Directors Cody Cooper, Kathy Terry, Byrona Maule, and Patrick Hullum paused to take a photo at the ALFA International Conference.
Phillips Murrah is proud to have attended and participated in ALFA International’s 2026 International Client Seminar, held March 5–7 at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, California. Phillips Murrah is a member firm of ALFA International, the premier global network of independent law firms, whose success is driven by broad, deep, local relationships worldwide.
Four Phillips Murrah Directors attended the seminar: Cody J. Cooper, Patrick Hullum, Byrona J. Maule, and Kathy D. Terry.
Byrona participated in a roundtable discussion on “Loper Bright 2.0,” co-moderated with James Kezele of Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL. They examined the real-world impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which overruled the longstanding Chevron doctrine. The discussion covered how courts are now required to independently interpret ambiguous statutes instead of deferring to agency expertise, and what that change means for environmental, employment, and federal tax law. The panel reviewed notable post-Loper Bright cases, including decisions affecting Clean Air Act enforcement, NLRB, EEOC procedures, and IRS income reallocation rules, providing attendees with a practical framework for understanding where agency regulations remain vulnerable to challenge.
Kathy moderated a roundtable titled “Always the Last to Know,” presented alongside Marcie Schout of Quilling Selander Lownds Winslett & Moser PC and Todd McCormich of Berkley Companies. The discussion addressed the important and often misunderstood issue of timely notice in insurance coverage, including how to interpret policy language, the difference between claims-made and occurrence-based policies, and the varying legal standards courts apply when notice is delayed. The panel reviewed majority and minority rules on late notice across jurisdictions, real-world case examples demonstrating the serious consequences of untimely reporting, and practical guidance for insureds and risk management professionals on staying ahead of notice obligations.
Cody presented on “Navigating International Depositions and Cultural Challenges,” along with moderator Beth Rose of Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. and David Warnick of Johnson & Bell, Ltd. The program offered a practical guide to cross-border discovery in an increasingly global litigation environment, covering how deposition rules vary significantly by country, the procedural options under the Hague Evidence Convention, alternative venue strategies for restricted jurisdictions, and logistical considerations when working with foreign witnesses and local counsel. It also examined how cultural differences in communication, formality, and professional norms influence every stage of the international deposition process.
What is ALFA International?
ALFA International is the premier network of independent law firms. Founded in 1980, ALFA International was the first and continues to be one of the largest and strongest legal networks. ALFAI has 140 member firms throughout the world. Their 80 U.S. firms represent 95 of the 100 largest metropolitan areas. Their 60 international firms are located throughout Europe, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Africa, Canada, Mexico and South America. ALFA International’s mission is to provide high quality, cost efficient legal services wherever our clients need them. The ALFA International model enables our members to use their local expertise to deliver highly effective legal solutions, often drawing upon the collective wisdom and experience of other member firms. ALFA International clients benefit from a geographically comprehensive network of exceptional law firms and accomplished trial and business counsel. Their member firms meet high standards to be part of the ALFA International network and are well respected by their peers in the legal and business community.
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