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!
Join us for ISBA’s 2026 Solo & Small Firm Conference, “From Log Cabin to Legacy,” a two‑day, in‑person event designed to bring Illinois solo and small firm attorneys together. Hosted at the Pere Marquette in the historic city of Peoria, this program delivers actionable CLE, real‑world insights, and the tools you need to help you build, grow, and sustain a lasting legal practice. Whether you’re launching your first law firm or focused on strengthening an established law business, you’ll gain the best practice tips and strategies for every stage of your professional journey.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Diamond Sponsor – ISBA Mutual Insurance Company
Gold Sponsor - LexisNexis
Bronze Sponsor – Life’s Plan Inc.
Tote Bag Sponsor – Legal Ethics Consulting
Be sure to book your room at the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette no later than Sunday, August 16, 2026
for the special ISBA room rate of $145/night!
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
TBD, ISBA Mutual Insurance Company, Chicago
10:00 – 11:05 a.m. Foundation to Future: Had I Known Then What I Know Now
1.0 hour MCLE credit
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
Listen as our speakers discuss 10 ways you can implement artificial intelligence in your practice right now.
Aaron W. Brooks, Holmstrom Kennedy P.C., Rockford
Bryan M. Sims, Sims Law Firm Ltd., Naperville
- Law Firm Tax & Entity Selection
1.0 hour MCLE credit
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
Perfecting the art of storytelling can help you better connect with both clients and potential clients. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a seasoned lawyer and bestselling novelist as she covers key skills from fiction writing that can enhance your legal practice, including: how to dive into multiple viewpoints, how to create a more gripping narrative, and the importance of empathizing with your audience—whether that’s a judge, a client, or the attorney across the table from you.
1.0 hour MCLE credit
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
Andrew G. Vaughn, Deviant Marketing, Chicago
1.0 hour MCLE credit
Speakers TBD
3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Paws for a Break and Break with Exhibitors
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
Jonathan D. Steele, Beermann LLP, Chicago
- Growing Pains: Challenges in Teaching Our Team
1.0 hour MCLE credit
Leticia DeSuze, Lawyerist, Florida
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.
Don’t miss this fast-paced session that gives you the opportunity to ask our speakers specific questions regarding their individual topics. Attendees will switch tables every 15 minutes for a broad learning opportunity.
- AI & Automation for Solos: Productivity Without Confidentiality Regrets
Jonathan D. Steele, Beermann LLP, Chicago
- New ISBA Lawyer Referral Guide
An overview and demonstration of the ISBA’s new Member-to-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
- Overview of Common Solo & Small Firm Practice Areas
Veteran practitioners in SSFC Practice
6:10 – 7:10 p.m. Reception with Exhibitors
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)
End the first day by gathering with conference attendees, speakers, and ISBA leaders for an informal networking event.
Friday, September 18, 2026
7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Mindfulness Session
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Complimentary Breakfast
8:30 – 9:35 a.m. Breakout Sessions
- Legal Tech 101: Building a Smarter Law Practice
Legal technology is no longer a collection of disconnected software products. Today's law firms rely on an integrated technology stack to manage matters, communicate with clients, automate routine work, protect sensitive information, and run their business. This session provides a practical understanding of today's legal technology landscape without jargon or sales pitches. Listen as our speaker uses practical examples and demonstrations to explore the core categories of legal technology every solo and small firm should understand, including matter and document management, client communication, billing, automation, cybersecurity, and the growing role of artificial intelligence. Learn how to evaluate technology based on your firm's workflows, practice areas, and business goals, not simply the latest marketable features. Additional topics include: how to identify the essential categories of legal technology used in modern small firm practice; how to evaluate technology based on workflow and business needs; how to recognize opportunities to improve efficiency through automation, information management, and AI-assisted tools; and how to develop a practical technology roadmap that supports excellent client service and sustainable firm growth.
1.0 hour MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professionalism, Civility, Legal Ethics, or Sexual Harassment Prevention credit
Jeffrey Schoenberger, Affinity Consulting
- Recruiting and Developing Law Students and New Associates
1.0 hour MCLE credit
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
Dr. Cortney Bindrich, Bindrich Consulting, PLLC, Chicago
11:10 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Plenary Luncheon: Judicial Panel
1.0 hour MCLE credit
Hon. Chris Bauer, 3rd Judicial Circuit Court
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. for a chance to win a XXX and other great prizes! Prizes awarded during the break; must be present to win.
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]).
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
Ben Boroughf, Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, Chicago
Michael P. Downey, Downey Law Group, St. Louis
Sari Montgomery, Robinson, Stewart, Montgomery & Doppke, LLC, Chicago
*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) - Coming Soon!
- 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 19th.
