro, a past chair of the ISBA Committee on Legal Technology, is law practice management adviser of the State Bar of Wisconsin, and Kodner is president of MicroLaw Inc.

The conference, titled "Expanding Your Network Knowledge and Skills," is scheduled from 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, through 1:20 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, offering a total of 40 opportunities for gaining MCLE credits, plus networking with colleagues from across the state.

Three tracks of educational programs – Legal Technology; Effective and Ethical Practice; Substantive Law – will be available in one-hour segments through the three-day conference.

Before, after and in between, there will be time for visiting exhibitor booths in the Mega Center, getting free legal research training in FastCase, logging on at the Internet café, and visiting friends during luncheon breaks and evening get-togethers.

See the Solo and Small Firm Conference at http://www.isba.org/solo2008 for registration details and other information.

The deadline for early ISBA member registration at $300 ($500 for non-members) is Friday, Aug. 22. Later registration and on-site signup fees are $350 and $550.

Summaries follow of the day-to-day schedules.

Thursday, Sept. 4

Registration begins at 11 a.m. in the Mega Center, where FastCase training will be offered from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Track breakout MCLE sessions are scheduled from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

An opening reception with exhibitors from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Mega Center is sponsored by ISBA Mutual Insurance Co., with entertainment by John Jones.

Friday, Sept. 5

After continental breakfast and registration, beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the Mega Center, the opening plenary session at 8:30 a.m. features Ellen Freedman.

A break with exhibitors at 9:35 a.m. will be followed by FastCase training from 10:15 to 11:20 a.m. Morning breakout sessions begin at 10:15 a.m.

Petro and Kodner will speak at the 11:20 a.m. luncheon break. Sponsors are Bank of America and GEICO Auto Insurance.

Afternoon breakout sessions are slated from 1 to 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 6
Continental breakfast will be available from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Breakout sessions will take place from 8:30 a.m. until the conference adjourns at 1:20 p.m.