Naperville lawyer, ISBA member, tech expert, and Solo and Small Firm Conference presenter Bryan Sims (aka The Connected Lawyer) says there are four must-have tools for sole practitioners: a smart phone, a laptop, a scanner, and a good backup system. “Unless you’re going to be tied to your office, you should have some sort of smart phone,” such as an iPhone, a BlackBerry, or a PalmPre, Sims told Helen Gunnarsson in an interview for the yet-to-be-released September Illinois Bar Journal. “You need something that will allow you to get your e-mail, look at documents, and otherwise get some work done when you’re out of the office.” As for laptops, Simms recommends buying a business class model directly from the manufacturer instead of the cheapest thing available. “If you’re using your computer for your law practice, you can’t afford to have it out of operation for a week,” he says. A scanner will help you create a paperless and a portable office. “I recommend that you keep all of your documents in .pdf format. If you want to keep the hard copy too, fine, but scan everything,” Sims says. Scanned documents are easy to manage and disseminate. Finally, you need a good backup system.

Central Illinois

• Judge adds another $50K to ex-cop's bail, Springfield State Journal-Register

Chicago area

• Horse carriage drivers face trial, Chicago Sun-Times
• Fund cuts handcuff Kane probation system, Aurora Beacon News

Northern Illinois

• Family sues Niabi Zoo for not letting service dog in, Quad-City Times

Southern Illinois

• Player claims Fantasy Jungle failed to payout football winnings, The Madison St.

[gallery] Members of the Illinois State Bar Association staff worked the "Looking for Lincoln" tent on Sunday at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and will be back again on Tuesday, August 18. The "Looking for Lincoln" tent also sponsored a re-enactment of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. Fair attendees can collect rubbings from all five Lincoln storyboard medallions and receive half-off an adult admission to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The ISBA tent is located on the north east side in the Heartland area, near the "Dock Dogs" show on the outer perimeter. All fair attendees are invited to stop by.

We've heard all the negatives, but now we want to hear the success stories and share them with ISBA members. For the premiere print issue of Illinois Lawyer Now Quarterly in September, we would like to feature how ISBA members are adapting their practices in light of the challenging economic climate.

• Have you succeeded in attracting new clients or growing your practice despite the downturn?
• Have you been able to cut your overhead while still maintaining the same level of service?
• Have you been successful in finding a new job despite the current economy?

If so, we want to hear how you did it! Please send your story (as long or as short as you feel necessary) to Alexa Giacomini, ISBA Director of Marketing & Membership at agiacomini@isba.org