Program Details
2026-10-01 12:00:00
Over 1,000+ webinars
Course Overview
2026-10-01 12:00:00
2h CLE Credits
Intermediate
2
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm ESTThis CLE examines the significant changes to property insurance appraisal in Texas arising from Senate Bill 458 and the Texas Department of Insurance’s implementing regulations. The program will provide a practical roadmap for attorneys, adjusters, appraisers, and umpires navigating the new statutory framework, including when the new requirements apply, the permissible scope of appraisal, qualification and disclosure requirements for appraisers and umpires, and procedures governing the appraisal process. The presentation will also address key Texas appraisal decisions involving causation, waiver, authority of the appraisal panel, and challenges to appraisal awards.
Larry BacheWilliam L. Flournoy 1:10 pm - 2:10 pm ESTThis session covers umpire disputes in insurance appraisal — vetting candidates, challenging a seated umpire, and vacating a compromised award after signing. It addresses disclosure obligations, disqualifying conduct (contingent fees, ex parte communications, undisclosed relationships), and Texas’s emerging SB 458/TDI framework, alongside supporting Florida and federal doctrine. Attendees leave with a practical vetting checklist and a litigation-ready understanding of vacatur grounds, timing, and how AAA court-appointed selection differs from ad hoc umpire selection.
Larry BacheWilliam L. FlournoyLarry Bache, Esq. is an attorney with Merlin Law Group who focuses exclusively on representing policyholders in first-party property insurance matters. He specializes in hail, windstorm, business interruption, earth movement, and bad faith litigation, primarily representing commercial property owners, real estate investment trusts, and condominium associations. Since joining Merlin Law Group in October 2010, Larry has represented policyholders in numerous states, including Colorado, California, Texas, Florida, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, and Kansas. He has tried first-party property insurance cases in both state and federal courts and has argued before multiple courts of appeals. He is also actively involved in legislation across the country and is dedicated to protecting policyholders’ rights. His work has contributed to bad faith trial victories, appellate victories, Tenth Circuit appellate cases, and numerous settlements involving bad faith, fire, and hail damage claims.
William L. “Trey” Flournoy, Esq. is an attorney with Merlin Law Group who focuses on first-party property insurance law. A Florida native who grew up in the Tallahassee area, Trey attended Culver-Stockton College in Missouri, where he played NAIA football and competed on the mock trial team. He returned to Florida to attend Florida Coastal School of Law, graduating in the top 20 percent of his class and earning an invitation to speak at the 5th District Court of Appeals during the official Florida Bar Swearing-In Ceremony based on his top bar score. Trey has practiced first-party property insurance law throughout his career and, during the first several years of his practice, also handled matters including construction defect litigation. His practice now spans Texas, Florida, and Georgia at both the state and federal levels, and he has also worked in the Carolinas on a pro hac vice basis. He focuses on representing policyholders in matters involving residential HOAs and condominium associations, multifamily units, religious institutions, loss of use, hurricane, fire and smoke, wind, water, and intentional-act claims. He currently serves as Team Lead of Merlin Law Group’s Dallas office.
Larry Bache, Esq. is an attorney with Merlin Law Group who focuses exclusively on representing policyholders in first-party property insurance matters. He specializes in hail, windstorm, business interruption, earth movement, and bad faith litigation, primarily representing commercial property owners, real estate investment trusts, and condominium associations. Since joining Merlin Law Group in October 2010, Larry has represented policyholders in numerous states, including Colorado, California, Texas, Florida, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, and Kansas. He has tried first-party property insurance cases in both state and federal courts and has argued before multiple courts of appeals. He is also actively involved in legislation across the country and is dedicated to protecting policyholders’ rights. His work has contributed to bad faith trial victories, appellate victories, Tenth Circuit appellate cases, and numerous settlements involving bad faith, fire, and hail damage claims.
William L. “Trey” Flournoy, Esq. is an attorney with Merlin Law Group who focuses on first-party property insurance law. A Florida native who grew up in the Tallahassee area, Trey attended Culver-Stockton College in Missouri, where he played NAIA football and competed on the mock trial team. He returned to Florida to attend Florida Coastal School of Law, graduating in the top 20 percent of his class and earning an invitation to speak at the 5th District Court of Appeals during the official Florida Bar Swearing-In Ceremony based on his top bar score. Trey has practiced first-party property insurance law throughout his career and, during the first several years of his practice, also handled matters including construction defect litigation. His practice now spans Texas, Florida, and Georgia at both the state and federal levels, and he has also worked in the Carolinas on a pro hac vice basis. He focuses on representing policyholders in matters involving residential HOAs and condominium associations, multifamily units, religious institutions, loss of use, hurricane, fire and smoke, wind, water, and intentional-act claims. He currently serves as Team Lead of Merlin Law Group’s Dallas office.
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
