Landmark Court Ruling Declares Corporate Transparency Act Unconstitutional: What This Means for Small Businesses and Future Litigation

Birmingham, Alabama – In a significant ruling, the US District Court for the Northern District of Alabama declared the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) unconstitutional on March 1, 2024. The court granted summary judgment to Issac Winkles and the National Small Business Association (NSBA), as they argued that the CTA exceeded the federal government’s authority. As a result, the court issued an injunction favoring the named plaintiffs, providing them relief from complying with the CTA. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the US Department of Treasury further confirmed that it would not pursue any enforcement … Read more

Federal Judge Vacates NLRB’s Joint Employer Rule in Major Win for American Businesses

Dodgertown, USA – In a significant legal victory for American businesses, a federal judge on Friday evening overturned the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) “joint employer” rule that was set to take effect that day. The rule would have modified the standard used to determine joint-employer status and revoked a previous 2020 version of the rule that was perceived to be more favorable for employers. US District Judge J. Campbell Barker from the Eastern District of Texas declared in his final judgment that the new rule “would be contrary to law” and that rescinding the … Read more

Alabama Judge Deems Federal Corporate Transparency Act Unconstitutional: Implications for Businesses and Farms Nationwide

Montgomery, Alabama – A judge in Alabama has blocked the implementation of the federal Corporate Transparency Act. The act, which requires businesses, including farms, to report ownership and management details to the federal government, was deemed unconstitutional by the judge. However, it’s important to note that this ruling only applies to the plaintiff in the case, the National Small Business Association, and its impact on other businesses across the country remains uncertain. Legal expert Amy Ebeling from the Ruder Ware law firm in Wisconsin suggests that businesses with upcoming filing deadlines should still consider complying … Read more

China’s New State Secrets Law Sparks Concerns for Foreign Businesses Operating in the Country

BEIJING, CHINA – China has passed new rules that will broaden the scope of what can be classified as a state secret, raising concerns about transparency and potential liabilities. The updated state secrets law, set to take effect on May 1, includes a provision that extends precautions for state secrets to also cover unclassified information known as work secrets. The definition of work secrets encompasses information that could have an “adverse impact” if leaked. However, critics argue that the definition is vague and open to abuse, potentially limiting the public’s right to information. Jeremy Daum, … Read more