The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Legal Center is marking its 25th anniversary this year. Established in 2000, the Legal Center has served as a legal resource and advocate for small business owners across the United States, participating in significant court cases and providing support to entrepreneurs.
Brad Close, President of NFIB, reflected on the organization's history: “Twenty-five years ago, the NFIB Legal Foundation, now called the NFIB Small Business Legal Center, was founded so that small businesses would have a voice across all three branches of the federal government. Over these 25 years, the Legal Center has provided individualized support to entrepreneurs, strengthened NFIB’s advocacy efforts through legislative and regulatory analysis, and stood up for important small business issues in courts across the country and in the U.S. Supreme Court. We are proud to celebrate this anniversary and everything the Legal Center has and will accomplish as we continue to fight for Main Street businesses.”
Beth Milito, Vice President and Executive Director of NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center, emphasized the personal impact of their work: “Behind every legal case that NFIB participates in, there is a small business owner who has been personally affected by the law, regulation, or rule we are challenging. Our members do not have the bandwidth, or often the resources, to fight these systemic issues alone. The work we do is to raise their voices and ensure that the needs of small businesses are heard by all levels of government. It’s been a historic 25 years, and we will continue to advocate in the courts for small businesses.”
Since its founding, the Legal Center has taken part in numerous lawsuits as both litigants and through amicus briefs. Three cases have reached the U.S. Supreme Court—including a recent challenge against Beneficial Ownership Information reporting rules—demonstrating NFIB's ongoing role as an advocate for small business interests.
The organization’s first lawsuit came soon after its launch in 2000 when it challenged changes made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding permits under the Clean Water Act. In another notable case following passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, NFIB filed suit arguing that Congress had exceeded its authority with health insurance mandates; although ultimately unsuccessful at overturning ACA entirely, this case established NFIB’s reputation as a prominent legal voice for small businesses.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021–2022, NFIB contested OSHA's emergency rule requiring vaccination or testing for employees at large private companies. The U.S. Supreme Court sided with NFIB in January 2022 by striking down this mandate—a decision reinforcing congressional authority over major policy questions rather than administrative agencies.
Currently active in more than 40 cases nationwide—including matters before federal courts and the Supreme Court—the NFIB Small Business Legal Center continues its mission to represent small business owners’ interests within America’s legal system.
