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DOD's Affirmative Action Program Unconstitutional

Client Alert | less than 1 min read | 11.06.08

The Federal Circuit in Rothe Dev. Corp. v. DOD (Nov. 4, 2008) has struck down as unconstitutional DOD's program under "section 1207" setting a goal of 5% of its contract dollars to small disadvantaged firms by giving them certain competitive advantages. The court found that Congress had not had before it sufficient evidence of specific discrimination in DOD contracting to satisfy the strict scrutiny standard required for legislation based on racial classifications.

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Client Alert | 4 min read | 02.20.26

SCOTUS Holds IEEPA Tariffs Unlawful

On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court issued a pivotal ruling in Trump v. V.O.S. Selections, negating the President’s ability to impose tariffs under IEEPA. The case stemmed from President Trump’s invocation of IEEPA to levy tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, China, and other countries, citing national emergencies. Challengers argued—and the Court agreed—that IEEPA does not delegate tariff authority to the President. The power to tariff is vested in Congress by the Constitution and cannot be delegated to the President absent express authority from Congress....