Conference Recap: Insights from ALFA International Client Seminar 2025
At this year’s ALFA International Client Seminar (ICS 2025), industry leaders and legal professionals came together to explore how businesses and law firms can make “music” in an ever-changing and often unpredictable environment. Under the theme, “Listen to the Music! Performing Harmoniously in a Challenging Landscape,” discussions centered on the importance of creativity, adaptability, and collaboration in legal and business decision-making.
We were proud to see Eddy Hayes and George Fagan take the stage, each lending their expertise to critical conversations about regulatory changes, crisis management, and litigation risks.
Eddy Hayes on Loper Bright: A New Tune for Regulatory Authority
Leake Andersson partner Eddy Hayes participated in a panel discussion of the US Supreme Court’s Loper Bright decision at ALFA International’s recent International Client Seminar. Eddy focused on how the case impacts international trade and customs matters. Eddy first provided an overview of how the US Constitution allocates power over international commerce to Congress and how Congress delegates that authority to the Executive Branch. Numerous Executive Branch agencies administer the trade and customs laws, often utilizing the Administrative Procedure Act for rulemaking. Challenges to agency action in this area must be brought to the Court of International Trade, an Article III court with exclusive subject matter jurisdiction over trade and customs matters.
The panel discussed several recent CIT cases utilizing Loper Bright for an independent review of agency action without the benefit of deference, including one recent case where the Court rejected the agency’s legal interpretation of part of the US antidumping law. Eddy concluded by discussing recent challenges to the legal culpability standard of the Enforce and Protect Act and noting the newfound importance of legislative history to legal challenges under Loper Bright.
The More Things Change: What Happens Now After the U.S. Supreme Court in Loper Bright Has Turned Back the Clock to 1984?
Moderators:
- Richard A. Latta, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
- Byrona J. Maule, Phillips Murrah P.C.
Panelists:
- Edward T. Hayes, Leake Andersson, Principal Partner
- Antwan Philips, Wright Lindsey Jennings
- James Kezele, Keating Muething & Klekamp PPL
- Caren Ries, Champion Homes Inc., Associate General Counsel
- Jenna Yott, Supplemental Health Care, General Counsel and Chief Legal Compliance Officer
Pictured: Eddy Hayes and fellow co-panelists.
George Fagan on Litigation Risks: Keeping the Band Together When the Levee Breaks
Just as a well-rehearsed orchestra follows a score, businesses thrive on routine and predictable processes but when unexpected challenges such as class actions, mass tort claims, EEOC complaints, and disasters disrupt operations, companies must be ready to improvise to keep their businesses moving forward.
George’s panel explored…
- Crisis Management: How to respond swiftly when litigation or catastrophic events threaten a company’s stability and reputation
- Reputation Protection: Strategies for maintaining or earning back public trust and brand integrity.
- Litigation Readiness: The importance of flexibility and preparation when facing legal disruptions.
In moments of legal uncertainty, businesses must be prepared to adjust their tempo, pivot their strategy, and rely on a strong ensemble of legal counsel and leadership to navigate the storm.
Into the Breach: When the Levee Breaks
Moderators:
- George Fagan, Leake Andersson, Principal Partner
- Richard Hennessey, Morrison Mahoney LLP,
Panelists:
- Tamara Conn, O’Reilly Auto Parts, General Counsel & Sr. VP of Legal Services
- Richard Doherty, BrandSafway, Sr. VP, Assistant General Counsel & Head of Global Litigation
- Cassandra Fergusson, RSUI, Senior VP of Claims
Looking Ahead: Creating a Legal Soundtrack for Success
From regulatory changes to litigation risks, ICS 2025 reinforced that success in business and law requires more than just following a set score—it demands adaptability, collaboration, and the ability to perform under pressure.
A huge thank you to ALFA International for orchestrating another outstanding seminar!
