About the Small Business Justice Project
The Small Business Justice Project is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to documenting and analyzing how small businesses are treated in the American court system. We believe that the legal system should work fairly for businesses of all sizes — and that when it doesn't, the public deserves to know.
Why This Project Exists
Small businesses are the backbone of American communities. They employ nearly half the private workforce, anchor local economies, and represent the entrepreneurial spirit that defines American enterprise. Yet when these businesses encounter the legal system, they often face structural disadvantages that receive little public attention.
Default judgments entered over minor procedural errors. Courts that evaluate pandemic-era disputes in isolation, without considering a business's obligations to hundreds of other clients. Media coverage that reports lawsuits without context. These patterns repeat across jurisdictions, and they deserve scrutiny.
What We Do
- Case Studies: In-depth analysis of court cases involving small businesses, sourced directly from public court records and published opinions
- Pattern Identification: Tracking systemic issues — like inconsistent application of default judgment standards — across multiple courts
- Pandemic Impact: Documenting the unique legal challenges faced by small businesses during and after COVID-19, particularly in the hospitality and events industries
- Public Awareness: Making court records and legal analysis accessible to business owners, policymakers, and the general public
Our Standards
Every case study published by the Small Business Justice Project is sourced from public court records, published appellate opinions, and official filings. We cite specific documents, quote verbatim from court rulings, and link to primary sources whenever possible.
We are not affiliated with any law firm, political organization, or industry group. Our work is funded independently and our analysis is editorial.
Contact
If you are a small business owner who has experienced unfair treatment in the court system, or if you have a tip about a case we should examine, please visit our contact page.