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Aerial view of the North Carolina State legislature building with the state seal

Budget Stalemates, Helene Relief and Shrimp Trawling: The Themes that Shaped the 2025 Long Session of the NC General Assembly

Written By Whitney Campbell Christensen and Marley H. Peterson

The North Carolina General Assembly entered the 2025 Long Session in January, motivated to enact additional Hurricane Helene relief and a new state budget. Lawmakers successfully enacted two substantial Helene relief pack…

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What to Do When Someone Steals Your Trade Secrets: A North Carolina Business Owner's Action Plan

Written By Isabelle M. Chammas, Angela P. Doughty, CIPP/US, AIGP, and Gavin B. Parsons

Your worst nightmare has become a reality: A former employee has taken your confidential information to a competitor. Maybe you've noticed unusual patterns in lost business, or perhaps another employee tipped you off abou…

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Federal Appellate Court Enjoins NLRB Proceedings, Concluding the NLRB’s Structure Is Likely Unconstitutional

Written By Chris S. Edwards and Avery J. Locklear

In Space Exploration Technology Corp. v. NLRB, No. 24-50627 (5th Cir. 2025) (“SpaceX”), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court’s preliminary injunctions that halted seve…

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Why Your Employees Are Your Biggest Trade Secret Risk (And What NC Business Owners Can Do About It)

Written By Will Oden, Gavin B. Parsons, and Hayley R. Wells

In today's digital workplace, protecting your company's trade secrets has never been more challenging. While external cyber threats make headlines, the reality is that your biggest risk often comes from within. For North …

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A Recent Fourth Circuit Opinion Signals a Potential Shift in Preliminary Injunction Analysis

Written By Chris S. Edwards

Attorneys practicing in the Fourth Circuit should take note of the Court’s recent published decision in American Federation of Teachers v. Bessent, No. 25-1282 (4th Cir. Aug. 12, 2025) (AFT). In that case, the U.S. …

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Your Most Valuable Business Asset Might Not Be What You Think: Trade Secrets for NC Business Owners

Written By Gavin B. Parsons, Joseph A. Schouten, and Mark S. Wigley

In today's digital age, your company's most valuable assets might not be the equipment on your factory floor or the inventory in your warehouse – they might be the confidential information stored on your servers.&nbs…

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