This year, the NFIB Small Business Legal Center celebrates 25 years of advocating for small business owners in court and educating them on key legal issues. Each year, the Legal Center is involved in over 40 cases nationwide. Last year was a record year for litigation, with seven new lawsuits filed. Here we share highlights from our most significant fights over the last 25 years.

Between 2010 and 2012, the Legal Center led a lawsuit challenging the individual mandate in President Obama’s signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act. NFIB’s efforts resulted in the case reaching the U.S. Supreme Court and the opinion NFIB v. Sebelius. Although the fractured decision upheld the individual mandate as a tax, our efforts boosted NFIB’s standing nationwide, and the case is now considered essential reading for law and history students.

In 2022, the Legal Center secured a major legal victory in the U.S. Supreme Court with NFIB v. OSHA. We successfully challenged a sweeping Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule that would have required employers to enforce a COVID vaccine mandate.

In just ten years, NFIB reached the Supreme Court twice, resulting in two landmark decisions. And last year, we made it to the Supreme Court again with our challenge to
the Beneficial Ownership Information reporting rule in the case of Texas Top Cop Shop v. Garland.

In 2024, we also filed a brief in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, a U.S. Supreme Court case that overturned Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. In a once-in-a-generation decision, the Court abolished “Chevron deference,” a legal doctrine that mandated judges to defer to government agencies’ interpretations of statutes.

In addition to our advocacy in the courts, we have actively supported small business owners with legal questions. During COVID, the Legal Center hosted a weekly webinar series for 24 months that helped our members navigate the uncertainties and challenges faced by small businesses during that time. Members credit NFIB’s assistance with saving their businesses.

The Legal Center also operates the NFIB Support Line, offering legal information and assistance to NFIB members on business operation matters like human resources, taxes, and contract disputes. Each year, the Legal Center’s Support Line responds to over 1,000 inquiries.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the NFIB Legal Center has achieved these successes for small businesses. On behalf of our team, thank you for your support over the past 25 years. We look forward to another 25 years of successful legal advocacy and support for small business owners.