Phil Buffington Speaks at Alabama Bankers Association CEO Conference

Phil Buffington, a partner in the firm’s Banking & Financial Services Practice, spoke at the Alabama Bankers Association’s CEO Conference held August 1-3, 2024. His presentation focused on the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Chevron Doctrine.

Phil dissected the Supreme Court's decision, explaining that it eliminates the deference courts previously gave administrative agencies' decisions regarding ambiguous statutory language. This change should offer banks more opportunities to successfully challenge administrative actions, as courts will no longer automatically defer to the interpretation of ambiguous statutes by agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He highlighted that this shift should put banks and regulatory agencies on equal footing when disputing certain regulatory issues.

He noted that the ruling is not retroactive.

At Balch, Phil Buffington advises financial institutions throughout the United States on federal and state banking laws and regulations. For more than 30 years, he has served as a trusted advisor to community, regional and national financial institutions, helping them to assess and analyze regulatory and litigation risks. Phil counsels clients on a full range of issues, including federal and state regulatory matters, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, strategic planning, capital planning and offerings, evaluating and assisting in the development of new products and services, and responses to examinations and enforcement actions. His practice also includes commercial lending transactions, health care and insurance.

Phil has been recognized by Mid-South Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America^®, including as a former “Lawyer of the Year” in commercial finance law and the 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” in Banking and Finance Law in Jackson-MS.

The Alabama Bankers Association represents the banking industry in Alabama and serves as the official advocate before state and federal governments.