From Log Cabin to Legacy: Growing and Sustaining a Solo or Small Firm in Illinois
Presented by the Illinois State Bar Association
Sponsored by the ISBA Mutual Insurance Company
Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette
501 Main Street, Peoria
Thursday, September 17, 2026 – Friday, September 18, 2026
Thursday: 9:45 a.m. – 6:10 p.m. (Social Events to follow)
Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. (Complimentary Breakfast serve prior)
Attend live onsite and earn up to 13.0 hours MCLE credit, including up to 7.0* hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit
ISBA’s two-day Solo and Small Firm Conference gives you the opportunity to earn
CLE credits while enhancing your knowledge and networking with colleagues!
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Diamond Sponsor – ISBA Mutual Insurance Company
Gold Sponsor - LexisNexis
Silver Sponsor - Breakthrough Tax Resolution and Sprunger Alliance
Bronze Sponsor – Life’s Plan Inc.
Tote Bag Sponsor – Legal Ethics Consulting
Paws for a Break - Alliance of Therapy
The ISBA reduced rate room block at the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette has reached capacity; however, you can still book you hotel room at the regular rate.
Thursday, September 17, 2026
8:30 a.m. Registration Opens
9:45 – 10:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
Perry J. Browder, ISBA President 2026-2027, Simmons Hanly Conroy, Alton
Rachel N. Hernandez, Legal Solutions Collaborative Family Law, LLC, St. Charles
10:00 – 11:05 a.m. Foundation to Future: Had I Known Then What I Know Now
1.0 hour MCLE credit
Moderator: Rachel N. Hernandez, Legal Solutions Collaborative Family Law, LLC, St. Charles
Hon. Vincent F. Cornelius, 12th Judicial Circuit Court
11:10 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Breakout Sessions
- 10 Tips in 60 Minutes: 10 Ways for Lawyers to Use Al
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0* hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Moderator: Genevieve Miller, Attorney at Law, Chicago
Aaron W. Brooks, Holmstrom Kennedy P.C., Rockford
- Law Firm Tax & Entity Selection
1.0 hour MCLE credit
Moderator: Pamela Kuzniar, Haid & Teich LLP, Chicago
Michael L. Raff, Law Offices of Michael Raff, LLC, Lincolnshire
Philip D. Speicher, Mathis Marifian & Richter Ltd., Belleville
12:10 – 12:30 p.m. Break with Exhibitors
12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Winning With Storytelling for Lawyers
1.0 hour MCLE credit
Moderator: Debra L. Thomas, Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, Chicago
Lisa Lilly, Kelly Law Partners, LLC, Chicago
2:10 – 3:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions
- Marketing: How and Where People are Finding Law Firms and Lawyers
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0* hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Moderator: Pamela Kuzniar, Haid & Teich LLP, Chicago
Andrew G. Vaughn, Deviant Marketing, Chicago
- Document Automation in Action
1.0 hour MCLE credit
Document automation can save time, reduce errors, and make your practice more efficient. This fast-paced, demonstration-driven session shows practical ways to automate documents using tools you may already have, while also exploring how newer AI tools such as Spellbook and SimpleAI can assist with drafting, reviewing, redlining, and comparing legal documents.
Moderator: Howard E. Zimmerle, Zimmerle Law, P.C., Rock Island
Nerino J. Petro, Jr., NerinoPetro, LLC, Rockford
3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Paws for a Break and Break with Exhibitors
Sponsored by Alliance of Therapy
Wind down and destress with onsite therapy dogs as you visit with exhibitors during break.
3:30 – 4:35 p.m. Breakout Sessions
- Cybersecurity Essentials for the Small Firm (No IT Department Required)
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0* hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Moderator: Elisabeth A. Ritter, Ritter Law Offices, Chicago
Jonathan D. Steele, Beermann LLP, Chicago
- Growing Pains: Challenges in Teaching Our Team
1.0 hour MCLE credit
Moderator: Trent S. West, Law Offices of West & Ginos, LLC, Nokomis
Jeff Krause, Affinity Consulting
4:40 – 6:10 p.m. Top Tips and Table Clinics
1.50 hours MCLE credit
Complimentary beer and wine beginning at 5:00 p.m.
- AI & Automation for Solos: Productivity Without Confidentiality Regrets
Jonathan D. Steele, Beermann LLP, Chicago
- New ISBA Member Referral Directory
Tim Slating, Assistant Executive Director for Communications, Springfield
- Storytelling Ideas for Lawyers
Lisa Lilly, Kelly Law Partners, LLC, Chicago
Andrew G. Vaughn, Deviant Marketing, Chicago
- Your Estate Planning Practice
Billie Constant, Constant, Wawrzynek and Grove, Mattoon
Rachel N. Hernandez, Legal Solutions Collaborative Family Law, LLC, St. Charles
Genevieve Miller, Attorney at Law Chicago
Perry J. Browder, ISBA President 2026-2027, Simmons Hanly Conroy, Alton
Howard E. Zimmerle, Zimmerle Law, P.C., Rock Island
- Criminal Defense: DUI & Traffic Cases
Sarah E. Toney, Toney Law Firm, LLC, Chicago
6:10 – 7:10 p.m. Reception with Exhibitors
- Saffron Social: Hosted by Rachel N. Hernandez
- Jim’s Steakhouse: Hosted by Linda Watson
- Obed & Isaac’s: Hosted by Genevieve Miller
7:15 p.m. Dine-Around Dinners
(Optional Event – Not Included in Registration Fee)
Sign up at the ISBA Registration Desk by 4:00 p.m. to join our Dine-Around Dinner hosts for an evening of conversation and camaraderie!
9:00 p.m. Drinks and Networking
(Optional Event – Not Included in Registration Fee)
Friday, September 18, 2026
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Complimentary Breakfast
8:30 – 9:35 a.m. Breakout Sessions
- Legal Tech 101: Building a Smarter Law Practice
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Moderator: Elisabeth A. Ritter, Ritter Law Offices, Chicago
Jeffrey Schoenberger, Affinity Consulting
- Recruiting and Developing Law Students and New Associates
1.0 hour MCLE credit
This segment gives you the practical framework to expand your team—starting with how to evaluate whether a new attorney or a lateral hire best fits your firm’s needs. Learn where to find strong candidates, how to stand out as an employer in a digital hiring landscape, and what it takes to cultivate new hires so they meet your firm’s standards. A discussion on what you can (and cannot) ask during an interview, along with common pitfalls to avoid when bringing new attorneys onboard, is also included.
Moderator: Genevieve Miller, Attorney at Law, Chicago
Linda Watson, Watson Law, Peoria
Staci L. Vazquez, Vazquez Law PLLC, Morris
9:35 – 10:05 a.m. Break with Exhibitors
10:05 – 11:10 a.m. Breakout Sessions
- ARDC AI Implementation Policy
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Aaron W. Brooks, Holmstrom Kennedy P.C., Rockford
- Wellness in the Legal Profession/Stress/Trauma in the Workplace
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Mental Health & Substance Abuse credit
Moderator: Debra L. Thomas, Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, Chicago
Dr. Cortney Bindrich, Bindrich Consulting, PLLC, Chicago
11:10 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Plenary Luncheon: Judicial Panel: Best Practices in the Courtroom
1.0 hour MCLE credit
Moderator: Howard E. Zimmerle, Zimmerle Law, P.C., Rock Island
Hon. Kevin T. Busch (ret.
Hon. Tamika R. Walker, 17th Judicial Circuit Court
12:45 – 1:00 p.m. Final Exhibitor Break and Prizes
Be sure to complete the exhibitor game card before 12:45 p.m.
1:00 – 2:05 pm. Bumps, Bruises & Battle Wounds: Lessons from the Past to Shape the Future
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Every lawyer has a few dents from the early years: the client we trusted too much, the boundary we didn’t set, the thing we thought we could “handle” until we couldn’t. This segment examines the real‑world mistakes we all made, what they taught us, and how those lessons can make the next chapter of practice a little smarter and a lot less painful. Topics include: a communication a day keeps the grievance away (Rule 1.4); better safe than sanctioned: when to turn away clients (Rule 1.16); and don’t put off till tomorrow the update you can install today, maintaining technical competence (Rule 1.1, Comment [8]).
Moderator: Linda Watson, Watson Law, Peoria
Stuart Teicher, Attorney at Law
2:10 – 3:15 p.m. Referral Services and ARDC Rules for Intermediary Services
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Jim Doppke, Robinson, Stewart, Montgomery & Doppke, LLC, Chicago
Ann Pieper, Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Springfield
Paige Tungate, Downey Law Group, St. Louis
*Professional Responsibility MCLE credit subject to approval
Pricing Information:
From time to time at ISBA CLE events, the ISBA, it’s vendor partners, or others may take photographs or video of participants, attendees, and guests for use in their marketing or promotional materials or news publications. By registering for this event, you are consenting to the use of your, and your guests’, photograph, video-recorded likeness, and name without compensation. Any photographs or video taken will be the sole property of the ISBA or entity taking the photograph.
- Early Bird Registration Fees (On or before August 30):
- ISBA Member - $399
- Non-Member - $599
- New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $199
- Law Student Member - $150
- Guest of Attendee - $399
- Paid guests are welcome to attend Thursday evening's reception, Friday's continental breakfast, Friday's Plenary Luncheon, and all Breaks with Exhibitors.
- Please call the CLE Department at 800-252-8908
to register a Guest.
- Regular Registration Fees (Starting August 31):
- ISBA Member - $499
- Non-Member - $699
- New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $199
- Law Student Members - $150
- Guest of Attendee - $399
- Paid guests are welcome to attend Thursday evening's reception, Friday's continental breakfast, Friday's Plenary Luncheon, and all Breaks with Exhibitors.
- Please call the CLE Department at 800-252-8908 to register a Guest.
- Onsite Registration Fees (At the Program):
- ISBA Member - $599
- Non-Member - $799
- New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $250
- Law Student Members - $150
- Guest of Attendee - $399
- Paid guests are welcome to attend Thursday evening's reception, Friday's continental breakfast, Friday's Plenary Luncheon, and all Breaks with Exhibitors.
- Please call the CLE Department at 800-252-8908 to register a Guest.
- Pre-Order the On-Demand SSFC Bundle ($299 member value/$599 non-member value)
- ISBA Member - $199
- Non-Member - $399
- New Attorney Member- $99
- Law Student Members - Free
Cancellation Policy-
- A full refund is available up to 7 days prior to the program, less a $50 administrative fee. No refunds are available after Friday, September 11th.
