TECHTRACK
Buying Law Office Technology 101: How to Buy Right and Spend Smart
Who has time to survey, much less understand, the apparently endless number of electronic products, not to mention brands, on the market? This speaker will cut through the confusion to help you make good decisions with less stress.
Ross Kodner, Microlaw, Inc., Glendale, WI
Trent Bush, Ward Murray Pace & Johnson, PC, Sterling

OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Attracting and Retaining Lawyer Talent
Find out what kinds of work environments, benefits, and perks are important in today's legal market, and how to recognize who is likely to be a good fit for the "culture" of your practice.
Jeffrey M. Simon, River West Consultants, Ltd., Chicago
Rodney D. Joslin, CEO, Alset Technology LLC, Chicago

SUBSTANTIVE LAW
Elder Law Update
There's always something new in this growing area of the law. Learn about the latest court decisions and developments in the legislative arena.
Susan Dawson-Tibbits, Law Offices of Susan-Dawson Tibbits, Peoria

3:00 - 4:05 p.m.

TECHTRACK
Communicating with Clients Electronically: E-mail, Listservers, and Blogs
There's more than one way to reach your clients electronically, but how effective-and appropriate-are they? These speakers will address your electronic options and which one works best, depending on your objectives.
Bryan M. Sims, James Gustafson & Thompson, Ltd., Naperville
Peter R. Olson, The Olson Law Firm, LLC, Chicago

OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Lawyer Branding: The New Way to Build a Thriving Practice
No fear-there will be no brandishing of hot irons in this session. Rather, you'll learn how "branding," a marketing buzzword, can help you bring in more clients by helping you stand out from the crowd.
Vicki Kunkel, CEO, Leader Brand Strategists, Aurora

SUBSTANTIVE LAW
Immigration Law Update
This area of the law has recently gained considerable prominence. In this session, get updated on the latest challenges in representing immigrants and clients who are impacted by immigration law.
Patrick M. Kinnally, Kinnally Krentz Loran Hodge & Herm, Aurora
Robert D. Algren, Law Offices of Robert D. Algren & Associates, Chicago

4:15 - 5:20 p.m.

TECHTRACK
Beyond Search & Replace: Introduction to Document Assembly with HotDocs
HotDocs software can save you hours of work by setting up templates of your oft used forms and letting you customize them quickly and easily. Learn how in this session.
Karl Ward, Lexis Nexis, Provo, UT

OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Answers to Questions that Keep Lawyers Awake at Night
Our panel of four seasoned solos/small firm lawyers knows all about what's worrying you. They've been there, and they still are. Here's a chance to get some answers-and maybe more sleep.
John T. Phipps, John T. Phipps Law Offices, PC, Champaign
Roger L. Rutherford, Rutherford Law Office, Springfield
Julie K. Katz, Keehner Cannady & Katz, Belleville
Umberto S. Davi, Davi & Associates, Western Springs

SUBSTANIVE LAW
How to Deal with Client-Related Nightmares
Where to begin-clients who lie, impaired clients, dangerous clients, clients who don't pay. In every practice, such clients will appear. These speakers tell you how to cope ethically and appropriately.
Mary T. Robinson, ARDC, Chicago
Peter L. Rotskoff, ARDC, Springfield

10:15 - 11:20 a.m.

TECHTRACK
Practice Any Where, Any Time
Taking your office with you is easier than you think-with the right hardware and software. This speaker will show you what you need and how it's done.
Nerino J. Petro, Jr., Practice Management Advisor, State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison

OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Preparing and Protecting Your Firm from Disaster: Lessons from a New Orleans Lawyer
Get the story firsthand of how a lawyer and his firm were felled by and then recovered from Hurricane Katrina. These real life lessons learned will help you prepare for "the big one" in whatever form it takes.
Christopher J. Aubert, The Aubert Law Firm, Covington, LA

SUBSTANTIVE LAW
Real Estate
Learn the latest from two real estate experts. You'll be updated on the latest court decisions, legislation and rules.
Aurora N. Abella-Austriaco, Peck Bloom Austriaco & Mitchell, LLC. Chicago

BONUS TRACK
Winning Strategies to Secure those Desired, Missing Clients from your Practice
Seasoned professional offer new twists to help you get the clients you want. Then after serving the client, and spawning more clients, and the resultant fees, these pros offer strategies to increase the money earned so it does much more now and later.
Mark D. Hassakis, P.C. Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C., Mt. Vernon
James B. Giltner, CLU, CSSC, Evergreen Structured Settlements, LLC., Cleveland, OH

1:00 - 2:05 p.m.

TECHTRACK
Acrobat for the Rest of Us
Most of us frequently use Acrobat to automatically open pdf files, but there's more to this software than that. In this session, learn how to use it to your practice's advantage.
Nerino J. Petro, Jr., Practice Management Advisor, State Bar of Wisconsin
Trent L. Bush, Ward Murray Pace & Johnson, PC, Sterling

OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Marketing Your Practice on a Shoestring
Marketing is a must-do for all practitioners, but it doesn't have to cost a lot or take a lot of time. Find out how it's done from these fellow solos or small firm lawyers.
Robert Denney, Robert Denney Associates, Inc., Wayne, PA (featured speaker)
John W. Olmstead, PhD., CMC, Olmstead & Associates, St. Louis, MO
Mary Pillow, Kavanagh Scully Sudow White & Frederick, PC, Peoria
Roger L. Rutherford, Rutherford Law Offices, Springfield

SUBSTANTIVE LAW
Trial Tips
Learn how to be more effective at trial from a long-time member of the judiciary.
Hon. R. Eugene Pincham, Chicago

2:15 - 3:20 p.m.

TECHTRACK
Metadata: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
You wouldn't want opposing counsel or someone you're negotiating with sitting next to you while you are thinking out loud about the document you're sending them. You might be providing exactly the same information if you are exchanging electronic files. Learn how not to.
Bryan Sims, Thompson Rosenthal & Watts, LLP, Naperville
Peter V. Mierzwa, Park Ridge

OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Show Me the Money! How Finance & Accounting Systems Can Increase Your Income
And we mean legally, of course! Find out how a good system can make you more profitable.
Paul J. Sullivan, Quinn Johnston Henderson & Pretorius, Peoria

SUBSTANTIVE LAW
Family Law
There's always something new in family law. Take this opportunity to update yourself on the latest caselaw and legislation.
Julie Katz, Keehner Cannady & Katz, Belleville

4:10 - 5:15 p.m.

TECHTRACK
Me and My Mac: Apple in the Office
These two Mac fans will tell you how and why this platform works so well in the law office. If you've ever wondered whether a Mac might be for you, or how it differs from a PC, this is the program for you.
David B. Yavitz, Yavitz and Levey, LLP, Chicago
Todd H. Flaming, Schopf & Weiss, Chicago

OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Using Finance & Accounting Systems to Improve Service to Your Clients
This presentation will show you how to set up and organize systems that benefit both you and your clients.
J. Thomas Long, CPA, JD, Grant Park Bancshares, Inc., Godfrey

SUBSTANTIVE LAW
Ethics and Professionalism
Get a refresher course on ethics and professionalism-and keep yourself out of hot water with the ARDC. It's also a chance to ask questions about how the rules work in real life circumstances.
Bernard Wysocki, Wysocki & Smith, Waukegan
Mary F. Andreoni, ARDC, Chicago

5:25 - 6:30 p.m.

TECHTRACK
I Talk, You Type: Digital Dictation and Voice Recognition Software
Find out these time-saving tools work and how to use them in your practice.
Nerino J. Petro, Jr., Practice Management Advisor, State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison
Steven L. Dunn, Illinois State Bar Association, Springfield

OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Life on Balance: Staying Energized and Productive
How do you stay motivated in a swiftly changing business environment? This presenter will show you how to equip yourself with the tools, knowledge and opportunities to fully develop your potential and stay effectively committed in your professional life.
Dr. Thomas Vernardos, Olmstead & Associates, Las Vegas, NV
John W. Olmstead, PhD., CMC, Olmstead & Associates, St. Louis, MO

SUBSTANTIVE LAW
Estate Planning and Probate
Take this opportunity to update and fine tune your knowledge in this popular practice area for solo and small firm practitioners.
Timothy G. Carroll, Carroll & Wall, Chicago
James F. Dunneback, James F. Dunneback, PC, Orland Park

6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
WELCOME RECEPTION
Bring your registered family or guests and plan on staying a while. This gala welcome event features a delicious array of serious appetizers, an open bar, and a chance to visit with other conference attendees. It's all happening in the Exhibit Hall, where you'll also have plenty of time to chat with exhibitors and learn about products and services that can make practicing law more efficient.
Sponsored by the ISBA Mutual Insurance Company
 

10:30 - 11:35 a.m.

TECHTRACK
Help! My In-box is Exploding: Dealing with E-mail Overload
Rescue is at hand. There IS a way to categorize, store, and control your e-mail. These speakers will tell you exactly how to do it.
Nerino J. Petro, Jr., Practice Management Advisor, State Bar of Wisconsin
David Clark, Clark and Partners, Dundee
Todd H. Flaming, Schopf & Weiss, Chicago

OFFICE MANAGEMENT
The Silent Thief Stealing Your Future: Forgery
Featured speaker and handwriting expert Ann Mahony will show you how to spot likely forgeries and how to minimize your risk.
Ann Mahony, San Francisco, CA

TECHTRACK
Slaying the Paper Dragon: Scanners and Paper Management
Learn how this technology can keep your document filing manageable, organized, and accessible. Learn from practitioners who routinely use document scanning in their practices.
Ross Kodner, Microlaw, Inc., Glendale, WI
William L. Niro, Niro Scavone Haller & Niro, Chicago
Trent L. Bush, Ward Murray Pace & Johnson, PC, Sterling

OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Improving Client Service by Improving Your Listening Skills
The role of a lawyer is often to act as a counselor, and that takes listening skills. This presentation will help you learn how to listen for what clients don't say, as well as what they do say; for emotions and commitments as well as content; and how to be present and pay attention.
Carl Michael Rossi, M.A., J.D., L.P.C., Collaborative Practice, Chicago

SUBSTANTIVE LAW
Criminal Law
Get your updated caselaw and legislative developments here.
Michele M. Jochner, Chicago

2:15 - 3:20 p.m.

TECHTRACK
Power Persuasion
Featured speaker Craig Ball has won awards for his presentations on Power Point. You probably already know that this software can be used in very ugly and ineffective ways. This presentation will show you how it can be one of your most effective trial and presentation tools.
Craig Ball, Montgomery, TX

OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Preventing Loss in Your Practice
Learn how to avoid malpractice claims-and keep your clients happy-by establishing and maintaining good management practices.
Jon DeMoss, ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, Chicago
Melissa Kaplan, Vice President of Claims, ISBA Mutual
Thomas W. Dillon, Konicek & Dillon, Chicago

SUBSTANTIVE LAW
Keys to Effective Cross Examination
Pick up tips and tricks to improve you technique at trial.
Tommy H. Brewer, Law Offices of Tommy H. Brewer, Chicago

3:30 - 4:00 p.m.
REFRESHMENT BREAK - EXHIBIT HALL
This is your last change to visit with exhibitors as you enjoy refreshments and snacks.

4:10 - 5:15 p.m.

TECHTRACK
Building Your Ark: Backup Strategies and Disaster Planning
Find out exactly what you need to do to protect your technology - and the records and other data it holds-in case of a disaster. Your professional survival could depend on it.
Steven L. Dunn, Illinois State Bar Association, Springfield
Adam Nelson, Navigant Consulting, Chicago
Mark B. Moran, Reed Armstrong Gorman Mudge & Morrissey, PC, Edwardsville

SUBSTANTIVE LAW
Tort Law/Civil Practice
This speaker will summarize for you the most important issues in this area of the law, including court decisions, legislation and trends.
John L. Nisivaco, Nisivaco Law Offices, Chicago

 This conference may qualify for as much as 18 hours of MCLE credit based on a 60- minute credit hour. ISBA will apply for Illinois MCLE accreditation as soon as applications are accepted; total available hours in Illinois are pending such approval. For out-of-state attendees, we advise that you consult your state's MCLE rules or accreditation authority for more details.