Program Details
2026-07-31 14:00:00
Over 1,000+ webinars
Course Overview
2026-07-31 14:00:00
1.5h CLE Credits
Intermediate
1.5
2:00 pm - 2:15 pm ESTSeparates the duty to defend from the duty to indemnify, traces its common law origins and modern commercial interpretation, and explains why the obligation carries decisive strategic weight in the earliest stages of litigation.
Adrian C. Azer
Kevin V. Small
Joshua D. Weinberg 2:15 pm - 2:30 pm ESTWorks through the eight corners and four corners rules, the use of extrinsic evidence to trigger or deny a defense, and how policy wording, endorsements, and insurer-friendly or policyholder-friendly jurisdictions shift the analysis.
Adrian C. AzerKevin V. SmallJoshua D. Weinberg 2:30 pm - 2:45 pm ESTCovers structuring effective reservation of rights letters, when and how to disclaim coverage, the effect of reservations on defense control and conflicts, and insurer attempts to recover defense costs through reimbursement.
Adrian C. AzerKevin V. SmallJoshua D. Weinberg 2:45 pm - 3:00 pm ESTManages the tripartite relationship among insurer, insured, and the defense, identifies when independent representation becomes required or advisable, and weighs the ethical and strategic risks of defending under a reservation, including rate and cost-sharing disputes.
Adrian C. AzerKevin V. SmallJoshua D. Weinberg 3:10 pm - 3:25 pm ESTLitigation risks for breach of duty to defend | 2:10pm – 2:25pm Examines bad faith exposure for wrongful denial, the damages insureds recover including attorney fees and settlement costs, estoppel and preclusion arising from breach, and the key case law trends shaping outcomes across jurisdictions.
Adrian C. AzerKevin V. SmallJoshua D. Weinberg 3:25 pm - 3:40 pm ESTHandles mixed claims with both covered and uncovered allegations, multijurisdictional and cross-border questions, defense duties in cyber, privacy, and environmental claims, and the rise of AI and automated methods for claims handling and defense triggers.
Adrian C. AzerKevin V. SmallJoshua D. WeinbergAdrian C. Azer is a partner and the Washington, D.C. office managing partner at Haynes Boone, where he exclusively represents corporate policyholders in complex insurance coverage matters. Clients turn to him for insurance recovery involving cybersecurity breaches and mass tort claims, general liability disputes over toxic tort and environmental exposures, directors and officers coverage, and bankers professional liability matters. He has represented public and private companies, non-profit entities, and government contractors, litigating against insurers in state and federal courts nationwide and in arbitration. Drawing on seven years as a bankruptcy litigator, he is skilled at insurance issues arising within bankruptcy proceedings, and he represents the Boy Scouts of America in coverage for claims of alleged sexual abuse.
Kevin V. Small is a partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth in New York and a commercial litigator focused on insurance coverage disputes on behalf of policyholders. His background as a former insurance broker and advisor gives him a deep understanding of the industry across a broad range of policies, and he regularly represents clients on claims involving commercial property, cyber, builders’ risk, D&O, E&O, general liability, and representations and warranties. He also helps clients recover under surety bonds and handles professional liability matters such as insurance broker malpractice. Kevin writes extensively on insurance coverage, presents to industry professionals, has been quoted in prominent publications, and contributes to the firm’s Insurance Recovery Blog.
Joshua focus his practice at the forefront of representing insurers in mass tort bankruptcy cases, ranging from asbestos, talc, and product liability matters to sexual abuse cases. He has led the bankruptcy representation of insurers in high-profile cases, including In re USA Gymnastics. Beyond traditional bankruptcy proceedings, Josh has extensive experience in state court analogs to bankruptcy, representing insurers in receivership proceedings, including dissolution and contribution bar litigation, and advising on state insurance insolvency, rehabilitation, and liquidation. He also maintains an active insurance and commercial litigation practice, handling high-stakes coverage disputes in state and federal courts nationwide, both defending insurers against coverage claims and pursuing contribution and subrogation.
Adrian C. Azer is a partner and the Washington, D.C. office managing partner at Haynes Boone, where he exclusively represents corporate policyholders in complex insurance coverage matters. Clients turn to him for insurance recovery involving cybersecurity breaches and mass tort claims, general liability disputes over toxic tort and environmental exposures, directors and officers coverage, and bankers professional liability matters. He has represented public and private companies, non-profit entities, and government contractors, litigating against insurers in state and federal courts nationwide and in arbitration. Drawing on seven years as a bankruptcy litigator, he is skilled at insurance issues arising within bankruptcy proceedings, and he represents the Boy Scouts of America in coverage for claims of alleged sexual abuse.
Kevin V. Small is a partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth in New York and a commercial litigator focused on insurance coverage disputes on behalf of policyholders. His background as a former insurance broker and advisor gives him a deep understanding of the industry across a broad range of policies, and he regularly represents clients on claims involving commercial property, cyber, builders’ risk, D&O, E&O, general liability, and representations and warranties. He also helps clients recover under surety bonds and handles professional liability matters such as insurance broker malpractice. Kevin writes extensively on insurance coverage, presents to industry professionals, has been quoted in prominent publications, and contributes to the firm’s Insurance Recovery Blog.
Joshua focus his practice at the forefront of representing insurers in mass tort bankruptcy cases, ranging from asbestos, talc, and product liability matters to sexual abuse cases. He has led the bankruptcy representation of insurers in high-profile cases, including In re USA Gymnastics. Beyond traditional bankruptcy proceedings, Josh has extensive experience in state court analogs to bankruptcy, representing insurers in receivership proceedings, including dissolution and contribution bar litigation, and advising on state insurance insolvency, rehabilitation, and liquidation. He also maintains an active insurance and commercial litigation practice, handling high-stakes coverage disputes in state and federal courts nationwide, both defending insurers against coverage claims and pursuing contribution and subrogation.
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
