Final Update

As the final curtain closed and the last attendee departed, the conference planning committee members and ISBA staff couldn’t help but smile. After all, with only a few minor stumbles, the conference could be considered nothing less than a huge success. After spending three enthusiastic days together learning new things, refreshing old knowledge, and earning an abundance of MCLE credit, attendees left the conference shroud in an aura of inspiration and rejuvenation—and all are ready to put their newfound information into practice upon their return to the firm.

The reasons for attending the conference varied from person to person—from earning MCLE credit at a great price to the centralized location to simply networking among fellow solo and small firm practitioners. While a few attendees didn’t need the credit (coming solely for the comradeship produced by a conference such as this) others, like Jessica Bednarz and Michele Raven — two May 2009 graduates from DePaul University College of Law — came simply for the knowledge gained from the seminars and the experiences learned from veteran attendees.

While neither Jessica nor Michele could officially earn credit for their participation at the conference, both women will be going into solo practice once they’re sworn in on Nov. 5 in Chicago and felt this conference was a great way to get their feet wet. Although they attended numerous seminars throughout the conference, Michele and Jessica both really enjoyed the Legal Technology programs. “I learned how to use FastCase, which is far easier to use than some of the competitor sites, and I love the fact that it’s a free ISBA member benefit,” Michele told us. Jessica copied those sentiments adding, “I really want to go as paperless as possible with my own practice, so the Legal Technology presentations were perfect for me.”

Although plans for next year’s 6th Annual Solo & Small Firm Conference are already being made, dates and venue have not yet been determined. In the meantime, this year’s event will soon be available electronically on our FastCLE store website for those who were unable to attend the conference this year. And for those of you who did attend? Thanks so much – we couldn’t have done it without you!

Friday, 3:15 p.m. Update

While most conference attendees come for the large amount of MCLE credit available throughout the weekend, some are here simply for the networking and comradeship. Sandra Moon, from Gurnee, Illinois, is one such example. “I’m not really here for the MCLE credit—I’ve already fulfilled my requirement for the reporting period, actually—but I always learn new things and enjoy meeting other solo practitioners.” Having made the move to solo practice in July 2008, Sandra attended the conference for the first time last year. “I really enjoyed last year’s conference and have been looking forward to connecting with other lawyers at this one.” In addition to finding the conference a great way to mingle among her peers, Sandra likes the fact that the event offers such a wide variety of seminars to choose from. “The conference is just really well-done and very organized.”

See pictures from Day 1 and Day 2