Plus, you and your family can take advantage of Pheasant Run's live theater and a huge array of recreational opportunities, including the resort's 18-hole par-72 championship caliber layout.

Featured speakers

Mike Papantonio is a senior partner at Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Echsner & Proctor, P.A., one of the largest claimants' law firms in America. Author of In Search of Atticus Finch, A Motivational Book for Lawyers, he'll share his experiences and tips on how to stay motivated about the lawyering you do.

Robert Denney, author and head of a firm that specializes in management and marketing, presents the nuts-and-bolts, Significant Trends for Solo & Small Firm Practitioners and Marketing Your Practice on a Shoestring.
 
 

Ann Mahoney With a background in media and psychology, Ann Mahoney uncovers hidden talents and aptitudes, then explains how to capitalize on those strengths to stay ahead of the crowd in, What Makes People Tick. She'll also present, The Silent Thief Stealing Your Future: Forgery.

Craig Ball a trial lawyer, technologist, and computer forensic examiner-will help you master important technology in E-Discovery and Computer Forensics for Lawyers Who Can't Set the Clock on Their VCR and Power Persuasion.
 
 

Also featured

Chief Justice Robert R. Thomas will make remarks prior to the plenary session on Friday morning, Sept. 15. Joining him will be Cheryl Niro, executive director of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. Vicki Kunkel founder and CEO of Leader Brand Strategists, presents "Lawyer Branding: The New Way to Build a Thriving Practice" on Thursday. Among other strategies, she has developed a proprietary process of developing allegiance among constituents, investors, colleagues, jurors, customers, and television audiences. Her expertise has been recognized by major media outlets where she has shared her insights on several high stakes cases.   Ross L. Kodner an attorney who founded Wisconsin's MicroLaw, Inc. in 1985, is a consultant, frequent speaker, and author on legal technology and legal-exclusive tech training. He will present "Buying Law Office Technology" on Thursday and "Slaying the Paper Dragon: Scanners and Paper Management" on Saturday after lunch. At that lunch, he is also part of the E-Gang that will present "Gizmos, Gadgets & Widgets."

Justice R. Eugene Pincham, a retired justice of the First District Appellate Court of Illinois, has taught trial and appellate advocacy and techniques at Chicago area law schools and such prestigious schools as Harvard, Yale, Cornell, and Notre Dame. He will present a session on "Trial Tips" on Friday. Justice Pincham has long been a human rights activist, and continues to lecture and represent clients on a select basis. (Photo courtesy of The HistoryMakers at www.thehistorymakers.com) Michele Jochner, former judicial law clerk to Justice Mary Ann G. Mc Morrow and now for Justice Charles E. Freeman, will share her expertise at Saturday's substantive law track program on criminal law. A prolific author and frequent lecturer, she was the inaugural chair of the Solo & Small Firm Conference Planning Committee and continues in that capacity. She is also a member of the ISBA Board of Governors and was elected ISBA secretary for 2006-07.

Register early!!!
Last year's conference was so popular it sold out well before the event. Dozens were turned away. Don't let that happen to you. Register early--you save $30 if you register by August 1-and keep in mind that your registration is transferable to associates or colleagues in the event you can't attend.

Same location, more space
Because the conference will be bigger than ever, ISBA has reserved Pheasant Run's major meeting rooms so that all participants will be comfortably accommodated. Known far and wide for its live theatre offerings, Pheasant Run also offers a variety of recreational and entertainment opportunities for everyone, including the kids.

Earn MCLE hours while you learn
This year the Solo & Small Firm Conference is even more important to Illinois lawyers because of the new MCLE rule. ISBA members will be able to carry over a portion of the hours they earn into their first reporting period, which begins on July 1, 2006. Go to www.isba.org/lawed and read the FAQ about MCLE to find the how the rule applies to you.

Here's what last year's attendees said
From conference evaluation sheets:

• "Excellent job for any conference. Off the scale of outstanding for a first effort. Only problem…what do you do for an encore? Congratulations on a great job!
• "[I liked the] attention to the needs of the solo and small firm practitioner, with perspective of legitimate experts."
• "The speakers were wonderful and kept me involved and thinking of how to expand and thrive."
• "Lots of valuable information, knowledgeable and energetic (often humorous) speakers."