A FANTASTICAL LOS ANGELES DISTILLERY IS CHALLENGING NEW YORK’S SHIPPING LAWS

A few weeks ago, we introduced you to Théron Regnier and his Los Angeles-based, fantasy-themed distillery, The Obscure. Théron is courageously challenging a discriminatory New York State law that restricts some out-of-state distilleries from shipping to in-state customers—hoping to pave the way for a freer, fairer craft distilling industry.  

Now, PLF’s Brittany Hunter takes us inside The Obscure’s lava walls and waterfalls for a deeper dive into Théron’s story and what makes this fight so meaningful—to him, his team, and the customers they serve. 

MUST READ ALASKA: ALASKANS FIGHT TO SAVE TIMBER INDUSTRY

Earlier this year, PLF attorneys filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the Alaska Forest Association and two of its member companies—Viking Lumber and Alcan Timber—challenging the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) seemingly intentional destruction of the Alaska timber industry.  

Federal law explicitly requires USFS to sell enough timber to meet annual market demand, but for years the agency has either fallen short of its obligations or outright refused to sell certain types of timber—known as “old-growth”—from the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska.   

This past Saturday, Must Read Alaska covered our clients’ fight and the impact of USFS’s dereliction of duty on the local economy—even highlighting a surprising connection between Tongass’s old-growth lumber and “the world’s finest pianos.” 

FEDERAL COURT RULES THE CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT VIOLATES THE FOURTH AMENDMENT

A federal court in Michigan has ruled that the Corporate Transparency Act—a law requiring small businesses to report their customers’ private information purportedly to combat financial crimes—violates privacy protections guaranteed under the Fourth Amendment.  

“Fighting financial crime is a legitimate goal, but the government cannot achieve it by violating constitutional rights,” argues PLF’s Daniel Woislaw. “If the government wants information, it must follow the law—just like everyone else.” 

LET NURSES WORK—REMOVING SUPERVISION RULES EXPANDS PATIENT ACCESS

PLF’s latest research shows that laws requiring Collaborative Practice Agreements hinder healthcare access and entrepreneurship—especially in rural and underserved communities. These regulations force advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)—a category that includes nurse practitioners and certified nurse-midwives—to secure costly and unnecessary supervision contracts with physicians before they can operate independently.  

As PLF attorney Donna Matias explains, “These licensing barriers not only restrict [APRNs’] right to work and serve their communities but also increase costs and reduce healthcare access for patients, without any proven benefits to safety.”