Program Details
2026-11-13 12:00:00
Over 1,000+ webinars
Course Overview
2026-11-13 12:00:00
2h CLE Credits
Intermediate
2
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm ESTThis session shows policyholder counsel how to trigger and preserve the duty to defend under commercial general liability and specialty policies. It examines how the Hartford v. Instagram court treated negligence allegations describing deliberate design conduct, and what that means for any company whose products involve intentional design choices. Attorneys will learn how courts apply the occurrence requirement, how to use the eight-corners and extrinsic-evidence split, and how to answer a reservation of rights letter without waiving coverage arguments or inviting a reimbursement claim. The session also covers when a reservation creates a conflict entitling the policyholder to independent (Cumis) counsel, and how to audit an insurance program for AI and cyber coverage gaps. Attendees will leave with a complaint-stage coverage preservation checklist, a reservation of rights response protocol, and a framework for evaluating emerging tech-related triggers.
Arthur R. Armstrong
Lisa Reilly 1:10 pm - 2:10 pm ESTThis session gives insurer counsel and claims professionals a framework for making and defending the coverage decision. It examines Hartford v. Instagram as a roadmap for occurrence defenses, when insurers can and cannot rely on extrinsic evidence, and how to draft a reservation of rights specific and timely enough to preserve defenses without becoming a constructive denial. It then maps what a wrongful refusal costs a carrier, jurisdiction by jurisdiction. That includes Illinois estoppel, bad faith exposure beyond policy limits, and stipulated judgments under Morris agreements. The session closes with how carriers can respond to independent counsel demands and apply the new AI and BIPA exclusions. Attendees will leave with a decision protocol for defending, reserving, filing for declaratory relief, or denying, and a state-by-state view of wrongful-refusal exposure.
Bharat VaradachariArthur R. Armstrong is a partner in Barnes & Thornburg’s Philadelphia office who focuses his practice on representing corporate policyholders in high-stakes insurance recovery matters. He advises companies in disputes with primary and excess insurers under general liability, professional liability, D&O, cyber, tech E&O, representations and warranties, political risk, property, and crime policies.
Lisa Reilly is an associate in the Litigation Department and the Insurance Recovery and Counseling Practice Group in Barnes & Thornburg’s Philadelphia office. She has managed a full caseload of insurance coverage matters, and before joining the firm she represented regional and national multi-line insurance carriers in complex coverage and bad faith matters involving excess liability, general liability, ERISA disability, and other policies.
Bharat Varadachari is a partner in HeplerBroom’s St. Louis office whose practice centers on defending insurance companies in extra-contractual litigation. He tries complex business cases and handles bad-faith litigation and general insurance defense, alongside employment, trucking and commercial vehicle, products and premises liability, construction defect, toxic tort, and maritime matters.
Arthur R. Armstrong is a partner in Barnes & Thornburg’s Philadelphia office who focuses his practice on representing corporate policyholders in high-stakes insurance recovery matters. He advises companies in disputes with primary and excess insurers under general liability, professional liability, D&O, cyber, tech E&O, representations and warranties, political risk, property, and crime policies.
Lisa Reilly is an associate in the Litigation Department and the Insurance Recovery and Counseling Practice Group in Barnes & Thornburg’s Philadelphia office. She has managed a full caseload of insurance coverage matters, and before joining the firm she represented regional and national multi-line insurance carriers in complex coverage and bad faith matters involving excess liability, general liability, ERISA disability, and other policies.
Bharat Varadachari is a partner in HeplerBroom’s St. Louis office whose practice centers on defending insurance companies in extra-contractual litigation. He tries complex business cases and handles bad-faith litigation and general insurance defense, alongside employment, trucking and commercial vehicle, products and premises liability, construction defect, toxic tort, and maritime matters.
Requirements
The Alabama State Bar MCLE Commission requires attorneys to complete 12 credits, including 1 ethics, by December 31 of each year. All credits must be reported by February 15 of the following year. A maximum of 12 credits, including 1 ethics credit, may be carried over for 1 year only.
Formats
