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Corporate Transparency Act Ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court

Client Alert
January 24, 2025

Over the past several weeks, the federal judiciary has provided numerous rulings on the enforceability of the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), which took effect on January 1, 2024. For a more detailed overview on the CTA, click here.

Most recently, on December 26, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reinstated a previous injunction barring enforcement of the CTA’s filing requirement for entities throughout the country.

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the government’s appeal of the Fifth Circuit’s December 26 decision, lifting the nationwide injunction. While many interpreted this ruling to reinstate the CTA’s reporting requirement, recent guidance from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCen”) makes clear that enforcement of the CTA’s filing requirement is still barred nationwide.

While the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the injunction on appeal before the Fifth Circuit, a separate nationwide injunction issued by a different federal judge on January 7, 2025 (Smith v. U.S. Department of the Treasury, Case No. 6:24-cv-336-JDK) remains in effect. FinCen continues to accept voluntary reporting, but as of this publication, businesses are not required to comply with the CTA’s filing requirements.

For guidance on complying with these updated requirements, business owners should reach out to their BMD legal advisors or contact BMD Member Blake Gerney at brgerney@bmdllc.com.

Corporate Transparency ActBusiness & Corporate LawBlake R. GerneyMichael SneeringerNathan AltstadtJacob R. Davis
Client Alert

DOT Non-Domiciled CDL Rule

March 11, 2026A new rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will significantly narrow eligibility for non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) beginning March 16, 2026. The rule limits eligibility to holders of H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visas and eliminates Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) as qualifying proof of work authorization. As a result, many lawfully present and work-authorized immigrants, including refugees, asylees, DACA recipients, and Temporary Protected Status holders, will no longer be able to obtain or renew a non-domiciled CDL. The change is expected to affect roughly 194,000 drivers nationwide and has prompted multiple legal challenges, including a pending emergency stay request before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.Client Alert

FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule Now in Effect

March 6, 2026FinCEN’s new Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule, effective March 1, 2026, requires certain real estate transfers to be reported to combat financial crimes. Transfers of residential property to entities or trusts without financing may require a Real Estate Report.Client Alert

Department of Education Proposes Redefinition of “Professional Degree,” Excluding Nursing and Limiting Graduate Loan Borrowing

February 20, 2026The U.S. Department of Education has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would redefine “professional degree” programs under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The proposal excludes nursing from the recognized list and would impose new borrowing limits for graduate students while eliminating the Grad PLUS program. Public comments are due by March 2, 2026.Client Alert

First-of-Its-Kind Federal Ruling Finds Use of Consumer AI Tool May Destroy Attorney-Client Privilege

February 17, 2026On February 10, 2026, Judge Jed Rakoff of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a first-of-its-kind ruling finding that documents generated by a criminal defendant using a consumer AI platform were not protected by attorney-client privilege after being shared with counsel. The court treated the AI tool as a third party, concluding that entering sensitive information into a publicly available platform may waive confidentiality. The ruling also suggests that the work product doctrine may not apply where AI-generated materials are created independently by a client rather than at counsel’s direction. The decision signals that parties should exercise caution when using consumer AI tools in connection with legal matters.Client Alert

Your Golden Chance for H-1B Lottery Registration - March 2026

February 16, 2026USCIS H-1B registration opens March 4–19, 2026. U.S.-based employees on valid nonimmigrant status are exempt from the $100,000 fee for change of status petitions. The new weighted lottery favors higher-skilled and higher-paid employees, improving odds for advanced degree holders and Wage Level 3 or 4 workers.
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